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Home » Law and Order » Prison system » Prisoners' welfare

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  • This letter, dated 27 March 1835, was sent to the sitting magistrates at Caernarfon from Owen Owens, a prisoner at Caernarfon Goal. Owens makes an application for a new pair of shoes since he has worn out his present pair working 'on the tread mill'.
Letter from prisoner at Caernarfon Goal, 27 March 1835
  • This journal was kept by the surgeon at the County Gaol, Haverfordwest, during the period 1820-35. Each entry notes the prisoner's name and ward, whether the prisoner was a 'debtor' or a 'criminal', the nature of the illness or disease, the dates entered on and discharged from the 'sick list' and, most interestingly, whether any extra food or clothing was prescribed. In many instances, additional 'observations' are also noted in the right-hand column. The County Gaol was built in 1779 but in 1820 a new purpose-built building was built and remained in use until 1878, when it became the headquarters of the Pembrokeshire Constabulary. It now houses the Pembrokeshire Record Office, where this journal is currently deposited. The entries on this particular page refer to prisoners who were entered on the sick list during the winter of 1820-21and the surgeon expresses concern about the inadequacy of the prisoners' clothing: 'The Trousers which the Criminals have, I think are too thin for the Winter and will be the means of injuring their Health. The most proper will be woollen'.
Journal kept by the Surgeon at the County Gaol, Haverfordwest [1820-35, 18 October-24 November 1820, image 1 of 147]
  • Thomas Martyn describes his visit to Gloucester County Gaol.
A Tour to South Wales, 1801, page 24