Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QGR2/3/1/4
  • Title
    Report of the prison governor Robert Evan Roberts to Bedfordshire Easter Sessions 1863. With table showing number of prisoners for trial, convicted prisoners and summarily convicted with offences. Includes the following comments:
  • Date free text
    28 March 1863
  • Production date
    From: 1863 To: 1863
  • Scope and Content
    The two prisoners Joseph Ricketts and Joseph Jarman recommended by the Visiting Justices at the last Quarter Sessions for a commutation of sentence, they having assisted to rescue warden [Richard] Cookson from the violent attack of a prisoner named [Henry] Oliver have since been pardoned, the former discharged 28th February and the latter on the 16th March last. The prisoners referred to were Middlesex prisoners. On the 23rd January another of the Middlesex prisoners Patrick Shannon was detected in having wilfully andmaliciously set fire to certain articles in the cell in which he was lawfully confined thereby calculated to endanger the lives of the other inmates, he circumstance was such that I deemed it my duty to bring the case under the notice of teh Visting Justices. And after careful and searching investigation by them into the matter they directed that the prisoner should be prosecuted for the offence, and he was accordingly tried at the late Assizes, convicted, and sentenced to 14 years penal servitude, and has subsequently been removed to Millbank under a special order issued by the Secretary of State dated 24th March. This man's conduct throughout his imprisonment was of the worst description, quite incorrigible, repeatedly threatening the lives of the Governor and Officers and on more than one occasion endeavoured to incite the other prisoners into a state of insubordination, in fact, he was one continual source of annoyance, trouble and anxiety, and it was only by exercising great caution and judgement that he was prevented from inflicting permanent injury upon one or other of the officeers of the prison. During the Quarter 37 Middlesex prisoners have been discharged and 30 other shvae been received in their stead. David Beard, James Salt, John Wright and John Neal under sentence of penal servitude were removed to Millbank on the 19th March. Interior of the prison needs a thorough cleansing, painting and whitewashing.
  • Level of description
    item
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