Lincoln Prison Flashcards
When was Lincoln Castle used as a gaol ?
1787 -1878
What were the two places in the Lincoln Gaol ?
- The County Gaol
- Cobb Hall
What type of prisoners were kept at the Lincoln Gaol ?
- debtors
- people awaiting trial
- convicted criminals
What were John Howard’s criticism of the Lincoln Gaol ?
- Lack of sanitation
- Mixing of criminals and debtors
- Mixing of men and women
When was the new Georgian prison constructed inside Lincoln Castle ?
1787
What type of criminals were housed in the Georgian prison ?
Debtors
What were features of the debtors cell in the Georgian prison ?
- Rooms at the front of the building
- Grill over a hole for a fire
- nicer
- Fireplace and cupboards
What were features of the guards room in the Georgian prison ?
- Big Fireplaces
- Dado rails + cornicing
- Large bay windows
How did Gaolers abuse their power in the Georgian prison ?
- Financially exploit
- prisoners as free labour
- charge prisoners for luxuries
- sell ale to prisoners
When were modifications made to the Georgian prison ?
1756-1807
When was a separate debtors yard added for exercise ?
1820
When were exercise yards separated by gender ?
1820
What were ash privies that were added to these yards ?
a hole in the ground where sewage was mixed with ash
What additions were made to the Georgian prison in the 1820’s ?
- Washrooms
- Infirmary (Surgeons)
When was the new Victorian prison in the Lincoln Castle established ?
- 1848
What was the Lincoln Felons Wing replaced by ?
The Crown Wing
Why was the Victorian prison established ?
1839 Prisons Act
What was the architectural structure of the Victorian Lincoln prison ?
H-shaped
What was the Victorian prison designed to be ?
Separate system Prison
How were males and females separated by gender in the Victorian prison ?
Separate landings with its own stone bath
What were the conditions of cells in the Victorian prison ?
- Individual
- Well ventilated with toilet and sink
- Hammocks
- Gas lit and heated by air
What were some of the issues the Victorian prison cells faced ?
- Sewer blockage
- hot air causing typhus outbreak (1851)
What religious room was introduced in the Victorian prison ?
Prison Chapel
How was the separate system used in the chapel of the Victorian prison ?
- Each prisoner had an individual stall
- Can only see chaplian
How were prisoners separated in the prison chapel of the Victorian prison ?
- Women at the front on benches
- Male criminals in the middle
- Male debtors at the back
Who was in charge of the Women’s prison ?
Matron
What was the responsibility of the Matron in the Victorian prison ?
- Look after prisons sick
- Prepare food
- Provide cells for mothers + babies
How was the Matron limited in her power at the Victorian Prison ?
Required permission from warder to leave
Who was in charge of the Men’s prison ?
Warder
Where did executions typically take place at Lincoln ?
- Outside castle walls on Burton Road
How were prisoners executed at Lincoln prison ?
- Noose attached to a cart with a horse used to pull
Where did executions typically take place inside the Lincoln prison ?
Cobb Hall (Gallows)
Who was the first person to be executed in Cobb Hall ?
Elizabeth Whiting - 15th March 1817
How many people were executed by the gallows of Cobb Hall between 1817 and 1859 ?
38
How were executed criminals buried at Lincoln prison ?
- Simple Stone Markers
- Buried at the mound of Lucy Tower in castle grounds
Who was the executioner at Lincoln prison between 1829 and 1859 ?
William Calcraft
What was the “Long drop” execution method used at Lincoln Prison ?
Height and weight of prisoner used to measure a rope for the most effective death
When was the first person executed by the “long drop” method ?
1872 at Lincoln Prison
Why were public hangings at the Lincoln Prison banned ?
1868 Capital Punishment Amendment Act
What was Lincoln Castle Prison replaced by ?
HMP Lincoln
