Page images
PDF
EPUB

tants.

the principal openings of the town, which greatly inconvenienced the inhabiThese circumstances having been represented to the corporation, it was ordered in council, on 21st June, 1802, "that for the purpose of widening the street, the present town gaol and the old guard-house be pulled down." Some. matters, however, interfered, which delayed the immediate execution of this order.c The foundation of the new town gaol was, at length, laid in 1807, towards the south of the new county gaol erecting on the Nuns-island. The building was rapidly carried on; and on the 27th of December, 1810, the prisoners were removed into it from the old prison, which was soon after demolished.

d

This prison is situate in front of a branch of the river, in an open and healthy situation, and commands a spacious enlivening prospect of the surrounding suburbs. It is three stories in height; which with the lofty gate and adjoining wings, give the entire an extensive appearance. A few chambers of the basement story of the south wing are occupied by the keeper and his family. The debtors are lodged in a handsome suit of apartments, extending along the entire front of the building. In this division every possible indulgence, consistent with their personal security, is extended to the prisoners. Throughout the entire prison the same regulations and discipline are observed as in the county gaol; and every measure is adopted which judicious rules can provide, or the benevolence of a humane keeper extend, to render the tedious hours of confinement as light as possible to the unfortunate inmates.

On 2d April, 1807, it was stated to the commissioners appointed by act of parliament for building the gaol of the county of Galway, "that the public business of the county and county of the town of Galway would be materially convenienced and expedited by having the respective gaols and session-houses contiguous to each other;" and it appearing to the commissioners that a piece of ground lying outside the boundary wall of the new county gaol, and purchased by them under the provisions for the gaol act, would be sufficient for the purpose, (the said piece then remaining, over and above the ground necessary for the works erecting for the new gaol, and for all the purposes specified in the act,) it was resolved, "that the commissioners do consent and recommend that an act be applied for to amend the Galway gaol act, so as best to answer the purposes aforesaid, provided that the county of the town of Galway shall contribute one sixth part of the expence of said amended act, and also defray one sixth part of the expence of a bridge, which it appears will be requisite to build across the river, for the more convenient access to the town."Orig. minutes.-This act was accordingly obtained, and the building proceeded with as above.

The new gaol commands a front view of the house and plantations of Rahoon, with other seats and villages, Shantalloe, the Presentation convent, the Franciscan nun

ry or lodge on the small island, together with a great part of the west suburbs; and from the rear the main branch of the river, the bridges, town, &c.

Although few will deny that a gaol always looks. best on the outside, yet the interior of this prison is not at all unworthy of attention. Opposite the entrance, at the end of a spacious and lofty hall, after ascending a few steps, an iron door conducts to a dou ble row of cells, with a yard at the end, for the use of the criminals. A flight of stone stairs, on the right, leads to the second story, which contains another row of arched cells corresponding with those underneath. A similar ascent leads to the third story which contains a third row of cells, but these, as the most remote, are generally appropriated to the solitary confinement of incorrigible felons. Additional apartments have recently been erected; and, from the daily increase of crime, it is much to be apprehended that more will soon become necessary.

The cells are built on an uniform plan, and are sufficiently roomy. Each is secured by a strong metal door, and receives light through a small window fastened with iron bars. The only furniture they contain are a metal bed-stead, a stool and table. A few stoves throughout the prison, particularly during the winter months and a free ventilation, would be desirable.

6. County Gaol.

It appears by a record of the reign of Edward I. that in 1303, there was no public prison in Connaught; but this defect was soon after remedied. On the division of the province into counties in 1585, the gaol of the newly created county of Galway was established in the central town of Loughrea. Here it continued until 1674, when it was reported to be "so old and ruinous," that the judges of assize recommended the grand jury to build a new gaol in the town of Galway, and in the mean time directed that the prisoners should be taken care of. They were accordingly brought to Galway and lodged in the town gaol, which was made use of by the county sheriffs until 1686, when a strong castle situate near the west bridge, and adjoining the town walls," was selected by the grand jury to serve as a gaol for the county.

