Prisons and prisoners in Norfolk

Introduction

Records relating to prisons and prisoners in Norfolk are not straightforward.

There are few admission and discharge registers, which means that other sources must be consulted.

The Norfolk Record Office (NRO) holds records of quarter sessions and petty sessions.

Assize records are held in The National Archives (TNA) which also has research guides as well as their records of courts and prisons.

Records referred to below are mainly found at the NRO, TNA and Norfolk Heritage Centre (NHC).

Norfolk County Gaol at Norwich Castle

Norwich Castle was built on the instructions of William I and probably included a prison from the beginning.

Francis Blomefield relates that in the 14th year of King Edward III [1340-41]:

"The Earls of counties, who had the custody of the royal castles, often refused to suffer the sheriffs to imprison criminals in the castles, though it had been customary so to do; upon which the legislature took it into consideration, and made an Act of Parliament, that gaols which were wont to be in ward of the sheriffs, and annexed to their baliwicks, shall be rejoined to the sheriffs of counties, and that the sheriffs shall have the custody of the same gaols and prisoners there, as heretofore they used to have; and from this very time, this castle hath been the publick gaol of the county of Norfolk...."

(Francis Blomefield, An Essay towards a Topographical History of the County Of Norfolk (London, 1806) iii, pp85-86).

The county gaol was used to house people awaiting trial at both the Norfolk Quarter Sessions and the Norfolk Assizes.

On 2 August 1887, the prisoners were transferred to a new purpose-built prison on Mousehold Heath (off Plumstead Road) in Norwich and the castle ceased to be used as a prison.

Description of the gaol at the castle in 1845

"The County Gaol and House of Correction, commenced in 1824, on the site of the old prison, on the east side of the castle, were completed in 1828, at the cost of £50,000. The governor's house contains, besides the family apartments, a chapel and committee room.

"Branching from it are three radiating wings, each containing a double row of cells on the ground floor, with a day room next the governor's house, and double rows of cells on the upper floor. The number of cells in these wings is 240, and there are 36 in the old Keep.

"The diagonals, crossing the radiating wings at right angles, contain only a single row of cells, each having an arcade for the use of the prisoners when the weather will not permit their walking in the yard.

"Behind these are three other diagonal wings, of larger dimensions, with arcades below, and double rows of cells on the upper floor. The mill-house is on the right-hand side of the entrance, and has a machine for raising water (worked by the prisoners) for the use of the establishment.

"The governor's house being octagonal, and placed in the centre, commands a view of all the wings, day rooms, and yards.....The number [of prisoners] in 1835 was 801, and in 1843, 813."

(William White, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk (Sheffield, 1845) pp. 90-91).

Records

Norfolk Quarter Sessions books, 1565-1955 (with gaps), sometimes include lists of prisoners (both sessions and assizes) and record the sentence of people appearing before the Norfolk sessions (C/S 1, on microfilm MF 653-661 to 1852)
Quarter sessions files, 1532-1807 (with gaps), can include depositions of accused and of witnesses (C/S 3). The destruction of the post-1800 Sessions files was authorised by an order of the Court in 1879 (see C/S 4/16 p326)
Quarter sessions files, including depositions, 1922-71 (C/S 15)
Registers of convictions (night poaching), 1829-1954 (C/S 6/1-2)
Register of convictions (juvenile), 1847-81 (C/S 6/3)
Registers of convictions (petty sessions), 1855-1915 (C/S 6/4-5)
Registers of convictions (general at quarter sessions), 1855-1955 (C/S 6/6-12)
Visiting Justices of the County Gaol minute books, 1809-14, 1825-56, 1864-72, sometimes name individual prisoners (C/S 5/1 and on loan from the Castle Museum, available on microfilm MF 879-881)
Gaol chapel books, 1816-39, give names of prisoners and other details (available on microfilm MF 881-882)
Keeper's daily journal, 1822-35 (available on microfilm MF/RO 576)
Surgeon's journals, 1843-46, 1848-50 (available on microfilm MF/RO 576)
Diet record book, 1831-32 (available on microfilm MF/RO 576)
Committee minutes, accounts, correspondence, plans, etc, relating to maintenance and restoration of the castle, 18th and 19th century (C/Saa 1- 2, and microfilm MF/RO 581)
Nominal registers 1879-87 (available on microfilm MF 1284-1286). These give prisoners' names and details such as:
- Date and place of committal
- Date and place of trial and of conviction
- Offence
- Sentence
- Education
- Age
- Height and colour of hair
- Trade or occupation
- Religion and birthplace
- Number of previous convictions
- Date of discharge

