Escapes.—There have been none since my last visit.

Suicide.—There has been no case since my last visit.

Solitary Confinement by Sentence of Court.—In such cases the bed is taken out of an ordinary cell and the window closed with a shutter. Before the prisoner goes in, his breakfast is given him. He is taken out for an hour, daily, for exercise.

The diet is bread and water; and, on Sundays, potatoes and meat. The longest term of such confinement is a month; the average, a fortnight. Such persons go to chapel.

Refractory prisoners are locked up for one or two days in a darkened cell.

Religious and other Instruction.—About two years ago the curate of a parish in the town began to perform divine service once on Sundays, with a sermon. He comes occasionally at other times to inquire how the prisoners are getting on, but does not go into the wards. He has no salary, I believe.

The chapel is a small ordinary room, with no pulpit.

There is no ladies’ committee here.

The sacrament has not been delivered since my last visit.

The prisoners are attentive at chapel.

Books are well provided, but there is no instruction in reading.

The behaviour of the prisoners is moderately good. About five were punished for refractory conduct in 1839; but no one was put in irons.

The keeper, during the four years that he has been here, is acquainted with no case of reform after discharge.

Treatment of Sick, Disease, and Mortality.—There are no regular infirmary-rooms, but there are rooms with fire-places suitable for the purpose. The surgeon comes sometimes on passing by, to ask how the prisoners are, but only goes into the wards when sent for, or desired to do so, by the keeper. He sends in a bill, and has no salary. The health of this prison is good.

There has been no death since my last visit. I found no one ill, except a man with a venereal affection.

During the last four years, no woman has been confined to her bed, or has had a worse complaint than a cold. The only cases since my last visit have been colds, venereal affections, and itch. I found a bottle of dissolved salts in the day-room, which had been sent by the surgeon; the men took them when they thought proper. With respect to extra diet, one man now here has had half a pint of milk at night, and half a pint of porter at dinner.

Diet.—This is the same as at my last visit: 3/4 lb of meat in the week; 1lb 1/4lb of best bread daily; 1 lb. of potatoes daily; and 4 pints of gruel daily.

Labour.—It is in contemplation here to get a tread-wheel, or to introduce stone-breaking, if the ground of the adjoining malthouse be purchased. At present the prisoners grind beans and barley with a hand and a crank-mill; the latter will occupy five men at once, but no one is present during labour. If they get a tread-wheel, or break stones, it is then intended to have some officer present during the hours of labour. I found four men grinding beans and barley.

The profits of labour are very little.

The prisoners do not go outside the walls to work on any pretext.

Population.—This continues about the same.
The lowest number here at once in 1839 was, 2 (both felons).
The number of admissions from January 1 to December 31, 1839, was:

34 (including debtors).
32 (without debtors).
The above number does not include the night-charges.
The greatest number of women here at once in 1839 was, 2.
Greatest number of debtors at once in 1839, 2 (both men).
During the last four years there have been no female debtors.
At the date of my visit there were here:—
Men.
1 for trial.
4 convicted at sessions.
1 summary conviction.
1 debtor.
7 men, and 1 woman for non-payment of fine. Total, 8.
Of the 7 men, none had been here before.  

Stock.—The bedding consists of 10J prs. of sheets; 22 blankets; 10 mattresses for men; 10 bedsteads. Combs, towels, and soap are well supplied. The stock of clothing consists of 6 suits for men; 16 shirts (12 new); 8 pairs of clogs, and 12 of stockings; 2 shifts; 2 flannel petticoats; 1 black petticoat; 1 pair of shoes; 1 pair of stays; no cap; 2 gowns; 2 aprons.

Registration.—There is one register.
General Remarks.—No prisoner has ever been sent to the county gaol at Stafford during the four years that the keeper has been here. There has been no case of capital offence, or such would have been sent thither.
Relief on Discharge.—Such relief is not afforded without application to the magistrates, and never unless the prisoner has behaved well, and has a long way to go.