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From: "Michael Kiernan" <>
Subject: Re: [CON-GEN] Bridewell - was Quarter Sessions
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2001 17:24:53 +0100
References: <200109031545.f83FjuO29776@asiaonline.net>


The Bridewell mentioned in the Quarter session reports in fact refers to
Bodmin Goal. That prison had various sections and included a Debtor's Ward
and a Bridewell and, in later years, a Naval prison.
The Bridewell housed those found guilty of minor offences.
The standard accommodation for prisoners in the main block was approx. 8
feet by 6 feet with Max. headroom of 7 feet six inches. It contained a
bedspread, straw and a couple of blankets. Object was for each prisoner to
have seperate cell. The debtor's and minor offences section (Brideswell) had
slightly more space. There was also a difference in the food allowance
(diet). Whilst the punishments were harsh (Treadmill, hard labour including
wood sawing, shoemaking, stone polishing, and oakum picking, flogging, etc.)
the strict regime was carfully monitored by visitors to ensure the detailed
regulations followed and no excesses. The hospital, chapel and library
operated etc.
On hanging - burning a corn stack often deprived starving people and so was
serious. In 1800 there were about 160 capital crimes, greatly reduced by
Peel's act of 1823. The last public hanging in Cornwall was in 1862 and the
last Cornish hanging in 1909. Capital punishment was abolished throughout
the UK - I think in the late 1960's? and now you can, technically, only be
executed for a very few wierd offences such as sleeping with the Monarchs
spouse
Ron's excellent history of bridewell school probably provides an explanation
of where the name came from.
Mike, Redruth.

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