Museum

The dungeons in the keep at Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery (opens new window) are open to the public and a section of the museum is dedicated to the castle's past use as a prison. The 19th century prison buildings are used as administrative space.

County bridewells

The Norfolk Quarter Sessions had responsibility for five county bridewells, or houses of correction, as well as the county gaol at Norwich Castle.

These were at Acle, Aylsham, Swaffham, Little Walsingham and Wymondham.

The county gaol and each bridewell had assigned to them a committee of visiting justices, whose task was to inspect and report to quarter sessions, on conditions in their particular prison.

General records held on the bridewells

Sessions minute books of administrative business, 1799-1968, include reports during the 19th century of visiting justices, of keepers and of surgeons of the county gaol and of the various bridewells (see C/S 4). Surgeons' reports name individuals who died in prison.

Acle Bridewell

A resolution to repair Acle Bridewell, dated 18 July 1767, is recorded in the quarter sessions order book (C/S 2/11).

However, by 1785 it was in "so ruinous a condition" that the Court of Quarter Sessions sold the building and its site to John Drake, a farmer from Fleggburgh.

An enrolled copy of the deed, dated 12 January 1785, is to be found in miscellaneous road order book number 13 (see C/Sce 1/13).

Aylsham Bridewell

This appears to have been closed in 1825, following the completion of new buildings at Norwich Castle.

See resolutions of quarter sessions on 12 January 1825 and 13 April 1825 (C/S 4/4 pp129 and 174-176) and also the comments on Wymondham Bridewell below).

Records:

Swaffham Bridewell

Description of the bridewell in 1868

"The County Prison, which was erected in 1787, and considerably enlarged in 1844 at a cost of £1,500. It has a residence for the governor, and contains 67 cells and 3 hospital rooms.

"The prisoners are employed in mat making, sacking weaving, tailoring, shoemaking, oakum picking, and pumping water from a well 150 feet deep."

(J.G.Harrod and Co, Directory of Norfolk and Norwich, (London and Norwich, 1868) pp610-611).

White's History, Gazetteer and Directory of Norfolk (Sheffield,1883) p711 records: "The County Prison at Swaffham has been discontinued under the Prisons Act, and was pulled down in 1881."

Records

Plans, 1843 (C/Saa 3/13-15)

Little Walsingham Bridewell

Description of the bridewell in 1845

"The Bridewell, erected about the year 1787, on the plan recommended by Mr Howard [John Howard, the prison reformer], has been enlarged and fitted up as a county House of Correction, since the removal of the Quarter Sessions from Aylsham.

"It was enlarged in 1822 and 1843, so that it has now 53 cells and several day-rooms, and airing yards, and a well ventilated infirmary.

"There are here four tread wheels for grinding corn, etc, and the prison is now conducted on the 'silent system', which is found to be very beneficial, by preventing the prisoners from instructing each other in their nefarious arts. The number of prisoners is generally about 50."

(William White, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk (Sheffield, 1845) p. 680).

On 11 January 1861: "Walsingham Quarter Sessions were held for the last time. Sir Willoughby Jones, who presided, informed the Grand Jury that the Sessions would be removed part to Swaffham and part to Norwich, 'on account of the expenses being so great in proportion to the number of prisoners for trial.'

"On March 1st the Bridewell ceased to be used as a house of correction, and the prisoners were removed to Norwich Castle."

(Charles Mackie, Norfolk Annals (Norwich, 1901) ii, p. 103).

Records

Petitions against closure, 1828 (C/Saa 3/16-17)

Museum

Entry to the former Little Walsingham Bridewell is available from the Shirehall Museum and Prison (opens new window) where the former Georgian courtroom can also be seen.

