this prison for the Michaelmas quarter, and persons desirous, or such as he deemed to be in transmitted a statement of the amount of that a proper frame of mind to receive it, although expenditure. his exhortations were unremitted. The chaplain reported, that divine service, according to the liturgy of the church of England, had been regularly performed, and a sermon preached every Sunday, and prayers read on every Thursday, and also service, with a sermon, on Good Friday and Christmas-day; that the prisoners had uniformly conducted themselves in an orderly manner, and had never been permitted to absent themselves from divine service. The chaplain was also happy to report the good order and management observed in the prison, and the ready assistance he had received from the keeper in the performance of this duty. Certificate of the Keeper. Essex. To the worshipful the chairman and Certificate of the Keeper. Essex.-To the worshipful the chairman and The keepers of the several prisons before mentioned respectively certified, that the rules laid down for the government of such prisons had been complied with. T. G. BRAMSTON, chairman. Chelmsford, 5th November, 1824. No. 19. FLINTSHIRE. To the right honourable his Majesty's principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, &c. &c. Flintshire.-General Report of his Majesty's Justices assembled at the Michaelmas Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held at Mold, in and for the County of Flint, on Thursday, the 21st day of October, 1824, in pursuance of the Act of the fourth of his present Majesty, c. 64, s. 24. Since the last general report of the justices assembled at the quarter sessions of the peace for the said county, on the 16th of October, 1823, no alteration whatever has taken place in the gaol or house of correction of the said county, or in the general management thereof. The chaplain reported, that in stating the result of his labours since his last annual report, he had to observe, in the first place, of the juvenile part of his charge, that they, with few exceptions, readily submitted to the tasks and lectures of catechism, and appeared likely to imbibe corresponding advantages, which was the more satisfactory, as they were for the most part grossly ignorant of all religious and moral duty, though many of them could read a little; and that, upon those of every age and class who from time to time were about to be discharged, he endeavoured to impress the importance of more strict attention to religious services, par- The reports of the visiting justices, since that ticularly on the Lord's day, and a more be- period, have been uniformly satisfactory; from coming regard to moral conduct; and that, which the justices now assembled are enabled to while the mind and spirit were affected, if not state, that no repairs, additions, or alterations subdued, by the dismal discipline of the place, he have been made or required in the said gaol or had reason to hope, from the manner in which house of correction; that no abuse or abuses of his admonitions were received, and the express any kind has or have been observed, or of which declaration of some of the individuals, that he any information had been received by them, should not see them again in similar circum- with respect to the management of the prisons, stances; and that, with respect to the sacra-or of the general state of the prisoners as to ment of the Lord's supper, he was sorry to state, morals, discipline, employment and hard labour, that he had not as often as he wished found and observance of rules. The duties of the chaplain appear to have been strictly and regularly performed on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday, in every week. And, according to the certificates of the keeper of the prisons, the rules thereof have been regularly complied with. moved to sleep in the unoccupied cells of the gaol. As to the manner in which the prisons are constructed, and the rules carried into effect, the magistrates beg leave to refer to the annual returns from the several keepers hereunto an All which is humbly submitted to the con- nexed. sideration of both houses of parliament. (Signed) JOHN WILLIAMS, chairman. 21st October, 1824. No. 20.-GLAMORGANSHIRE. Cardiff, 16th December, 1824. Sir, In reply to yours of the 6th instant, I beg leave to state, that there was no report made to the last Michaelmas quarter sessions, under the provisions of the 4 Geo. IV., c. 64, by the visiting magistrates or chaplain, so as to enable me, as clerk of the peace, to make a general report. I have, &c. JOHN WOOD, Clerk of the peace for Glamorgan. H. Hobhouse, esq. &c. &c. &c. No. 21.-GLOUCESTERSHIRE. The Magistrates of the County of Gloucester, assembled at Michaelmas General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, having inspected the Journals and Reports of the Visiting Justices, Chaplains, and Surgeons, and the Certificates of the Governor of the Gaol and Keepers of the several Houses of Correction within the said County, make this general Report: That certain alterations and additions being necessary in the gaol at Gloucester, according to the provisions of the act of the fourth of the king, c. 64, and according to the views of the magistrates, a committee has been appointed for carrying such alterations and additions into effect. That since the last year's report, the magistrates have the satisfaction to state, that the chaplains of the gaol and several houses of correction appear to have continued their usual attention to the moral and religious improvement of the prisoners; and also, that the medical gentlemen have been attentive to the health of the prisoners, of which very favourable reports have been presented at each quarter sessions, during the last year. That