Prison info (Chatham 1881)

[hbaid]

I think I've found an ancestor in the 1881 census as a prisoner in H.M. Convict Prison Chatham Kent.  Does anyone know if its possible (and how) to find out why somebody would be in prison during this time period and when they were released?  Also, I can't find any information on Chatham prison itself.  From the internet search I've done so far it seems as though it no longer exists.

[casalguidi]

Hi

I am not 100% certain but this may have been the convict prison which later became the borstal:

http://www.borstal.org.uk/history/whats_in_a_name.shtml

For surviving court records ie. quarter sessions you will need to enquire with The Centre for Kentish Studies at Maidstone as to what survives the that particular date/area:

http://www.kent.gov.uk/e&l/artslib/archives/archcks.html

and/or Medway Archives

http://cityark.medway.gov.uk/

Both should also be able to tell you whether they know the whereabouts of any surviving records for the convict prison.

There are also some convict records at the National Archives ie.

1868-1971 Calendar of Prisoners - This class comprises after trial lists, mainly printed, of prisoners tried at Assize and Quarter Sessions. For each person they give: age, trade, previous convictions, name of committing magistrate, date of warrant, when received into custody, offence (and name of victim), date of trial, before whom tried, verdict, sentence or order of the court. They are arranged by year, county and date.

http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=253

Best wishes

Casalguidi

[honeybun]

I don't think the convict prison became the Borstal (but I will try to find out) as this was in the village of Borstal, close to Rochester.  Also I seem to remember reading something about a convict prison being close to the barracks in Chatham/New Brompton.  If I can find the info I will do another post.

I lived in the village of Borstal all my childhood up until I left at 21, round the corner from the Borstal Institution, and I think it arrived much later.  There is no prison in Chatham now, the nearest is Maidstone - and the Borstal Institution is still there with the Cookham Wood prison for women offenders.  Myra Hindley was there for a long time.

Honeybun

[honeybun]

Me again

Just been into the Armed Forces board and there is a question on institutions in the 1901 Census.  On the website address there I found a reference to HM Convict prison in - Borstal.

It may not have been on the same site as the Borstal Institution now is - however the website is:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/Jeffrey.knaggs/Instuts.html

If I've transcribed this website wrongly, you could check it out on the board.

Honeybun

[Patches]

Hi Honeybun

I have an old map of Medway,  no idea what year, got it from one of those books with old pics in from library, but it shows the convict prison which is behind Brompton barracks out towards the river.  If I can get my scanner working I'll email it to you.

As for Borstal Prison, different place altogether, see site
www.borstal.org.uk/

Patches

[Patches]

Hi

If anyone wants to see map, cant attach it its too big, send me a pm with email address.

Patches

[honeybun]

Hi Patches

Haven't seen you on the website for a while and wondered if you were still on the family history trail!

I'm not the one wanting the info, that's hbaid, however I did read somewhere that there was a convict prison near the barracks in Brompton but I can't find my notes on it.  Wonder if it was attached to the military?  Only other thing I can think of are the prison hulks on the Medway, and that was around Charles Dickens' time.

Regards

Honeybun

[Tewks]

Hi

Wondered if anyone had information on Chatham Prison. My Great Great Grandfather was Assistant Warden there from Oct 1863 to June 1869 then Warden from June 1869 till his retirement in May 1881.

I have his retirement gift and testimonial.

Thanks.

[casalguidi]

Hi Tewks

Welcome to Rootschat

Have you tried enquiring with Medway Archives or searching their website http://cityark.medway.gov.uk/

As an aside, for others searching for information on prisoners there, I have just done a search of the National Archives website and found

Home Office and Prison Commission: Prisons Records, Series 1 PCOM 2/1
Prisoners: registers . Prisoners: registers CHATHAM, CO. KENT Home Office and Prison Commission: Prisons Records, Series 1 Prisoners: Registers
Date range: 1856 - 1859.

Other ref. numbers appear to be:

PCOM 2/2 1859-1866
PCOM 2/3 1866-1871
PCOM 2/4 1871-1881
PCOM 2/5 1881-1886
PCOM 2/6 1886-1892

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ - try searching for Chatham prison or Chatham prison registers

Casalguidi