Inspection of a Gaol

‘Visited and inspected the Gaol this day. One prisoner was locked up in solitary confinement for refusal to work. His excuse was that he was unable from illness to work at the Treadmill. I directed that the Surgeon should make a report upon his case. The convicts who attempted to escape still exhibit the most refractory conduct, and the Governor having reported that he did not consider it safe for their irons to be removed I ordered them to be kept on. The Gaol perfectly clean, and with the exception of the two prisoners who have been already ill for a long time, perfectly healthy.’ George Gillman, 2 August 1849 Taken from the Portsmouth Visiting Justices Book 1848 – 1869. The Portsmouth gaol at this time was situated in Penny Street.