Wymondham Bridewell

Quarter Sessions resolved, on 12 January 1825 (C/S 4/4 p129), that the House of Correction at Aylsham and at Wymondham "be abolished as soon as the new County Gaol shall be completed".

On 13 April 1825 (C/S 4/4 pp174-76), it was resolved that the sale of both bridewells should be carried into effect.

The Aylsham Bridewell does appear to have been closed permanently, but on 6 April 1831 (C/S 4/5 p248), the county surveyor was authorised to carry out repairs at Wymondham Bridewell.

On 4 January 1832 (C/S 4/5 p301), the clerk of the peace was instructed to place advertisements in local newspapers to state:

"That the House of Correction at Wymondham...is opened for the Reception of Female Prisoners and of persons committed for Re-examination. An order for the discontinuance of Norwich Gaol and Wymondham Bridewell was issued on 9 March 1878".

(Charles Mackie, Norfolk Annals (Norwich, 1901) ii, p. 284).

Description of the bridewell in 1845

"The divisional County Prison, or Bridewell, at Wymondham, was erected in 1787, on the plan recommended by the philanthropic Mr Howard; but after the removal of the prisoners to the new gaol at Norwich, in 1827, it remained unoccupied till 1832, when it was re-opened, chiefly for the incarceration of females; and those sentenced to hard labour are employed in washing and sewing for the male prisoners at Norwich. The average number of prisoners, in 1842, was 19."

(William White, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk (Sheffield, 1845) p. 447).

Records

Visiting justices committee minute book, 1832-64 (C/S 5/15, unfit for production)
Charge book, 1850-66 (ACC 2003/49, Chief Superintendent Frank D Slack QPM Collection, available on microfilm MF/RO 643/4-644/1)

Museum

Wymondham Heritage Museum (opens new window) has recreated the original dungeon that was inspected by reformer John Howard.

Borough gaols and bridewells

City of Norwich Common Gaol

The Common Gaol of the City of Norwich was in the cellars of the Guildhall from 1412 until 1597.

The gaol was then situated opposite the Guildhall until 1826, in a building which had formerly been The Lamb Inn.

Imprisonment in the Common Gaol often amounted to a death sentence and many deaths from disease occurred there.

In the 12 months from January 1688/9 to December 1689, 13 inquests were heard on prisoners who had died there. See NCR Case 6a/1/24-25, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36-37, 39-42, 44.

Of these, 11 were not criminals, but were prisoners for debt. Illnesses cited in the inquests include black jaundice, scurvy, dropsy, consumption and hectic fever.

On 7 August 1826, the prisoners were moved to purpose-built premises outside St Giles' Gates, in the hamlet of Heigham.

The gaol was closed in May 1878 and the prisoners were moved to the County Gaol at the Castle.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral was later built on the old gaol site.

Description of the gaol in 1845

"This commodious prison was begun in 1824, and finished in 1827, from a plan by Mr Philip Barnes, a native architect. It cost about £30,000, and is a large quadrangular building, with towers at the angles of the four wings, and encloses 1a. 2r. 34p. ....

"The gaol contains 8 yards, 8 day rooms, and 69 sleeping cells. Both have recently undergone repairs and alterations, and a school-room has been erected.

"The whole is securely built and well-ventilated, and supplied with water pumped from the tread wheel in the house of correction, into the cisterns of the four towers, and sent thence in pipes to the various apartments.

"The number of prisoners incarcerated in 1843, was 859, of whom 129 were debtors, but here are seldom more than 80 or 100 at one time.

"Six of the 14 airing yards are sunk three feet below the others, so that the governor may command a full view of the whole from the inspecting gallery of his house."

(William White, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk, (Sheffield, 1845) p. 88).

