QGR5/264

Minute book of the Visiting Justices [third volume] [see also QGR 4/1-360]. Mentions straw plaiting, female prisoners' diet, tobacco smoke from Debtor's Ward pervading the building, gas, new prisoners' diet. Frontispiece includes prison rules and list of Visiting Justices. Page 264 includes the following:

7 January 1839

From: 1839 To: 1839

George P Livius, Stephen Thornton. 24 male prisoners, 3 female prisoners. One of the prisoners having effected an escape, it appears on investigation that the prisoner, Thomas Plowman, was committed on a charge of felony, for further examination, and that he was brought to the Gaol in the Saturday night previous to his escape at 10 o clock. At the time Mr Treganza was in his bed room and the Turnkey was in bed. Mr Treganza rang the Turnkey's bell, who went down to receive the prisoner, and took him and locked him up in the receiving room, the same room where every prisoner has been confined on his first admission into the Gaol. Mr Treganza came down to receive teh warrant and to see the Officers who brought the prisoner. The prisoner continued in this room until his escape, which took place on the Tuesday night follwing - on which night another prisoner was brought to the Gaol at 8 o clock and placed with him in the receiving room, as is the usual custom. [continued on QGR5/265]

item

Thornton, Stephen,
Livius, George P,
Treganza,
Short,
Plowman, Thomas

BEDFORD, Bedford Gaol, House of Correction, gaol, general justices of the peace, straw plaiting, tobacco, debt, gas, Quarter Sessions, magistrate, imprisonment, punishment, chaplains, gaoler, turnkey, surgeon, treadmill, crime, Game Laws, poaching, debtor, disease, transportation, illness, felony, highway robbery, escape from prisons