Hi Jaquie
I had an ancestor that I found the death certifcate for in 1852.
It said:
Death Certificate
George Swarbrooks, 28yrs, Convict Prisoner No 3467, Dartmoor
Prison, Lidford, notified by M A Vallack, County Coroner,
Torrington, Devon on 29th September 1856. (Ref HO8-129)
So I contacted Dartmoor Prison by letter telling them of this death certificate and asking for further details - they wrote back and said unfortunately there records were destroyed in the riots of 1932, but one of their officers was a local historian and he told me George was buried in Princetown - just his initials GS showing where he is buried. He advised me to get in touch with the PRO for details of his trial / sentence, etc.
Trial - Ref HO27/106
Actual charge was 'Stealing from a Dwelling House £5.00 or
more"- also charged with him were DAVID GRANGER alias
PYEMAN,(same charge but "not before convicted of felony"-
sentence was 6 months) and ELIZABETH COOPER alias GARRATTY (same
charge but aquitted)
Offence committed was stealing £20 from a Dwelling House,
convicted at Stafford on 29th June 1853
Sentenced to 7yrs Hard Labour - awaiting transportation.
Had previous conviction of a felony - More information in the
listings of the Courts.
So, going back to your question - try contacting Parkhurst Prison and asking if they have archives, if so, how do you access them - or can they give you any details where to go next.
Chris in 1066Land