it has appeared from sessions to sessions within the last year, by the certificates of the governor of the gaol and keepers of the several houses of correction within the county, that the rules and regulations laid down for the government of the said prisons have uniformly been strictly complied with, and that without deviation, except in the county gaol, where, in consequence of the crowded state of the penitentiary house after the last assizes, the supernumerary prisoners of that division were obliged to be re The magistrates beg leave to transmit herewith plans of the several prisons, as required by the said act. GEORGE COOKE, chairman. Michaelmas sessions, 1824. No. 22. HEREFORDSHIRE. The general Report of the Clerk of the Peace for the County of Hereford, of the State of the Gaol and House of Correction for the said County, for the year ending at Michaelmas, 1824, read and approved at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held in and for the said County, on Monday, in the week next after the eleventh day of October, (that is to say) on the eighteenth day of October, 1824, before the Very Reverend John Lilly, Clerk, Chairman, the Honourable John Somers Cocks, commonly called Lord Viscount Eastnor, and others their companions, Justices of our Lord the King, assigned to keep the Peace in and for the County of Hereford, and Thomas Bird, Esquire, Clerk of the Peace for the same County, for three days. The attention of the reverend James Garbett, the chaplain of the said gaol and house of correction, to the duties of his office, hath been unremitted during the past year. It appears from the entries made by him, in the book kept in the said prison for that purpose, that he hath read morning and evening prayers, with a sermon, on each Sunday, and morning prayers on Wednesdays and Fridays; that he hath continued regularly to attend the schools established in the said gaol and house of correction, for the instruction of prisoners of both sexes in reading and writing daily; and hath performed such other duties as were mentioned in the last annual report. That the annual report of the said James Garbett at these sessions is so creditable to him, and satisfactory to the court, that they have directed the clerk of the peace to annex a copy thereof to this report, marked with the letter (A). That the committee of magistrates appointed at each general quarter sessions of the peace for visiting and superintending the gaol and house of correction, have, in the book of entry kept in the prison for that purpose, from time to time expressed their approbation of the performance of the several duties of their respective offices, by the keepers and others employed within the said prison; and have made quarterly reports to the magistrates in quarter sessions assembled, copies whereof respectively, so far as regards the said gaol and house of correction, are also hereunto annexed by way of appendix, marked with the letters (B) (C) (D) and (E). That "hibits a fair and gratifying specimen of the in the present state of the funds of the county, "effects resulting from a well-organised system the rate being chargeable with a heavy debt," of discipline upon the moral conduct and occasioned by the recent erection of a shire-hall," habits of the prisoners. The three powerful courts of justice, a house for the accommodation" instruments of reform within the walls of a of his majesty's justices of assize, and the en- "prison are classification, hard labour, and reli largement of the house of correction,-the ma- "gious instruction; and the absence of either gistrates in sessions have thought it advisable to "must greatly impede, if not wholly prevent, delay the erection of some of the additions re- "that greatest and best of all good works, the commended by the committee in their report at "reclaiming a fellow-creature from vicious the last Epiphany sessions. And the magistrates" principles and profligate pursuits, and return. have been induced to come to this conclusion," ing him to society with such a deep and from there having hitherto been no prisoners," abiding sense of civil and moral obligations or only one prisoner, on many occasions, coming" upon his mind, as shall influence him to upwithin the description contained in several of "right and virtuous conduct. The county the classes enumerated in the act passed in the" goal of Hereford presents to the most super. fourth year of the reign of his present majesty ; "ficial observer the appearance of cleanliness, consequently, the classification of the prisoners "regularity, and order; and to the more dis. could be effected without all the additional" cerning eye, the operation of a judicious and buildings pointed out by the committee. "salutary system, admirably calculated to effect That the alteration recommended by the com- "the two important objects contemplated by mittee at the last Epiphany sessions, viz. the" the law in the infliction of punishment the removal of a wall between two of the cells in" repression of crime, and the reformation of the the female prisoners' ward, for the purpose of "offender. forming a day camp for one of the classes of "The chaplain feels much satisfaction in female prisoners, hath been carried into effect;" bearing testimony to the general good conand that the recommendation of the visiting "duct of the prisoners, as orderly, submissive, magistrates, contained in their report at these" industrious, respectful, invariably attentive sessions, of the erection of a sufficient number" to religious and moral instruction, and mani. of additional cells for vagrants, hath been ap-"festing a praiseworthy anxiety to acquire the proved of at these sessions, and will be carried" knowledge of letters, and unwearied perseinto effect as soon as may