Resident of Weston sent to Shepton Mallet prison published by on Sat, 13/08/2016 - 15:25
I am researching the Jakeway family of Weston-super-Mare and have discovered Mary Ann Jakeway convicted of theft in 1880 and sentenced to 9 months hard labour in Shepton Mallet prison. I realise that Shepton Mallet is outside the boundary of Weston-super-Mare FHS but as it was the destination for many Westonians convicted of crime, I wonder if anyone has any information concerning the conditions and/or regime for women prisoners in Shepton Mallet gaol at that time.
There is quite a bit online about the history of this prison which only closed in 2013.
Francis Disney, who had been a Warder at Shepton Mallet, published a book entitled "Shepton Mallet Prison - 390 years of Prison Regime" in 1992. Chapter 15 - dealing briefly with conditions in the latter part of the 19th Century - contains this passage: "Female prisoners sentenced to hard labour were to pick not less than three pounds of oakum per day." It also lists the clothing of female inmates and a typical daily routine for prisoners.
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