Records

Norwich City quarter sessions minute books, 1511-1846 (NCR 20a, available on microfilm MF 612-620)
Quarter sessions minute books, 1839-1971 (N/S 2/1-11)
Quarter sessions files of indictments and recognizances, 1538, 1547, 1554, 1563-1749 (a few gaps), 1760-1838 (NCR 11a-f)
Quarter sessions files of interrogations and depositions, 1549-54, 1557-1600, 1648, 1684-1711, 1717, 1722-65, 1770-90 (NCR 12a-b)
Quarter sessions files, 1921-71 (N/S 1)
Quarter sessions copies of witnesses' depositions, 1855-90 (N/S 5)
Discharge of insolvent debtors minute book, 1720-81 (NCR 20a/35, available on microfilm MF 620)
Visiting justices' order books, 1846-78 (N/S 10)
Gaol committee minute books, 1799-1836 (NCR 19c)
Gaol committee minute books, 1836-78 (N/TC 11/1-6)
Gaol deliveries in book of pleas, medieval (NCR 17b)
Gaol delivery lists, 1482-1504 (NCR 6h/12)
Sessional returns of prisoners, 1681-82, 1702-1833 (NCR 12d)
Gaoler's certificates of numbers, 1808-34 (NCR 12d)
Calendar of prisoners, 1830 (NCR 12d)
Debtors' papers, 1614-1781, including writs of distringas, 1614-18 and schedules of individuals' property and discharges of debtors, 1678-1781 (NCR 15c-f)
Coroners' inquests, including prisoners, 1669-1835 (NCR Case 6a, indexed catalogue available)
Police charge book 1, 1836-8 (ACC 2003/49, Chief Superintendent Frank D Slack QPM Collection, available on microfilm MF/RO 643/4)
Police registers of indictable offences (or crime registers), recording date reported, classification of offence, where and when committed, details of person against whom committed, details of accused and result, 1911-66 (N/PO 1/1-40) - closed to public inspection for 50 years

Building tours

Tours of the building, which is now the home of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, can be pre-booked through the Festival's website.

Norwich Bridewell

This institution was used to punish those guilty of lesser crimes (particularly unmarried mothers).

The death rate from disease was high here too.

It was closed following the construction of the new City Gaol outside St Giles' Gates and, together with the old Common Gaol on Guildhall Hill, was sold on 3 June 1829.

Most of the prisoners in the Bridewell were sentenced at the Mayor's Court, which functioned as a petty sessions court.

Records

Mayor's court books, 1424-1835, with gaps (NCR 16a, available on microfilm)
Bridewell committee minute books, 1793-1820 (NCR 19c)
Account books, 1585-1751 (NCR 19c)
Calendar of prisoners, 1706 (NCR 5m)
Coroners' inquests, including prisoners, 1669-1835 (NCR 6a, indexed catalogue available)

Museum

The Museum of Norwich (opens new window) at the Bridewell tells the story of the city from medieval times to the present day.

Great Yarmouth Gaol and Bridewell

Description of the gaol in 1845

"The Gaol and Bridewell, in Gaol Street, form commodious prison buildings, all erected in 1818, at the cost of £3,397 except the Old Gaol, which fronts the street, and has a neat court room, in which the Quarter Sessions are held. The floors of the new buildings are divided into galleries, each having a number of cells, with a sick and day room.

"The roof of each cell, in the lower range, is composed of a huge block of stone, which forms the floor of the one immediately above it, and the whole are well aired and ventilated.

"The yards are so divided as to admit of a complete classification of the prisoners; the debtors being kept apart from the felons, and the tried from the untried."

(William White, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk (Sheffield, 1845) p. 256).

Records

Great Yarmouth Borough quarter sessions records attached to Borough Court rolls, 1502-03, 1509-21, 1523-24, 1531-1623, 1630-51, 1661-76, with gaps (Y/C 4)
Quarter sessions books, 1567-94, 1597-1702, 1704-32 (Y/S 1/1-4, available on microfilm MF 1030-1031)
Quarter sessions books, 1903-59 (ACC Howard, Killin and Bruce 20/10/1971)
Quarter sessions waste (draft) books, 1640-44, 1676-88 (Y/C 9/1-2)
Quarter sessions waste (draft) books, 1707-96, 1811-64 (Y/S 2/1-9, available on microfilm MF 1031-1033)
Quarter sessions files, 1700-1863, with gaps (Y/S 3)
Quarter sessions files, 1943, 1945-71 (ACC Howard, Killin and Bruce 20/10/1971 and 27/2/1976)
Recorder's minute books, 1872-80, 1882-83, 1887-93 (Y/S 11/1-3)
Recorder's minute books, 1914-68 (ACC Howard, Killin and Bruce 20/10/1971)
Quarter Sessions register of appeals, 1898-1958 (ACC Howard, Killin and Bruce 20/10/1971)
Clerk of Peace's case books, 1911-64 (ACC Howard, Killin and Bruce 20/10/1971)

