Southwell House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Southwell County House of Correction, Southwell County Gaol, Southwell Prison

Prison Type   Local Prison -  House of Correction/Bridewell

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1808

Date closed   1880

Location   Burgage Green   Southwell

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Nottinghamshire

Critical Remarks

An earlier House of Correction, which this prison replaced, was located further up Burgage Lane and opened in 1611.

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Southwell County House of Correction, Southwell County Gaol, Southwell Prison

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1808

Date closed   1880

Location   Burgage Green   Southwell

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   53.0812  Long.   -0.9506

County   Nottinghamshire

Critical Remarks

An earlier House of Correction, which this prison replaced, was located further up Burgage Lane and opened in 1611.

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   396

Daily Greatest number   -   105

 

Year 1824

Annual Committed   -   546

Daily Census   -   90

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   688

Daily Census   -   124

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   887

Daily Census   -   137

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   624

Daily Census   -   85

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   966

Daily Census   -   104

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   798

Daily Daily average   -   87

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   585

Daily Daily average   -   104

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   615

Daily Daily average   -   110

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   826

Daily Greatest number   -   158

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   602

Daily Daily average   -   93

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   412

Daily Daily average   -   66

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   521

Daily Daily average   -   117

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.532
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.38
  • [Second] Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1820), p.51; Fifth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1823), Appendix, p.91; Seventh Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1827), Appendix, p.121; Eighth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1832), Appendix, p.36
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.210; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.208; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.185; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.218; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.194; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.192; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.185; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.185; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.199; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.185; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.181; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.120; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.120; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.125; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.120; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.128; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.133; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.135; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.136; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.138; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.166; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.161; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.175; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.176
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.48
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern, Third Report (Parl. Papers, 1837-38, XXXI.1), p.22; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.565), p.6; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXI.1), p.81; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXIX.227), p.1; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Tenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXIV.1), p.164; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland and Eastern District, Fourteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1849, XXVI.1), p.48; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.291), p.194; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Sixteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.461), p.177; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Seventeenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1852-53, LII.1), p.82; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Eighteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1856, XXXIII.1), p.52; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Nineteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1856, XXXIII.385), p.58; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Twentieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1857, Session 1, VII.313), p.46; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Twenty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1857, Session 2, XXIII.1), p.41; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1859, Session 1, XI.1), p.108; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.1), p.101; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.229), p.99; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1861, XXIX.45), p.99; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.93), p.95; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.233), p.94; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.1), p.88; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.1), p.85; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.529), p.126; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.169), p.64; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.337), p.123; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.389), p.153; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.417), p.158; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.417), p.158; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.421), p.158; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.417), p.154
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.68; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.89

Additional Primary Sources

  • William White, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Nottinghamshire (2nd edn, Sheffield & London, 1885-6), p. 582; Rev Thomas Becher, A report concerning the House of Correction at Southwell (Newark, 1806)

Secondary Sources

  • http://www.southwellhistorysociety.co.uk/page22.html; Rob Smith, Nottinghamshire House of Correction, Southwell: A model institution (Southwell and District Local History Society, c2015).

Management

Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/4/1047-1051

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Letters to M. Mole, Governor of House of Correction, and one regarding theft of bank notes for county expenses being carried to Southwell by the Governor of House of Correction, along with a caravan of prisoners

Dates: 1828


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/4/184

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Copy of two letters between Parsons and Benn at Mansfield and E. A. Johnson, Keeper of Southwell House of Correction

Dates: 1837


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/3

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft circulars, adverts relating to posts, plans and improvements to County Gaol and Southwell House of Correction

Dates: 1807-1842


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/4/376-378

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Letters from Chairman of Quarter Sessions regarding House of Correction extensions, numbers of prisoners &c

Dates: 1829


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/4/612

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Returns, report and papers on Southwell House of Correction

Dates: 1824


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/4/94-98

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Letters from Chairman of Quarter Sessions suggesting Liberty JPs for county commission - Southwell needs more on account of House of Correction

Dates: 1837-1838


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/1/10-88

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Includes correspondence, memos, minutes about land purchase, financial arrangements, expenses, salaries etc relating to improvements to County Gaol. Also reference to the House of Correction.