be, in manner directed" verance in prosecuting so laudable an o1ject. by the said act, the necessary notice having been" Within the last twelve months, twenty pri inserted in the Hereford Journal. soners who came into the gaol ignorant of the That the salary of the chaplain for the said " alphabet, have learned to read the Bible, and gaol and house of correction was, at the last" a much greater number have attained sufTrinity sessions, ordered to be augmented from "ficient knowledge to enable them to improve one hundred and twenty pounds to one hundred" themselves. During the same period, the and eighty pounds per annum, in consideration" chaplain is warranted in thinking, that many of the very exemplary manner in which he had" prisoners have quitted the gaol reformed in discharged the duties of his office, and not as "principle and practice; and others, he is disthe fixed amount of salary to a future chaplain. "posed to hope, have imbibed impressions which That the salary of Samuel Can, esquire, the" will never be entirely eradicated. surgeon of the said goal and house of correction, was at these sessions ordered to be increased" to the sum of seventy pounds per annum. The annual report of Mr. James Keene, the "little to condemn. There have been many keeper of the said prison and house of correction," delivered by him in court at these sessions, is the last year, and there are several now, hereto also annexed. (Signed) JOHN LILLY, chairman. October sessions, 1824. Read and approved in court. THOS. BIRD, clerk of the peace. "But a regard to truth forbids the chaplain to indulge in indiscriminate praise; for, though "there is much to commend, there is not a prisoners in the county gaol in the course of "whose bad principles are so deeply rooted, and "their vicious habits so firmly established, "that no good impressions can be made upon "them: they appear to be so hardened in sin, "and so dead to shame, that no arguments ca "convince their understandings, no persuasion. The Appendix to the foregoing Report. "affect their hearts. Notwithstanding, how (A.)- The Report of James Garbet, Clerk, |“ ever, these untoward and discouraging ar M. A. to the Magistrates in General Quarter "cumstances, there is much to be pleased with, Sessions assembled, on Monday, the 18th day" and much to be thankful for, in the actual of October, 1824. "Conformably to the regulations of the new "prison act, the chaplain to the county gaol of "Hereford makes the following report: "The present state of the county prison ex 66 state of the county prison; and there is no “just reason to doubt, but that a persevering " adherence to the principles, rules, and regula"tions established therein, will fully answer, if 66 not exceed, the expectations of the magis "trates and the county at large, in reforming " probably be effected at less than one half the "offenders, and thereby promoting the public" expense of the former. good. "That with the same views of classifying "The chaplain concludes his report with as- "the prisoners according to the provisions of "suring the magistrates, that no pains shall be "the act before mentioned, the visiting magis"wanting on his part to accomplish the import-"trates are of opinion, that it will be advis"ant ends of his appointment; and he humbly" able to take down a partition wall between "hopes that by the Divine blessing on his la-“ two of the cells hitherto appropriated as "bours, they will not be in vain. state of cleanliness, repair, industry, and dis"cipline; that they have not observed any "abuse or abuses therein; and that a new mill "for grinding corn by the labour of ten prison ers has been erected, and successfully worked, "since the last report. "That the number of persons (including "debtors) who were committed in the year "1822, was 299; and in the year 1823, was « 276. "That the number of persons confined on the "first day of January, 1823, was 75; and the "number on the first day of January, 1824, was 62. 66 "working-rooms for females, and to erect a "chimney within the same, so as to form a day camp for one of the classes of female "prisoners. "That the amount of the earnings of the prisoners employed in labour during the year" 1823, was £102 12s. 6d., of which sum 66 £65 128. 5 d. were appropriated to the uses "of the county; £20 16s. 3 d. to the uses of prisoners; and £16 3s. 8§d. to the uses of "the keeper. 66 "Lastly, the visiting magistrates suggest to the consideration of sessions, that city prisoners be received for the future in the county gaol, on payment of a weekly sum, proportioned to the expenses of the establish"ment, and to the prices of articles used for "clothing and diet; the visiting magistrates "That the rules and regulations prescribed having reason to believe that the magistrates "by the act of the fourth of Geo. IV. have" of the city are willing to guarantee the pay"been and continue to be progressively and "ment of 5s. per week for each prisoner, under “gradually adopted; but they cannot be acted" present circumstances, which the visiting on altogether, until some alterations or " additions be made in the construction of the "prison. 66 magistrates deem a reasonable compensation. (Signed) "HEN. WETHERELL. "JOHN DUNCUMB." (C.)