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Dorset / Re: portland convict prison
« on: Monday 03 September 12 16:23 BST (UK) »
Not sure where you would start to look other than court records. It is now called HMP The Verne.
It was originally a fortress, and then a prison and has been so ever since. I used to live there when I was a child - the verne is actually a citadel and has a community inside (or used to when I was small) the farm inside is still working, but all the houses and flats are closed - though the pub is still there I think.
The prison itself was further into the citadel, but back then the prisoners would wander about maintaining the community and farm quite freely!
As far as I can remember, it has always been a 'medium-low risk' prison, so not serious offences - things like burglary etc - weather it was that way in 1911 is anyones' guess. They did do 'hard labour' there and built many dry stone walls around the island.
I would write to The Governer at HMP VERNE and see if they can help in finding records.
It was originally a fortress, and then a prison and has been so ever since. I used to live there when I was a child - the verne is actually a citadel and has a community inside (or used to when I was small) the farm inside is still working, but all the houses and flats are closed - though the pub is still there I think.
The prison itself was further into the citadel, but back then the prisoners would wander about maintaining the community and farm quite freely!
As far as I can remember, it has always been a 'medium-low risk' prison, so not serious offences - things like burglary etc - weather it was that way in 1911 is anyones' guess. They did do 'hard labour' there and built many dry stone walls around the island.
I would write to The Governer at HMP VERNE and see if they can help in finding records.