The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-08-28 00:00:00

10.
1117,onsmit4
:kndOn bhol'llioflorouth
e"P• their-nhserverinn.; trrgether,eith tbirilii.
"61'44 the Retdeore taken before .thens•irAte.
lime *time, to the Homo.; sods° "wheat sirrerrd.,i
'llie'n'n the Pfhortel. (v Debt in Wisitoovose.
street P. was ilowned 1 owl wiso.'restera illy,
Ll7Cied % .ellquile into theitate of Dartmoor
rttvon, eh- re report *Whet its is topetle of
Th-c-ii"'ll eNsiotei hate forther•esetaiudAAtitel
matters to the, famed, and agreed epos tbefol.
lowing K•phru., , • - ":. •• ' "*. • -
(111.7911311ATRISET PiligoN. . •
'ld" Pil"P"-sfrio. Priaosti• until the end of then
year 1815, wee sleoasissated. the. Giltspor.street
Colopter, for debtore awl delintrents apprehended.
the City of Landon, eounected with the Ludgate
Priam', solely for debtors wise are freemen of the
City, and both were eaitesiaely, as thelrrison now.
for enremitmente withib the jurisdiction of the,
I. On the removal of.tbe debtors se Whitecrow
feet, that of • the prison formerly occupied by,
sueb pawns, wee toneerted•into a Jivess of car?,
reek's' for those senteneed-se•bord lobos, for felooles,
Inds's° a piece of confinement for thosegailly of lu-
rks end misdemeanours: • • • • ,• .
The objects ...! Police, for whirls this prison is
,w Ise apart, aro three :•--lat. f
thor
the t recep
-data.,
tioa
what are tolled eighl4cAarges•'s l iso,
orderly parsons apprehended 'and lodged slime for
the night in a lock.op.room; and each persons
ire regularly reported to the Magistrates every
asorning.-241. For the detention-of accused persons
Ail ezarniviestieri, end who are remanded for fur.
ler examination ; or for vagrants, either natives
ritostlplSce of-lettlement cennot be immediatly es.
certainkl,4eforeigeees apprehended- in the Ceity; of
sbich flout description• this priton,.in•the two pre-
ceding yearryttes redeived•-and' relieved a very great
number. -3d; What is vatted -tin. House of Come.
tion, whereThiseetenteneed to bard labour Brecon•
ined,_arid those dommitted for • tumults 'end vas.
demedetters.' The first head refers 'merely to a rs.•
celviwg.thom, ' Angier •to' a 'woooh.hosis of other
place of nActdrnal detention,' and resistive. ,no par.
tliselat noticeirs peculiar to the. establishment of a
wieon. The,, second bead, however, is of a very
different character, and Melt be more minutely de.
Scribed. -Under this head, that part of . the prison.
Ipproprleted to itcused•persone and Tweets, is di.
tided so as to- give distinct accommodation for males
Ad &mares ;4••attd .111441 the risco is not crowded,
lifirditii means' of 'lmpz • dog men from boys. • This
is
Id, it is understood was bilk on a plan sug-
gested by Me. Howard. • .
There are Iwo rows of cells; each cell'messering
eight .feet by seven, and opening, in opposite di.
**lons, into two airiest yards; thosetwo
rows of
cells ere separated by a narrow passage, which runs
:troegh the centre of the building; end by a- pion
ar.
!Won in the middle of this passage, which partit
so built es to admit of a fire.olece on each side ;•
is converted into what are termed two day.roonn,•,
each '24 feat .long and .four feet wide. From these
day.rommihere is a grated cotensuaioation with each
cell, for tiro admission-of air end warmth; 'and as a•
fire is kept in 'eras day.roons, it was- espeeted at
bf means of thee* grated commuoicetlene -cold sod•
(tulip would be Materially:lessened,' or altogether
obviated. The cells ere--paved z with. stone, end.in
each there is teWooded bedstead, en erbieh is laid w.
tick bed staffed with *stsow,..with turfs,: which. are
rtipplied accnitling•to the number confined, and the.
