QGR2/2/2/8

Report of the Chaplain of the County Gaol for the year ending Michaelmas 1862. George Maclear.

14 October 1862

From: 1862 To: 1862

Comments on the increase in the number of prisoners. Appended tables giving numers from each parish and from outside the County, ages, level of education of County and of Middlesex prisoners. Of the Middlesex prisoners he comments: Thus uncontrolled by any religious influences, and exposed to the pernicious power of evil communications and bad example, notwithstanding their abilities and attainments they broke loose from the conventional restraints of shame, position and character, became conversant with almost every form of moral and social evil, and as the natural consequence are now the inmates of a prison. How obvious it is that neither intellect however powerful, nor mere secular education however extrensive, can constitute the safeguard of moral conduct! Believes the employment of young men in field keeping leads them to become poachers. Believes another cause is drunkenness.

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BEDFORD, Middlesex, gaol, House of Correction, general justices of the peace, crime statistics, crime, imprisonment, punishment, chaplains, prison governors, Quarter Sessions, religion, Christianity, morality, EDUCATION, Game Laws, poaching, guns, drunkenness