Devizes Jail 1880

[rogdodge]

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

[KGarrad]

Have a read of this! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penal_labour

Have you looked for the prison on the 1881 census?

[rogdodge]

Thank you, KGarrad.
Rather more general than I am looking for, but an interesting read nevertheless. 

[youngtug]

  http://youtu.be/gKlXd7FjPRQ

[youngtug]

  And about 10.39 on this unless you want to see all of it;  http://youtu.be/_IuAK2RUOcg

[youngtug]

Look,s like they had a treadmill at Devizes; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devizes_County_House_of_Corrections

[rogdodge]

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.

[youngtug]

A little more;  http://www.devizesheritage.org.uk/devizes_prison_the_county_house_of_correctio.html
  and;   http://vcp.e2bn.org/prisoners/

[fastfusion]

not sure.....   but didnt some of the prisoners from the two gaols at Devizes do road works and other  public works???