Seasion'of the year. • • '•-• ;- • r• - - -... •:- • •
'On this pact of the prison yow‘Cormaittee.easset
Mike a fired-YAM* Ittiptirll • bet what. are owned, .
day-rooms are not rooms swill, as their 'dimensions
demonstrate; they erelong, narrow, darkopassages,•
with a fire:place at the end; to w hich •firbbpbree it is
obvious, as the passage ii -only four feet wide* not
above tweet'r three of the prisoners ,can have access
at one time; it hat already been stated that the cells
are pared with stone, henotthey are cold and damp,
N. the moisture rises in wet weather; as even the
Keeper's house is liable to damp. But it is our duty
to reMeelki that, from a mistake's. regulation for
cleanliness, these stone-Oen ire washed every morn.
loialie that' the damp is secured by the consequent
elort'eriporation*. The yards besides are not paved
with•fiakstones, with a proper slope to carry of
*OW,* best with ill-laid paving.stones, in the open
istersticiii of which water lodges at all times, when
the yards are washed, and are seldom dry in the win.
ler season. As far as regards the cello, the heat in
lbeday.roorns cannot operate very beneficially through
the apertures; as such a degree of heat can-only tend
to raise the damp into vapour, which mast again be
coadeused, and lodge en the walls avid bedding.- -
The persons confined in this part of the prison ere
generally not convicted, or ender punithment, and
therefore cells appear unnecessary ; end the sudden
transition from beat to told, suffered by those cam.
!duet) to such cells, your Committee considers as ie.
Priests to health ; and even were it not so, it infers
a: degree of punishment not warranted by the circum-
silences in which those so confined are placed.—
Your Committee therefore are decidedly of opinion,
thit these cells should be pelted down, and a beild.4
tug taised.to the height of the boundary wall of •the•
prison, occupying less ground space, and coneqeently:
leaving 'more spacious *bit% yards; and. in ',stir%
proposed building, wards might be provided for the
vs fi.us descriptions of prisoners, anthill's obviate the
eiVs which the present arrangement forces on the no.
ti;e of your Committee: • •
Muse OF CORRECTION.—ht this-part of the build•
log (as it was originally at no distant period• coo.
strutted for debtors) the rooms are of an elceilent
description, light and well aired. 'Dot as the, prison
. was not intended for a Rouse of Correction, the
largeness of the wards and want of separation and
5 . discrimination renders it not well suited for that par-
,
/
pose. Classification is altogether impracticable, ez.
cept by having teeming: to a range of small rooms in
front of the prison, where persons of lets criminal
•• habits may be singled from the others. On the 9th
of Mty' there were confined in this prison seventy.
two persons. In the Hooey of Correction SR males
and 14 females, and in the Giltspor side, committed
on charges of smelt, &c. lb males and five females,
\ in all 72 persons; certainly not a large proportion of

base Iwo
the opinkukwhich your Committee have ventured to
j,
lreAS to the. allowance of food in Newgate, they
Cannot disapprove' of the dietary stated in the eri-
a'enc. '6
f Mr.. Teague, the Keeper, especially as an.
iilditieeteteilosasocesittisets•tosabose who iebour. . I,
CiOTH IWO Ann CLEM/ [AHIIOOO4OI whole of these,
.liultdrugs, ate , kept setnerkeldy. clean. The yiro.l.
stiirs,,and -Pout are regularly washed, and the
walls frequently scraped and white-washed ; and on
.tote -women's side of the House of Correction, there
is an- escelleot washing-house, laundry, and 'other
goneeniences,...well arranged aad its good order. In
;that outset the prison appropriated for the reception
of charges, andsbase remanded for esamination, the
same attention to personal cleanliness is impracticable;
although tbereralso ezertions ere made for that put.
pose, and on tunny occasions the rags of the persons
committed are burnt, and clothing provided. In the
IloWe•of Correction, es ,soon'as possible after corn-
mitrperds, the prisoners are examined by the Sur.
gems, but frequently not before basing been sized
with the other prisoners, and are washed, and prison
clothes given to them ; if, however, they prefer
wearing their own-clothes, it is permitted. As this
pus at toe prhottis correctional, it might, perhaps,
contribute to the desirable effects, that a marked dress
shoold.not be dispensed with ; it would, besides, af-
ford a greater security against infection, and promote
cleanliness.
Babotno,—All the prisoners in .Giltspor-street
Prisons are provided with wooden bedsteads in the
cells appropsiaitd lot charges, and those for re-esa.
initiation and vagrants/ two, and sometimes three,
sleep in oast bed, but the latter, however, occurs
very rarely. In the House of Correction, each pi-
:sorter bass separate bed, though all the beds nearly •
joist euch other, -and numbers sleep its the tame room.