In 1788 Mr. Howard visited this prison, of which he gave the following account :" Galway county gaol is near the river; there is a new court, but no pump; the criminals are in two long rooms with dirt floors and no fire-place; the debtors have small rooms above stairs. Allowance to felons, a sixpenny loaf of household bread every other day, (weight three pound, twelve ounces,) which they often sell for four-pence halfpenny to buy potatoes. Gaoler's salary 201. 1788, April 1. Debtors 4. Felons, &c. 14,"

In 1791 and 1792, presentments passed for erecting a more spacious prison, and, after the necessary arrangements were made, an act of parliament was obtained in April, 1802," for building a new gaol for the county of Galway, and for purchasing land sufficient for the same, and for other purposes relating thereto." The building was soon after commenced, and continued without intermission until the entire was completed, at an enormous expence. The prisoners were removed into it from the old county gaol, about the same time that those of the town were transferred, as mentioned in the last page.

Pat. Roll, 31st Edw. 1, Birm. Tower.-This ancient document states, that the king, for that he had no prison in the county of Connaught, (see pa. 99.) empowered Richard de Bermengeham, sheriff, that taking sufficient fines and security from prisoners, that they would appear before the king's justices, he might at his will and pleasure enlarge them on bail, with the assent and council, however, of Theobald de Burgo or Robert FitzDavid, and so as that he should answer for those fines at the Exchequer. From this record the precarious nature of the English power in Connaught, at this period, may be ascertained.

In this year the town sheriffs complained, " that the common gaol was detained from them by the sheriff of the county, he having no manner of pretence to withhold the same"-upon which it was ordered in council, "that the sheriffs should cause a lock to be put on the lower gaol for the security of their prisoners, and their gaoler to keep the key until the the matter should be decided." -Corp. book.

This castle, it is said, anciently belonged to the chief of the aboriginal sept of the O'Hallorans, and afterwards passed into the Anglo-Norman family of Blake. It was forfeited by them in 1641, and was granted to the family of Morgan of Monksfield, in whose possession it still continues.

The expence of this act amounted to 2161. 4s. 5d. The commissioners first met on 3d May, 1802, and approved of "the southern part of Altenagh, in the Nunsisland, as a fit and convenient place to erect the new gaol." A plan designed (after the model of Gloucester gaol) by Mr. Hardwicke, of Upper Morton-street, Westminster, gaol architect, under the inspection of William Morton Pitt, esq. one of the knights of the shire for the county of Dorset, was approved of. The quantity of ground purchased was 3a. Ir. 111p. the fee simple of which cost 6641. 7s. 6d. subject to a right of free passage for cars and carriages. Captain Richard Morrison was appointed superintending architect.

This extensive prison is esteemed one of the most complete in this part of the united kingdom. It is surrounded by a strong boundary wall twenty feet in height, and is built with solid mason work capped with large hammered stone, and supported by buttresses placed at equal distances. There are also several arched sewers, secured by massive iron grates, which serve for cleansing the wards. The situation was most judiciously chosen; it combines in an eminent degree the principal means of preserving the health of the confined, viz. good air and excellent water, the want of which in the old building often proved fatal. The prison is two stories in height, it is entirely vaulted, and is built in form of a crescent at an equal distance from the boundary wall, inside which it is surrounded by a handsome gravel walk, a quarter of a mile in circumference. Here the debtors are occasionally permitted to walk and amuse themselves. No timber is used in the building, metal, iron and stone having been in every instance substituted. The interior area is divided into eight wards, six for criminals, and two for debtors, one of which is used as an hospital. These different wards are capable of containing 180 prisoners, allowing two to each room. Twelve cells might be added to the wards, 4, 5, and 6. They are separated by walls, which form so many radii of a circle, and, terminating in the rear of the governor's house, bring the whole within the range of his windows, by which means he can at a single glance survey the entire. Out of this area the felons are not permitted to pass, and no intercourse whatever is allowed between the sexes, each being confined to separate wards. No prisoner is ever ironed, the strength and security of the place rendering that inhuman precaution unnecessary; but the greatest attention is paid to their individual cleanliness and comfort. Thus every measure is adopted which either humanity can suggest, or the merciful tendency of our laws allow, to alleviate the sorrows and lighten the burden of captivity.*

The debtors apartments are also comfortable and convenient; they are entirely separate from those of the felons; and the reader may conclude, from the attention paid to the latter, that the accommodation of prisoners detained for debt has not been unattended to."

