Introduction
Alnwick House of correction, also know as Alnwick County House of Correction was opened in 1807[1]. Whilst this appears to be the most well-known prison in Alnwick, there is some reference to another House of Correction on the south of Clayport Street in 1709[2] which closed long before this house of correction opened. Alnwick HoC was generally used for inmates either held before trial, or those with sentences of 6 weeks or less[3] however there were cases of men and women sentenced to remain at Alnwick for up to a year[4]. It closed in 1871 as a prison due to a lack of inmates[5] but did continue holding inmates for trial.
Background and history of the prison
The Duke of Northumberland ordered a House of Correction to be built in Alnwick in 1807. He was responsible for establishing many new buildings in the town including reading rooms, meeting rooms and a courthouse. Like most Houses of Correction its existence was rooted in the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601 originally erected to punish those “unwilling to work”, including vagrants and beggars. Offenders were typically committed to Houses of Correction by justices of the peace, who used their powers of summary jurisdiction with respect to minor offences. More than half of offenders were released within a week, and two-thirds within two weeks.
In addition to imprisonment in a House of Correction, often with hard labour, some of the convicted were whipped either as part of their sentence or as an additional punishment for bad conduct during their incarceration[6].Â
Alnwick House of Correction was one of the most expensive prisons to operate of the time, due to the lack of prisoners housed there. In many prisons, inmates would be expected to work and the produce of their labour would be sold to pay for their upkeep. An inspection report from July 1850 stated that only one inmate was held at that time, and the total for the year was 28 inmates, 45 less than the previous 12 months[7].
The prison did provide better food than others in the country, which added to its financial struggles.
“In the four Northumberland gaols the quantity of oatmeal is increased and given as porridge where the Government has recommended simply gruel. This contains six ounces of oatmeal, instead of two ounces, as ordered for gruel, and milk or treacle water. There is also one pound of suet pudding given in the third, fourth, and fifth classes in place of the meat, bread, and potatoes recommended by Government[8]. “
Interesting Inmates
Michael Gallagher
Michael Gallagher is proof that prisons held not only the violent or light-fingered, but also those who direly needed help.
On the 23rd of November 1851 a young man, aged around 20, was found wandering around Alnwick. He wore nothing more than a soiled shirt despite rain and wintery weather. He was beating his brow and making signs of the cross constantly, paying no heed to the risk to his health. Gallagher was taken to the House of correction, fed, clothed and warmed up. Whilst able to give his name, his mental state was so poor that he was unable to give any other account of himself.
Michael Gallagher, like many who found themselves mentally incapacitated, was held at the prison in safety for just over a week until he was moved to an asylum[9].
William Andrews
William Andrews was a military man in his 50s and all was not well in his mind. In September of 1874 he began drinking and became threatening to his wife and children, stating that he would commit 5 murders and a suicide. She, being incredibly concerned for their safety, called on the police to protect her. They acquiesced and the local judges decided that William should be remanded in Alnwick House of Correction for a weekend to cool his temper and arranged for a surety bond: a payment to ensure his good behaviour. Monday came round, along with his expected release and William became increasingly agitated and violent. The doctor was called and visited him multiple times during the day. In between his visits however, William slit his throat with a hidden pen knife and expired in the House of Correction. Newspapers were shocked that he had managed to secrete a knife about his person given the assurances that he had been searched thoroughly by two officers[10].
The Prison Today
The prison closed in 1871 due to difficulty in recruiting staff and when they could be found, the cost of salaries was too high. For many years after its closure the local police force continued to use the cells to hold those arrested or awaiting trial. Alnwick House of Correction later became a courthouse, a police station, and is currently a Youth Hostel.
[1] 19th Century Prison History. n.d. Alnwick House of Correction – 19th Century Prison History. [online] Available at: <https://www.prisonhistory.org/prison/alnwick-house-of-correction/> [Accessed 12 May 2021].
[2] Finlayson, R. and Hardie, C., 2009. The Northumberland Extensive Urban Survey Project. Alnwick. [online] Northumberland County Council and English Heritage. Available at: <https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Planning-and-Building/Conservation/Archaeology/Alnwick.pdf> [Accessed 12 May 2021].
[3] Smith, E. and Milner, W., 1862. Report on the action of prison diet and discipline on the bodily functions of prisoners. Pt. I. London: Printed by Taylor and Francis, p.72.
[4] Durham County Advertiser, 1816. [online] p.2. Available at: <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000612/18160504/013/0002> [Accessed 17 May 2021].
[5] Ibid
[6] Internet Archive. 1865. Parliamentary Papers : Parliament, Great Britain, House of Commons. [online] Available at: <https://archive.org/details/parliamentarypa13commgoog/page/n12/mode/2up?q=Alnwick+> [Accessed 17 May 2021].
[7] Google Books. 1850. Parliamentary Papers. [online] Available at: <http://books.google.com/books?id=xo8SAAAAYAAJ&oe=UTF-8> [Accessed 17 May 2021].
[8] Smith, E. and Milner, W., 1862. Report on the action of prison diet and discipline on the bodily functions of prisoners. Pt. I. London: Printed by Taylor and Francis.
[9] Westmorland Gazette, 1851. A wandering lunatic. [online] p.8. Available at: <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000399/18511206/052/0008> [Accessed 17 May 2021].
[10] Berwick Advertiser, 1874. Suicide in the House of Correction. [online] p.3. Available at: <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000717/18740911/063/0003> [Accessed 17 May 2021].