The bedding consists of a• tick tellies', stuffed ',Fidel
straw,' placed .rut canvass; cud for covering, two,
rugs, or three, according to the season of the year ;
but the prisoners are occasionally allowed to bring
their own bedding into the wards, which is an indul-
geuce, the propriety of which may be questioned.
TRZATMENT.—Ni I'. MOM, the present Keeper,
seems to esert himself to do hrs duty in regulating the
arrangements of the prison ; for the state of the cells
he cannot be accountable; but in the House of Cot-
, section there SPPMs to be no unnecessary severity ;
1
,rrhaps as a correctional establishment there may be
too much indulgence. The prisoners are allowed to
receive food brought in by their friends, end in the
intervals of their work are allowed to corners* with
the strangers who visit them. It certainty would
increase the punishment, and not increase it beyond
what is the legitimate object, to restrict these con•
demned to hard labour to the prison allowance (tak-
ing care that such allowance is adequate f,r those
subjected to such labour), and the prevention
of free intercourse with those from without, would
also render the punishment more impressive. It has{
however, been urged, that such severity would render
the prisoners sulky, and induce other bad conse-
quences; this, therefore, is a practical regulation
which ought to rest with the Magistrates, who will
use their sound discretion.
EMPLOYMENT.—The observations on this heed can
only apply to the House of Correction ; the others,
for obvious reasons, have no Pulpit)) client- It ap.
peers that there has been a difficulty its devising em-
ployment for the prisoners, and until the flour-mill
was erected in name of hard Isboor, they were chiefly
employed in •pb-king oakum. The mill affords em-
ployment for 16 men ; it requires eight men to work
the mill, and they labour and are relieved for 20 mi-
nute% alternately, during the working hours. For
the first three months after the erection of the present
improved mill., the men worked six hours by alter.
trate spells, namely, from nine till twelve, and from
one to four; the number of hours is now increased,
sad they work by alternate spells, from seven in the
morning till fire in the afternoon, including 'half an
hour for breakfast, and an.hour for dinner. They
formerly ground from seven to eight bushels per day;
they now grind from II to 12 bushels. A few 'nth.
viduals are employed as carpenters, tailors, and shoe-
makers ; and all who work are allowed a small pro-
portion of their earnings. Some individuals, not of
a robust frame or constitution, are not employed at
the mill; it appears to your Committees that means
should be resorted to, to find work for prisoners of 1
this description.
Ineramaair.—There is an Infirmary for the male
prisoners, end another ward for the female prisoner';
the one on the Giltspur side, the other on thelaudgate;
but there is only one nurse. On the female side a
prisoner is generally so employed. In the evidence
of Mr. Bea, the surgeon, he suggests that the oppo-
site ward to what is properly called the Infirtniry,'
where males are received, and where the nurse sleeps.
should be allotted as an Infirmary instead of the
ward on the opposite side of the prison. This ar-
rangement appears to promise more convenience, as
in the absence of the Surgeon both wards would more
immediately be under the eye of the nurse;' although
at present less conveniently placed, the accommoda-
tion is sufficient, and the Surgeon has authority to
.order whatever food of cordials be thinks necessary
if.or the sick. Mr. Box, who is surgeon of Netvgate,
,ssolso•surgeon of this prison; and his successful at-
ttention is also manifested here ; for on the 9th of
May there was not one patient in the Infirmaries, al.
, thank sesepq-two were in confinement.
-Tun Baastionsees-lt may be proper to notice this
part.of the establishment, as from hence bread is sup-
.
pltednotonly for Giltspur.street Prison,tbut also for
Nurgate. The baker is a regular bred tradesman of
kat% experience, and- he is assisted by two of the
prisoners who had been bred to this occupation.--
The bread is of unexceptionable quality ; the doer
used now is wholly ground in the prison, from
'wheat purchased try a respectable cernfoctor for lisp
1 Corporation. Previous to the establishment of this
Otakehoule.. frequent complaints were made respect.
