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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Wiltshire => Topic started by: rogdodge on Thursday 09 January 14 08:00 GMT (UK)

Title: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: rogdodge on Thursday 09 January 14 08:00 GMT (UK)
I have a possible ancestor who was sentenced in 1880 at Swindon Police Court to serve 28 days hard labour at Devizes jail.

What does hard labour entail? Are there differences beween hard labour for a male and female prisoner?

I have been in touch with Wilts Archives to try and discover details of Devizes prisoners in 1880 but they do not have these records.

I would be most grateful for any help.

rog
Title: Re: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 09 January 14 08:31 GMT (UK)
Have a read of this! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penal_labour

Have you looked for the prison on the 1881 census?
Title: Re: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: rogdodge on Thursday 09 January 14 08:39 GMT (UK)
Thank you, KGarrad.
Rather more general than I am looking for, but an interesting read nevertheless.  :)
Title: Re: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: youngtug on Thursday 09 January 14 08:57 GMT (UK)
  http://youtu.be/gKlXd7FjPRQ
Title: Re: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: youngtug on Thursday 09 January 14 08:59 GMT (UK)
  And about 10.39 on this unless you want to see all of it;  http://youtu.be/_IuAK2RUOcg
Title: Re: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: youngtug on Thursday 09 January 14 09:16 GMT (UK)
Look,s like they had a treadmill at Devizes; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devizes_County_House_of_Corrections
Title: Re: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: rogdodge on Thursday 09 January 14 15:57 GMT (UK)
Thank you, youngtug,

Quite a bit for me to go through.  ;)

Can't find any records of prisoners though. My miscreant was only there 28 days (as far as I know) from mid March 1880 so would not show on 1881 census.
Title: Re: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: youngtug on Thursday 09 January 14 17:48 GMT (UK)
A little more;  http://www.devizesheritage.org.uk/devizes_prison_the_county_house_of_correctio.html
  and;   http://vcp.e2bn.org/prisoners/
Title: Re: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: fastfusion on Wednesday 15 January 14 22:47 GMT (UK)
not sure.....   but didnt some of the prisoners from the two gaols at Devizes do road works and other  public works??????   
Title: Re: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: youngtug on Wednesday 15 January 14 23:27 GMT (UK)
 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=116094
Title: Re: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: youngtug on Wednesday 15 January 14 23:31 GMT (UK)
  http://media.freeola.com/images/user-images/11200/prisonmisconductpunishments1879.jpg 
 Which was from;  http://www.devizesheritage.org.uk/prison_pg.html
Title: Re: Devizes Jail 1880
Post by: fastfusion on Thursday 16 January 14 09:07 GMT (UK)
good on ya young tug....  some very interesting reading from bho