Please note that microfilm copies of all the records listed below are available in both the NRO and in the local studies section of Great Yarmouth Library:

Gaol books (giving name of prisoner, date of committal and discharge, name of prosecutor, nature of offence), 1798-1865 (Y/L 2/1-3, available on MF 1872)
Bridewell book, 1822-38 (Y/L 2/4, available on MF 1872)
Committal and discharge books (with separate sections for debtors and Bridewell inmates), 1819-38 (Y/L 2/5-6, available on MF 1873)
Gaol registers (with particulars of each prisoner including state of education), 1808-75 (Y/L 2/8-15, available on MF 1873-1876)
Indexes to gaol registers references Y/L 2/9-14, 1838-75 (Y/L 2/16-18, available on MF 1876)
Analyses of registers, 1840-70 (Y/L 2/19, available on MF 1876)
Daily number books, 1837-73 (Y/L 2/22-24, available on MF 1877)
Summary of convictions register, 1852 to post-1872 (Y/L 2/25, available on MF 1877)
Register of prisoners' belongings, 1867-75 (Y/L 2/26, available on MF 1877)
Register of employment, 1868-75 (Y/L 2/27, available on MF 1878)
Register of admissions (with religious denomination), 1868-73 (Y/L 2/28, available on MF 1878)
Journal of admissions and discharges, 1869-76 (Y/L 2/29, available on MF 1878)
Register of particulars of prisoners convicted under 1st schedule of 1869 Habitual Criminals Act, 1870-73 (Y/L 2/30, available on MF 1878)
Discharge books, 1850-74 (Y/L 2/31-33, available on MF 1878)
Dietary book (showing amounts consumed by each prisoner), 1839-44 (Y/L 2/34, available on MF 1879)
Provisions account book, 1835-43 (Y/L 2/35, available on MF 1879)
Receipt and consumption account books (showing daily consumption by each diet class, with weekly accounts), 1845-75 (Y/L 2/36-42, available on MF 1879-1881)
Diet class book (showing numbers in each diet class), 1852-67 (Y/L 2/43, available on MF 1881)
Gaol account books, 1850-75 (Y/L 2/44-45, available on MF 1882)
Gaol keeper's journals, 1825-76 (Y/L 2/46-51, available on MF 1882-1883)
Surgeon's journals (with lists of prisoners treated and their diseases at back), 1838-75 (Y/L 2/52-55, available on MF 1884)
Chaplain's journals, 1847-65 (Y/L 2/56-58, available on MF 1884-1885)
Chaplain's private journal, 1856-65, later used for accounts of money taken at Tolhouse (Museum) door, 1886-87 (Y/L 2/59, available on MF 1885)
Schoolmaster's journal, 1853-62 (Y/L 2/60, available on MF 1885)
Visiting justices' order book, 1846-75 (Y/L 2/61, available on MF 1885)
Visiting justices' minute books, 1843-76 (Y/L 2/62-63, available on MF 1885-1886)
Visitors' book (for unofficial visitors), 1843-79 (Y/L 2/64, available on MF 1886)
Gaol sessions minute book, 1853-76 (Y/L 2/65, available on MF 1886)
Misconduct book, 1849-75 (Y/L 2/66, available on MF 1886)
Register of prisoners committed for re-examination, 1875-1877 (Y/L 2/67, available on MF 1886)

Museum

The Tolhouse Gaol (opens new window) tells the story of crime and punishment in Great Yarmouth.

King's Lynn Gaol

The Borough Gaol at Lynn was maintained by the Bishop of Norwich until 1527, at the Steward's Hall in the Tuesday Market Place.