Dates: 1830-1838


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/2/5-50

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Rules and papers concerning government of prison. Includes matters such as prisoners condemned to death, debtors, officers, dietary, separation and administration. Also applicable to the House of Correction.

Dates: 1801-1872


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/5/102-111

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Annual and quarterly reports by officials, report of Building Committee, rules, estimates

Dates: 1823-1877


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/5/1-85

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Material relating to erection and enlargement of Southwell House of Correction, including systems of prisoner management

Dates: 1806-1834


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/5/280-287

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Miscellaneous papers

Dates: 1808-1871


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QF/CT/12/17-43

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Orders sometimes include material relating to the County Gaol and House of Correction

Dates: 1832-1863


Archive name: Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre

Catalogue ref: A1/516/3

Collection: Wiltshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Accounts of prisoners employed in the manufacture of trades, with statements of earnings and maintenance costs, Southwell, Notts

Dates: 1808


Archive name: Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre

Catalogue ref: A1/516/4

Collection: Wiltshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Printed papers concerning gaol administration in other counties, including explanation of plans for House of Correction at Folkingham, Lincoln, and Southwell (1807). Also, report on Southwell (1813).

Dates: 1807, 1813


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/5/236

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft report of Visiting J.P.s. Resignation of matron and advert. Salaries of matron and task-mistress to be made a little more equal in proportion to duties. Also general report re officers and prisoners.

Dates: 1844?


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/2/1-4

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Reports of Visiting Justices, Governor, Surgeon and Chaplain, Governor's certificates, annual draft report to Secretary of State (jointly with House of Correction)

Dates: 1824-1877


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/4/575

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence regarding reports of visiting JPs and Prison Inspectors

Dates: 1837


Finance

Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/5/263-279

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Miscellaneous financial papers

Dates: 1822-1882


Staff

Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/3/38

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft advert, Chaplain to House of Correction

Dates: 1841


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/2/25

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Copy letter to Archbishop of York, notifying him of appointment of Chaplains to Gaol and House of Correction, according to Act

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/5/241-262

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Material relating to position of Chaplain of Southwell House of Correction, including resignations, adverts, applications etc

Dates: 1841-1864


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/3/35

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft advert, Governor, Southwell House of Correction

Dates: 1834


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QF/CT/10/10

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Acc. Between Treasurer of South D and Charles Barton, Governor of House of Correction, Southwell

Dates: 1822


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QF/CT/18/9

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence relating to applications for the governorship of the House of Correction at Southwell

Dates: 1834


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/5/112-227

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Material relating to position of Keeper / Governor of Southwell House of Correction, including appointments, bonds, complaints etc

Dates: 1806-1849


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/5/85

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Appointment of Keeper. Silent system. Finance committee

Dates: 1834


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/3/123

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft circular to JPs Southwell Sessions regarding appointment of matron to House of Correction

Dates: 1836


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/5/228-237

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Material relating to position of Matron of Southwell House of Correction, including resignations, adverts, applications etc

Dates: 1838-1844


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/5/238-240

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Application and testimonials re post of Surgeon

Dates: 1827, 1851, 1870-1871


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/3/31

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft advert, Southwell House of Correction, enlargements

Dates: 1826


Prisoners

Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/5/71

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Report of numbers in prison and state of prison, and report of complaints by prisoners that shoes worn out by discipline wheel, and suggestions for remedy

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QS/NK/12/1-6

Collection: Newark Borough Quarter Sessions

Description: Copy returns of prisoners committed at the Sessions to the Borough Gaol and Southwell House of Correction

Dates: 1805-1806, 1810-1813


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/1/32-49

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence relating to (among other matters) building of Southwell House of Correction (on site of brickyard)

Dates: 1832-1833