QGR5/272

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 272 includes the following:

23 March 1839

From: 1839 To: 1839

Francis Pym. Maddmas is confined in his cell. Heard no complaints except from E[lizabeth] Williams - which appears to be quite without foundation. Her own obstinate and intractable temper has rendered her confinement necessary it appears to be still unsubdued. The Governor pointed out the female debtors ward with the sleeping room over it which have never been used but once in 20 years as a very desirable place for the Assistant Turnkey to sleep as it commands a view of the north side of the prison and the boundary wall where [Thomas]Plowman escaped, and would afford the Gaol additional security as noone now sleeps in the prison except the Governor.

item

Pym, Francis,
Treganza,
Short,
Maddams, George,
Williams, Elizabeth,
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, food & drink, escape from prisons