Newgate Prison - length of sentence

[LouiseJB]

I have just found out that my g g grandparents were convicted of handling stolen goods in 1881. I have read the transcript on the Old Bailey website.

My gg grandfather (Charles Matthews) was sentenced to 10 years penal servitude and his wife, four days imprisonment at the mercy of the jury. She (Theresa Williams) gave birth in Newgate prison whilst awaiting trial.

My queries are -

Did prisoners serve the time they were given in 1881 or were they let out "on good behaviour"?

How can I find out which prison they served in as I think Newgate was closed around 1881?

Were photos and records taken of prisoners (I would love to get hold of these)!

Many thanks

Louise

[Jan1954]

Hi Louise,

Have you checked to see if your chap is here (http://vcp.e2bn.org/)?

You might also like to have a browse of this TNA research guide. (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=120)

[Geoffers]

.......and in case Charles Matthews had been a bad lad before; from TNA's dcoumentsonline:

Victorian Prisoners Photograph Albums (PCOM 2)
You can download two volumes of photographs and case details of prisoners in Wandsworth Prison, 1872- 1873. Each case gives the prisoner's physical description, as well as a photograph, their date and place of birth, the crime they committed, their sentence, the place of conviction and often their place of residence. This is a browsable collection and we have not produced an accompanying research guide. Browse the Victorian prisoners records (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/search-results.asp?CatID=13&searchType=browsable&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1)

Also - on TNA's web-site clink on 'bookshop' and see what is February's book of the month - it might be interesting reading.

Newgate Prison registers May1880-Oct 1881 are in PCOM2/220 (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=1722067&CATLN=6&Highlight=&accessmethod=0)

Nov 1881 - Jan 1882 are in PCOM2/221 (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=1722068&CATLN=6&Highlight=&accessmethod=0)

An index to the registers is available in PCOM2/228 (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=1722075&CATLN=6&Highlight=&accessmethod=0) and may need to be consulted to find details in the above two files.

You cannot view the records online, but you may be able to request TNA to provide an estimate for copying the record relating to a named person in there - if that person can be identified from information you provide.

[Mutley]

Have you tried newspaper reports?

The Times had lots of snippets about local crimes and sometimes mentioned the prison they were sent to.

I think you would have to search in your local library though. :)