Kent Prisons
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Prisons in the County of Kent
Source: Kelly's Directory 1902 Canterbury p.017 Westgate, the best built and largest the city has to boast of: it is open to
the long and wide street which meets the London Rd, has a bridge of two arches
over the western branch of the Stour, at the foot of it, and is now used as the
city prison, both for debtors and felons. The entrance to this prison was a kind
of cage until very lately; for in 1775 the cage was taken down.. The town hall
or guildhall in the middle of High Street is a noble lofty room, with a
capacious gallery over the door, for taking the poll at elections; when, to
avoid crowding, the voters go up one staircase and come down another. The way
into the hall is under the above mentioned gallery. On each side of the entrance
are two rooms, the one of impanelling juries, the other for securing prisoners;
for Canterbury being a county within itself, has the power of trying capital
cases, if the facts are committed within the city or its liberties; a court for
which purpose is held every Monday, and another for the affairs of the
Corporation every other Tuesday. A Court of Conscience is likewise held there
every Thursday. Maidstone
Source: Kelly's Directory 1902
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