Borstal Convict Prison

[sheikhalbadou]

Hi there

I am trying to discover what misdeeds led to my ancestor's spell in Borstal Convict Prison near Rochester. I gather this is before it became the first "Borstal" in the early 1900s.

His name was William Clitheroe, he was a collier from St Helens, Lancashire and he is in there on the 1881 census. I don't think he was in there for very long as he is back with his wife by 1891 and they have children born in '76 '78 '84 and '89.

Does anyone know where I can find out more - I have trawled the net without success.

Any suggestions gratefully received

Thanks

Sue