\
in the contract bread furnished to Newgate ; but
since the present system was adopted, it appears to
your Committee, that there has been no ground of
complaint, wills the exception of one-batch early' in
the month of January) which was bad ; and this was

once to COO 101111),
Your COOSAM Wing thus reported on each dis-
tinct bead, breadenew may observe, that sililsagbl
strictly speaking, they mina; consider the construe-
,tion of what was the Ludgate Prison, as that most
!likable for a House of Correction, yet they must re-
port it as their opinion, that. it is airy, healthful,
and well managed. As to the Giltspur side, after
what they have deemed it their duty to state, with*
respect to the cells in that part of the prison) they
hare only to repeat, it is the opinion of your Corn.
mittee, that an alteration should be made, and they
hare no doubt the court of Aldermen will, take the
suggestion iuto their serious consideration.

._..-.

WHITECROSS-NTREET PRISON..• • • • I
This prison is set apart for debtors, and has three dill di•
vi-iuns. l.ndgate side, far those who are freemen of the city tit
London, mid who. on commitment, . produce Certificalq•
(culled a doucee) of their being freemen; London side, for all '1
other debtors arrested w ithin the juri-diction of the city. las
chiding such freemen M. at the time of arrest.neglect,toprocqr
a doucce; and Middlesex side. the third and largest divishawl.
for tame arrested in die canoty. ?beret is, honer cr,.a ieralpte
divisitio for all females, whether of the city or county ; aqd
pets ,att by wtirranis from the Court of Requests of the city chi
Court of Requests of the county, are likewise committed to this
prison.
Memento, of opinionmay exit/las to•tbe allotment and ar-
rangement of prisons. according to the views of those who visit
them; your Committee however, must express it ai their opi-
citia, generally, Abat as. far os they. can judge, the. prisoners
here have nu just ground fur complaint, but, so many respects,
the reverse.
That itoprisonment..even in the case of debtors, should be
productive of discomfoit, is a circumstance that cannot be
avoided. li is. in ibeir•ellle 41. torpidly, for improvidence. and,
sometimes for dishauesty ; void if misfortune has a shale, it may
be lamented, but Kaman prudence canasta devise a perfectly dis-
criminative system:. la this prison. however, there is provision.
made, at the expellee of the city of Londuu. for the absolute
wants of those confined, by an allowance tit' food, sod ...fart be-
yond titan is distributed Otis believed) ist any. prison in the
kingdom. This alintance of bread and me.,t is given to all
who produce a certilicnte that they are poor. . T,heconsequenfe,
is. that almost all have obtained such certificates. 'Your .Com. ,
'ranee, towever. doubt the propriety el a-rale which may .be
painful to some individuals-to comply witb,.but which, al, the I
same timeoein be easily evaded, so that the object of the regti:'
lotion is completely nonrated. Certain divisioas of the vino,
have peculiar benefits, but these are derived from donations
and bequests. The prisoners bave complained of fhe
regula-
lions of the prisou I they complain of restraints as to thg hours
when strangers are admitted, and of their being excluded from
their bedrooms during the.day. On such points, unless Waal-
festiy.oppressive, dour Committee avoid interfering. The re-
gulations for the good governmeat of the prison must rest with
those whotag responsible; but as these puints have been forced.
on the notice of your Committee, in ;lichee to the Magistrates
they can state.. ulna the regulations, as approved by the Judges.
seemed framed with a view to health, and its morality, 111111
eens necessary nod salutary an d the indulgences great us
are consistent with the ioternal regularity of such a place of

confinement,
One improvement has been suggested, which would he con-
ducive to better order rtud cle'itUlille.9. 1,, appears that. on
ale average, from fortytite t lif.y persons iohattit each day
room ; and at the common fire t each ward all the victuals of
those pers.ats, are cooked, and can be cooked no a here else
a ithin the watts of the prison- Had a suitable kitchen been
°fishtails presided fur each division of the prisou, to which
the ;a flamers !night have had access. your Committee would
have recomoaelidell, that cooking Witte wards should be forbid-
den. The Court of Aldermen base agreed to a Report from the
Jail Committee of MiOstrates, that a general kitchen should
be made under the Chapel; an oven to be built, and several
large coppers fixed. Your Committee confidently look furward
too material and most desirable change antis part of the inter-
nist ecounasy of the prison.
Although the Keeper and the turnkeys exert themselves to
prevent ibe inireduction of spirituous liquors into the psms.
yet a here there are so many females . daily admit ted, andri there.
is no female bean her but the 'mese (alto is so employed %heel
there is leispieloo). it is not to be supposed that such an irrega-
Wir can lie altogether prevnt, and it my be worth/ of
theaty tention df the Jail Committee to establish a more efficient
check.