The Mayor and burgesses took over this function from this date and they used the New Hall in Saturday Market Place.

This was on the site of the present Gaol House, which was rebuilt in 1784.

Parts of the adjoining Trinity Hall undercroft were used as additional cells, from the 1570s until 1937 and as a Bridewell from 1615.

From 1866, convicted prisoners from Lynn were sent to the County Gaol at Norwich.

Description of the gaol in 1845

"The borough Gaol, which adjoins the Guildhall, was enlarged and improved in 1831, at the cost of £2,300.

"It has a neat white brick front, with apartments for the gaoler; and in the rear are cells and lodging rooms, with four day-rooms, and four small yards for the prisoners. The debtors and felons are kept separate, and every other classification is adopted which the confined limits of the prison will allow.

"It has accommodations for about fifty prisoners, but the number incarcerated at one time seldom exceeds 30, and the imprisonment of female debtors but rarely occurs."

(William White, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk (Sheffield, 1845) p. 526).

Records (held in King's Lynn Borough Archives)

King's Lynn Borough quarter sessions books, 1726-1858, 1866-1957, include lists of prisoners (KL/C 20).
Quarter sessions minute books, 1620-61, 1679-80, 1689, 1693, 1729-1865, include lists of prisoners (KL/C 21).
Quarter sessions files, 1816-1971, with gaps (KL/C 22).
Gaol delivery roll, 21 Mar 1455 (KL/C 18/1). Text is published in D M Owen, The Making of King's Lynn (Records of Social and Economic History, new series 9, 1984), pp 429-430, where the date is erroneously given as 1453.
Records of alterations to Gaol buildings and of appointment and payment of gaolers can be found in hall books and chamberlains' accounts in the Borough Archives

Museum

King's Lynn Town Hall (opens new window) is home to the Stories of Lynn Museum and Old Gaol Cells.

Thetford Borough Gaol

Records

Thetford Borough Quarter Sessions books, 1610-26, 1632/3-39 (T/C 1/9 and T/QS 1)
Quarter Sessions minute books, 1751-1833, 1839-1951 (T/QS 2-7)
Quarter Sessions files, 1897-98, 1938-51 (T/QS 8 and T/QS 24)
Recorder's notebooks, 1937-47 (T/QS 22-23)
Clerk of Peace's letter book, 1916-23 (T/QS 21)
Surgeon's visiting book, including annual reports to Quarter Sessions, 1841-56 (C/PO 1/51)
Chaplain's visiting book, 1841-57 (C/PO 1/52)
Receiving book, containing details of prisoners, 1839-55 (C/PO 1/53)
Receiving book (males only), 1855-57 (C/PO 1/54)
Reports of charges coming under cognizance of Constabulary, 1858-81 (C/PO 55)

HM Prison Norwich

16 July 1887: "The new prison on Plumstead Road, Norwich, designed by the surveyor to the Prison Department, and built by Messrs W and T Denne, of Walmer, Kent, was completed on this date. The prisoners were transferred from the Castle to the new prison on August 2nd."

(Charles Mackie, Norfolk Annals (Norwich, 1901) ii, p. 381).

The prison accommodated both male and female prisoners until December 1924, when the women were transferred to Holloway Prison in London.

In 1925, Ipswich Prison was closed and the male prisoners were transferred to Norwich.

Description of the prison in 1890

"Her Majesty's Prison for the county is situated on Plumstead Road beyond the Britannia Barracks.

"It was built in 1886-7 by the Government in substitution for Norwich Castle as a prison for the county and city.

"The principle on which it is built is the most approved - one long building with three floors of cells, the upper floors being reached by galleries - so that complete supervision can be exercised.

"The prison stands in extensive walled-in grounds. Mr A E Dent, the governor, resides close by."

(William White, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Norfolk (Sheffield, 1890) p526).

