QGR5/301

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 301 includes the following:

26 September 1840

From: 1840 To: 1840

George P Livius. On hearing this complaint I ordered William Waples to be brought before me to hear the charge and what he had to say in answer. He admitted having cut the blanket and made the rope. I ordered him to be confined in irons until the Sessions or until further orders from the Visiting Justices - subject to any alteration that may be requisite or out of his state of health, under the order of the medical attendant of the gaol. It is ordered that William Waples be watched during the night in order that he might not attempt self destruction, and that the irons be covered wiuth list to protect his legs from injury. William Miles acknowledges that he was led into the participation of the offence by William Waples and I have ordered him to be under confinement of irons for 24 hours and then to be kept in separate confinement until fuurther orders. It appears that a piece of tin to cut the blanket was found tied inside the flannel waistcoat of William Waples - being proof that the prisoners had no knives or other implements.

item

Livius, George P,
Higgins, Thomas Charles,
Higgins, W.B.,
Treganza,
Short,
Waples, William,
Miles, William,
Gilbert, John

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