Devon Prisons

Devon Prisons

Barnstaple Gaol
Bideford Gaol
Bradnench Gaol
Dartmouth Prison
Exeter City Gaol
Exeter Debtors Gaol
Exeter Gaol
Exeter House of Correction
Lawfords Gate House of Correction
Plymouth Gaol
Plympton Gaol
Saltash Gaol
Tiverton Gaol

Prisons located within the County of Devon

Devonport Gaol
The Governor of Devonport Gaol recently related to Mr. Tallack, the Secretary of the Howard Association, an incident which well illustrates the effect of requiring prisoners to contribute towards their own maintenance and punishment. A vagrant who had been confined for a fortnight was obliged to work at hard but useful labour in his cell; and on his discharge the governor informed him that his earnings during his imprisonment amounted to double the cost of his food `so that you have also contributed so much towards my salary' This was quite a new idea to the vagrant, who at once perceived that he was making a fool of himself by entering a gaol where he must compulsorily pay for his own punishment, in addition to his support. He replied - `Then you shall never see me here again' And he has kept his word.
Source: The Builder 1869 Vol XXVII pp1029, 25th December 1869
Submitted by Alan Longbottom.