Scottish Prison Registers - How to use them and where to find them

[ScottishAncestry]

I have just written an article about Scottish prison records that you may find useful.

https://www.scottishindexes.com/learningprison.aspx

When we discover that our ancestors came upon difficult times, we have a greater opportunity to delve into their lives and find out more about them. As a large proportion of the ‘working class’ Victorian population was in prison at one point or another, there is a high chance that one of your ancestors will appear in a prison register.

I hope this guide proves to be useful.

Emma

[Dieter1865]

Excellent work there Emma. If any paperwork surfaced for the boys correction ship the Empress, I'd be most interested.  I've a step relative connected to my family who was sentenced as a youth to years on this ship at Govan P.C. Dec 1915.  It was the start of his life long criminal career. 

Will keep a close eye on this collection as I've researched Victor extensively and have all his court cases from Kew in London and would love to compare his claims in the book about his 1st conviction against the court case itself.

[Forfarian]

Just my luck - my several-greats-grandfather was in prison in Dundee in the 1851 census, but Dundee Prison isn't on your list

[dowdstree]

Thanks for this information Emma.

An ancestor of my late husband was sent to prison in Peebles around 1848 and the record is there
He was a carter from Bonnyrigg. I will get the actual record now and see what he was imprisoned for.

Dorrie

[Poppy62]

Hi Everyone

I'm trying to access the Scottish prison records via the link. I'm not having any success as it comes up that there is an error.
Is anyone else having trouble. 


Rosie

[dowdstree]

Hi Rosina,

I have not had a problem and have received the record I wanted.

Dorrie

[pharmaT]

My 3x grt grandmother was imprisoned in Ayr prison.  She was sentenced to 10 years after her and her husband had stolen some food.  He got 6 years even though the court reports he was equally involved and equally guilty.  The judge ruled that she should serve a longer sentence as it was all her fault.  Her husband would not have felt the need to do it had she "not allowed herself to get pregnant".  I am unclear on how the judge came to think that her husband was not also an equal partner in creating the pregnancy not am I sure how he expected her to avoid pregnancy.
.

[Poppy62]

 Thank you I'm there now.

Rosie

[Rosinish]

As an aside...

Was fascinated by these when I discovered them!

http://87.106.105.143/inverarayjail/index.php

An example...

"Archibald McLACHLAN
Prisoner No unknown
AGE 15
CRIME Theft of a turnip from a field
SENTENCE 20 days imprisonment or 16/8" 
 
"TRIED 14 November 1846
by D. McNeill JP
 
Marital Status Single
Address Born & Resident: Lochgilphead
Occupation Labourer
 
Further Information
Admitted 14 November 1846
Released 4 December 1846 (20 days in Inveraray Jail)"

Annie