-The Report of the Visiting Magistrates of the Gaol and House of Correction, at the Easter General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the said County, held on Monday, the 26th day of April, 1824. "That it appears to the visiting magistrates "that there are two modes of effecting these 66 purposes; the one by erecting twelve new "cells, with suitable airing-grounds, on the "north side of the debtors' yard, with an en"trance from the slip yard, on the right of the "prison door; and the other by building six "The visiting magistrates, adopting the re"cells only in the slip yard itself, and by ap-"gulations and instructions of the act of 4th "propriating six of the cells hitherto intended" Geo. IV. c. 64, s. 23, report, for the informa"for female debtors, to the purposes required by "tion of sessions, that the number of prisoners "the act; videlicet, three cells for persons con- now in confinement is 73, being one less than "demned, three for those charged with misde-"were in confinement on the first day of "meanors, or detained for want of security, Epiphany sessions. "three for vagrants, and three for accomplices "admitted to give evidence for the crown. "That the visiting magistrates recommend "the adoption of the latter plan, which can 66 66 "That the prison is in the best state and "condition; that with the aid of a new mill, "the expenses of which amounted to 135/. 16s., "and are included in the accounts of the qua 66 "ter, 854 bushels of grain have been ground" satisfied that the general state of the pri "since 1st of January last, by the prisoners soners, as to health, cleanliness, instruction, "sentenced to hard labour, and that the two "and employment, is highly creditable to the "mills are fully equal to the grinding 100" officers of the establishment. Since the last "bushels every week. On this subject the " quarter sessions, 658 bushels of grain have "visiting magistrates have found, that the "been ground in the prison. "quantity sent by individuals is not equal to "They further report, that in execution of "the powers of the mills, and are therefore of" orders made at the last sessions, a day camp "opinion, that the governors of the infirmary" for one of the classes of female prisoners has "should be reminded of their engagement to "been prepared and fitted up, and also a boun "send their wheat to be ground in the prison," dary wall built on the west side of the "by which they would effect a considerable" garden. "saving. "They further report, that the boundary "fence on the west side of the prison grounds " is insufficient for the protection of the gar"dens; that an estimate has been made of the 66 expense of building an adequate wall of brick, "in lieu of the present paling and hedge, "and that the amount of such estimate is "367. 19s. (Signed) "HEN. WETHERELL (E.) The Report ef the Visiting Magistrates of the Gaol and House of Correction, at the October General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held on Monday, the 18th day of October, 1824. "The visiting magistrates have observed no "The undersigned visiting magistrates re"abuse or abuses in the management of the pri- " port, that the prison is in the best state and 66 son; but, on the contrary, they believe that "condition; that they have observed no abuses "the general state of the prisoners, as to health," in its management; but, on the contrary, "cleanliness, instruction, morals, discipline," believe that the general state of the prisoners, "employment, hard labour, and observance of " as to health, cleanliness, morals, discipline, “rules, is particularly good, and highly cre- "and observance of rules, is particularly good, "ditable to the keeper, surgeon, chaplain, task-" and highly creditable to the keeper, surgeon,' 66 master, and every other officer of the esta-" chaplain, and every other officer on the "establishment. "blishment. "The visiting magistrates, in consequence of "They further report, that 7384 bushels of "the surgeon's report, have allowed a third" grain have been ground in the corn-mills by "meal to the prisoners working at the corn- "the prisoners sentenced to hard labour during “mill, and to the women engaged in washing: " the last quarter; and that they are fully "the costs of this additional meal is less than" adequate to the grinding 100 bushels in every one penny each. "week. "They also report, that no expense has been incurred by improvements, alterations, or additions to the prison since the erection of "the western boundary wall in the spring of “this year, and that none are required under "The visiting magistrates submit to the con"sideration of sessions, the propriety of abolish-" "ing the practice of prisoners' friends having" 66 access to them by tickets or otherwise on "Sundays, or of limiting the privilege to two "particular hours, to be stated in the future" the last act for regulations of gaols, except "tickets of admission. (Signed) "H. HOSKYNS. "HEN. WETHERELL. "three or four cells for vagrants, which may "be constructed at an expense of about 150, "and without which this description of offenders cannot be classed according to the provisions "of the act referred to. "They also report, that the number of persons now confined is 54, being two less than on the corresponding day of the last year. "Lastly, the visiting magistrates recommend that Emanuel Brydges, sentenced to 18 "months' imprisonment at the last March "The visiting magistrates report, for the "assizes, be recommended to the royal mercy, "information of sessions, that the number of " in consideration of his former good character, "prisoners now in confinement is 80, being" and his proper behaviour since his confine. "three more than were in confinement on the "ment: and that Ann Black also be recom. "first day of Easter sessions. "mended to the royal clemency, on the strong "They further report, that the prison is in" grounds stated by the chaplain to the prison,' "the best state and condition as to repairs and" and confirmed by the observations of the "discipline, and that no abuse or abuses in the visiting magistrates, that she has been in conmanagement thereof have come to their know-"finement more than four years, and during "ledge; on the contrary, they are perfectly" that time she has been exceedingly indus (D.) The Report of the Visiting Magistrates |