Records

Nominal registers (giving prisoners' names and details such as date and place of committal, date and place of trial and of conviction, offence, sentence, education, age, height and colour of hair, trade or occupation, religion and birth place, number of previous convictions and date of discharge): both male and female prisoners, 1879-83; female prisoners only, 1883-1907 and 1921-24; male prisoners only, 1884-85, 1887-90, 1894-96 and 1900-64 (HMP 1; 1879-1937 available on microfilm MF 1284-1295)
Indexes to nominal registers, 1879-98 and 1937-64 (HMP 2; 1879-98 available on microfilm MF 1296)
Record of conviction registers, 1906-35 (HMP 3)
Registers of aliens and Commonwealth citizens, 1921-72 (HMP 4)
Photograph album of prisoners, 1907-35 (HMP 5, unfit for production, available on microfilm MF/RO 622/6)
Calendars of prisoners, 1927-64 (HMP 6)
Governor's journals, 1901-88 (HMP 7) - closed to public inspection for 70 years
Britannia Annexe governor's journals, 1970-84 (HMP 8) - closed to public inspection for 70 years
Visiting committee minute books, 1913-71 (HMP 9) - closed to public inspection for 70 years
Visiting committee minutes and observation books, 1963-72 (HMP 10) - closed to public inspection for 70 years
Chairman of visiting committee's papers, 1863-1910 (HMP 11)
Prison inspector's and director's minute books, 1881-1991 (HMP 12) - closed to public inspection for 70 years
Governor's annual reports, 1932-58 (HMP 13)
Visitors' books, 1898-1989 (HMP 14) - closed to public inspection for 30 years
Visitors' comments book, 1922-38 (HMP 15)
Registers of officers, 1882-1972 (HMP 16) - closed to public inspection for 50 years
Officers' pay books, 1915-26 (HMP 17)
Registers of temporary officers, 1924-58 (HMP 18)
Record of corporal punishments, 1927-45 (HMP 19)
Record of prisoners' petitions, 1894-1960 (HMP 20)
Registers of prisoners' applications, 1955-76 (HMP 21)
Statistics registers relating to remand and trial prisoners, 1936-65 (HMP 22)
Special search registers, 1972-91 (HMP 23) - closed to public inspection for 50 years
Governor's orders books, 1965-77 (HMP 24) - closed to public inspection for 70 years
Governor's papers, 1889-1992 (HMP 25) - closed to public inspection for 70-75 years
Medical officer's papers, 1940-60 (HMP 26) - some papers closed to public inspection for 100 years
Steward's papers, 1960-65 (HMP 27)
Pattern books, 1911-65 (HMP 28)
Tools ledgers, c1960 (HMP 29)
Canteen records, 1970-72 (HMP 30)
Staff housing records, 1970-86 (HMP 31) - closed to public inspection for 50 years
Prison photographs, 1983-c1987 (HMP 32)
Copies of Prison Commission/Service circulars and memoranda, 1885-1960 (HMP 33)
Copies of Prison Service monthly circulars, 1940-66 (HMP 34)
Copies of Prison Service staff circulars and notices, 1954-67 (HMP 35)
Indexes to Prison Service circulars and memoranda, 1943-58 (HMP 36)
Books of reference, 1884-c1964 (HMP 37)

Other records and calendars of prisoners

Norfolk County Constabulary lock-ups

Suspects were held in these lock-ups only briefly, before being transferred to Norwich Prison.

Harleston, cell book, 1882-1915 (C/PO 1/18)
Docking, cell book, 1882-1937 (C/PO 1/21)
Wells, cell book, 1892-1944 (C/PO 1/22)
Cromer, cell book, 1883-1923 (C/PO 1/24)
Loddon, returns of criminal cases heard, 1893-1909 (C/PO 1/38-39)
Loddon, receipts issued by Norwich Prison to Loddon constables for prisoners and their belongings delivered, 1891-1912 (C/PO 1/40-44)
Pulham, register of charges, 1883-86 (C/PO 1/49)
North Walsham, register of charges, 1886-88 (C/PO 1/56)

County treasurer's abstracts of accounts, 1835-1882

Includes lists of persons tried by the County Assizes and payments to policemen for transporting prisoners (sentenced at petty sessions, quarter sessions and assizes) between various lock-ups and the County Gaol. (C/T 1/1-7)

Petty sessions

The less serious offences were tried before the petty sessions courts. Norfolk had 25 petty sessional divisions which were based on the old hundreds.