The 4'f:emery. with the late improvements and addition, is
now, by she evidence of the Surgeon, amply sufficient in ac-
commodation. It is particularly gratifying to your Committee
to find that the Surgeons api.ottued to the City Prisons are so
conscientiously attentive to their duty ; a favourable report
has already been made of the conduct and successful services of
Mr. Box, the Surgeon of Newgate and Gilispur•street (Atwitter,
and it is with real satisfaction they bear a similar testimony
iu
favour of Mt. Wadd, the Surgeon uf Whitecross-street.
The Under Keeper, Mr. Thacker. who lir the interim has acted
-as Keeper, has apparently conducted himself with moderation
and firmness; and there is no well-grounded complaint made
against any part of. his cniuluct.
It has been stated, that the prisoners confined forsmali debts
are committed in this prison from the Courts of the county and
city. The Keeper is authorised to receive the amount of debt and
costs from the comely prisoners, and thereupon, provided. no
detainer has ..been lodged at the prison, immediately to
liberate; bat a debtor committed by a wat rant from the Court
of .Requests of the City, from the practice of the jail, cannot
obtain his liberation, until he procures what is termed a
err:deism, which is a certificate signed by the clerk in the Se-
condaries' Office,_by the clerk of the (iilispur-street, aud by.
the clerk of the Poultry Comp er, vouching that no detainers
have been lodged against him in any of these three Uthees.,--
Tins form isAif itself a grievance where the debts are so trivial;
and an impression having existed in she pt ism* that no pristioer,
not eves a ( oust of Conscience debtor, could obtain a see/stales
wait of office hours, or no a holiday, without paying a fee of
11.4. Gd. many individuals have remained in prison-fur revs oil
days, after compromising with their creditors, or after the term
of their sentence has ex pared-
The removal of debtors from Nnwgate and Giltspar street, to
a prison appropriated to such persons exclusively, was a most
14 iseand beneficial arrangement t and it appears to your Cam-
mince, that this excellent distinction of prisoners should by car-
ried us far as circamstanct s may permit, so that u sepaiate
son may be assigned for each distiuct
Your Committee may conclude their remarks upon White-
cross-street Prison, by expressing it as their opinion, that the
words amdtyards are large, airy. and healthful as places of con.
apemen( ; that the fond, gratuitously provided by the liberality
of the City of London, is of excellent quality, wed the general
treatment as indulgent as reasonably can be at:pretest or re-
quired; and that many circumstances concur in this prison to
alleviate the rigours of coati. emend.
(To be Continued.] •
BUL UAL% itAG.
LI,CIIVIEID JAIL WiLIYERY, Armors 20.
JOHN SADDLER AND DT/MRS' IN ANSWER TO AN IN-
DICTMENT IPOII A NUISANCR IN SUCL• BAITING.
Mr. PARKER. Solicitor, Was heard Am defence of
the parties; and .contendiecl that bullsbaiting wale
legal diversion.—The High- Steward read the indict.
tent, and held that that,
..or any other oistrUdtion
on the highway, was illegal.
Mr. l'eaftsow was heard on the part of the prose-
cution; and detailed the particulars of the case, re-
marking on time peculiar inhumanity of the parties.—
The bull fell apd broke his hack ; and the parties ap.
plied fire, amid the yells of the populace, to rouse
hicrlying energies. Mr. Orson then enlarged par.
ticulsrly on the had effect of such customs, 011 the
mind of the south of thelower orders of society. lie
then went to show the nature of the nuisance. lied
the hull net diashled himself, in the breaking of the
chaise, he would have gone ate its the public read, to
the imminent danger of all peesons passing thereon.
He then remarked ou the late case at llilstun, where
a loan was trampled to death from a similar result.
•tvidence eat then .heard on the part of the pro-

SOCItiIOO.

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• offenders, ,and Aro age% 14.,Osetber there COO be no owing to Ow i!tewer ar sap ge
lox. THS COMl4ii rrEE ON TAK:.it.t3o, . )1,..11 71: 'nisi., having, o
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k°ll:lowsnce of food is the same iresk and ilqitiO .
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issouuycPPleh,ec°l64olitecinrisicl:.t.bkosiatf: .115111
I oslitalny :Idled 'lrnolhoors given to those breoer was dismissed from emp
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