County Bridewell, Skirbeck, Boston, Lincolnshire

Gaoler, William Appleby. Salary, 30l.

Surgeon, Mr. Davis. Makes a Bill.

Prisoners, 1810, August 6th, none.

Allowance, sixpence a day.

This New House of Correction was built in 1809, in Skirbeck-Quarter, near Boston, for the division of Holland. The Keeper's house, which fronts the road, forms the centre building; and on each side is a day or work-room, 17 feet by 14, one for men, and the other for women; and above each is a sleeping-room of the same size, the ascent to which is by a step-ladder from the lower room. The doors and windows of these rooms open into their respective court-yards, which are 17 feet by 14, with a boundary wall, only 14 feet high. Water is supplied from a pump in the Gaoler's court-yard

Miss small prison is situated in the hamlet of skirbeck, about a mile from Boston, and on ground formerly belonging to the overseers of the poor, from whom it was obtained by the magistrates of the county. Legal obstacles have prevented its conveyance, and the purchase has never been completed. The yearly interest of the sum agreed upon, is paid to the overseers. Debtors from the courts of request for the parts of Holland, and prisoners under remand and summary convictions, are detained here; those convicted at the sessions are ordinarily sent to the larger establishment at Spalding. The fabric consists of a house for the keeper, and an irregular range of buildings in the rear for prisoners. The part occupied by the prisoners contains three stories, the rooms in the two first are arched, those in the third are ceiled with lath and plaster.

    Dimensions.
4 rooms 9 ft. 11 in. by 8 ft.

2 " 12 ft. 8 in. by 10 ft. 8 in.
1 " 22 ft. by l0 ft. 8 in.
2 " 17 ft. by 9 ft. 11 in.

There are 4 small airing-yards, with privies in each; This prison, front defective construction and entire want of convenience, is unfit for its purpose. Sixpence a day is allowed for the maintenance of each prisoner, which they spend as they please, settling, with the keeper every Monday morning. Coals are provided all the year round. Two prisoners sleep together in wooden bedsteads. Bedding consists of a palliasse, three blankets, and rug. No chaplain ever attends nor is divine service performed. Bibles are provided. The prisoners see their friends when they wish it, without a magistrates order. A surgeon attends when sent for, in cases of illness, but not otherwise. There is a tread-wheel, but the number of prisoners sentenced to hard labour is scarcely ever sufficient to work it, and they are employed in breaking stones. The keeper states,—"The magistrates seldom visit: at the last sessions eight prisoners were sentenced to transportation, and remained here from the 28th June to the 15th July. They were in irons the whole time. The prisoners sometimes quarrel. They either wash for themselves, pay for its being done out of the 6d., or have friends outside who do it for them.

Upon going through this prison I found the rooms dirty, provisions and newspapers lying about, and no distinction preserved between the debtors and those under criminal charges.

Keeper.—Age 64; salary £50; £2. 2s. for attending the magistrates every week at Boston; about £4 a-year from the labour of the prisoners in breaking stone; is allowed £10, yearly, for finding coals for the prison.

Surgeon.—Salary £12. 12s. for medicines and attendance.

NOTE.—Since my inspection, the magistrates have made an arrangement with the town council at Boston, by which this defective prison will be discontinued, and the prisoners henceforth be committed to the borough gaol of that place, until other measures are decided upon.