The Boroughs (Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn, Norwich and Thetford) had their own petty sessions.

Please note these records are closed for 100 years.

Records

The records of petty sessions courts do not survive very well.

Some, such as North Erpingham, have records dating from the 1840s while others, such as Freebridge Lynn, have nothing before the 1950s.

Registers of convictions at county petty sessions (giving little detail), 1855-1915 (C/S 6/4-5)
See lists PS 1-30

Calendars of prisoners

Norfolk Assizes

1693-94, 1748-50, 1752-67, 1769, 1771-85, 1788, 1794, 1796, 1798, 1806-11, 1813-16, 1818, 1820, 1823, 1832-8, 1840-4, 1846-8, 1852-3 (microfilm copy of a private collection available on MF/RO 36/1)
1808, 1816-92 (with gaps) - microfilm copy of collection in NHC, available on MF/RO 611/5
December 1863 to January 1922, October 1952 to April 1971 (C/S 10/17-18)
July 1888 to March 1890 (MC 21118/1 available on microfilm MF/RO 611/4)
1927-64 (HMP 6/1-18)

Norfolk Quarter Sessions

1826-96 (with gaps) (microfilm copy of collection in NHC, available on MF/RO 611/5)
January 1862 to December 1971 (C/S 10/1-16)
July 1888 to March 1890 (MC 21118/1 available on microfilm MF/RO 611/4)
1927-64 (HMP 6/1-18)

Norwich City Assizes

1823-95 (with gaps) (microfilm copy of collection in NHC, available on MF/RO 611/5)
July 1888 to March 1890 (MC 21118/1 available on microfilm MF/RO 611/4)
1927-64 (HMP 6/1-18)

Norwich City Quarter Sessions

1823-95 (with gaps) (microfilm copy of collection in NHC, available on MF/RO 611/5)
July 1888 to March 1890 (MC 21118/1 available on microfilm MF/RO 611/4)
1927-58 (N/S 4/7)
1927-64 (HMP 6/1-18)
May 1963 to July 1971 (C/S 10/19)

Great Yarmouth Borough Quarter Sessions

July 1888 to March 1890 (MC 21118/1 available on microfilm MF/RO 611/4)
1927-64 (HMP 6/1-18)
March 1965 to September 1971 (C/S 10/20)

King's Lynn Borough Quarter Sessions

Printed, 1868-1933, included in Sessions files (KL/C22/77-272, available at King's Lynn Borough Archives)
1927-64 (HMP 6/1-18)
Written or typed at front of each Sessions file, 1937-71 (KL/C22, uncatalogued, available at King's Lynn Borough Archives)
January 1965 to April 1968 (C/S 10/21)

Transportation

People were often sentenced to transportation 'beyond the seas' for what we would regard as minor crimes.

They could be sentenced by the assize courts or the various quarter sessions courts.

An index of transported persons is available in our searchroom. It has been compiled from the quarter sessions minute books and from the accounts of the trials in the local newspapers.

However, it is not comprehensive because a number of people sentenced to death had their sentence later commuted to transportation for life by the Crown. It is difficult to pick these cases up in the local records.

References to these cases can be found in the Assize judges' reports, 1783-1830, in TNA (see HO 47) which are searchable on their online catalogue.

For further information on transportation, see our guide to ancestors transported to Australia.

Criminal registers and local newspapers

England and Wales criminal registers, 1791-1892

These are registers of all persons charged with indictable offences in England and Wales.

The original registers are held at TNA (opens new window), and can be searched online at Ancestry (opens new window). This is a subscription website, but can be accessed free of charge at NRO, Norfolk Heritage Centre (NHC) and King's Lynn Borough Archives.

The information given in the registers may include:

The name, age and birthplace of the accused
When and where he or she was tried
The crime and sentence
The date of execution or release
By whom the accused was committed
To whom he or she was delivered

The registers are useful in identifying the court which heard the case, so that you can look for any surviving court records.

Local newspapers

These contain accounts of trials at both the assizes and quarter sessions.

They are available for consultation on microfilm in the NHC.