*On the committal of a culprit, he immediately undergoes a thorough washing and cleansing, and is attired in the prison dress, which consists of a frize jacket, trowsers and cap. All the wards have a constant supply of pure and wholesome water, and each is furnished with a watercloset and reservoir, which are washed every morning by means of a canal and conductors conveyed through the entire building. The beds, of which there are at present about seventy-five, are clean and comfortable, and are hung on swivels two feet from the ground. There is always a good supply of firing, and particular care is taken as to the quality of the 2lbs. of bread, daily distributed to the prisoners.

The morals and religious instruction of these unhappy people are also carefully attended to. In the centre of

all the wards there is a handsome and spacious chapel, in which the Protestant and Catholic chaplains of the prison alternately officiate, and frequently exhort their inconsiderate auditory to a sincere repentance for those crimes which exposed them to the vengeance of the offended laws of their country. These exhortations have been frequently known to produce the most salutary ef fects.

The prison is regulated by the grand-jury of the county, and is at present under the government of a humane and upright individual well qualified for his arduous situation. His apartments are situate opposite the entrance, and, as above, command, from the rear, a view of the entire prison. The turnkey's room, and a guardhouse with suitable accomodations for the soldiery, lie

VI. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

1. County Infirmary.

In the year 1638, the able but despotic lord deputy, Wentworth, directed by warrant under his hand, that a public infirmary should be erected in and for the county of Galway. The troubles which soon after took place prevented the execution of this design, and more than fifty years were suffered to elapse before a small edifice at the Wood-quay, near Galway, was provided for the purpose. After some years this useful establishment was removed, for what was then termed "superior accommodation, to a house in Abbey-gate-street, within the town, where it continued until the present infirmary was opened in the beginning of the present century.

n

[ocr errors]

This spacious and elegant building, which stands in a healthy and elevated situation, at a short distance from the high road or principal entrance to the town, commands from the front an extensive prospect of the bay, and from the rear a view of the lake and adjacent country for many miles round. It is three lofty stories in height, with a range of seven windows in each, front and rear. The architectural design of the exterior is plain, and suitable to the object of the institution, but the interior contains every convenience requisite for establishments of this nature. There are several wards well fitted up for the reception of the patients, of whom between 7 and 800 are admitted annually. Numerous externs also daily receive relief and assistance.

inside the great gate, over which is placed the fatal drop for the execution of criminals.

On 25th March, 1816, the number of confined debtors was 25, felons &c. 85. In 1818, there were 157 prisoners committed (the greatest number at any time before was 186,) 54 debtors, tried of the criminals 127, 25 untried, 139 of them males, 13 females-2 under the age of 17, and above that age 150.

In order to complete this prison, the introduction of labour and useful employment for the confined seems only necessary, and there appears to be sufficient room unoccupied within the building which might be appropriated to the purpose. The establishment of a school would also be productive of the greatest benefits. It has been found by experience, in other places of confinement, that individuals, before notoriously profligate, afterwards became, from the instructions which they received while in prison, useful or inoffensive members of society.

m

The following extract from the reports of the celebrated Howard, who visited this institution in the year 1788, will give the reader an idea of this " superior accommodation:"-" The county infirmary at Galway," says that indefatigable promoter of universal benevolence, is an old house with two rooms on a floor. Those on the second floor are for patients, in one of which there were three men, and in the other nothing but old bed

steads, without bedding, all very dirty; allowance to each three pints of new milk and two pennyworth of bread. A very large house, not finished, is said to be intended for an infirmary."

n

The foundation of the present infirmary was laid many years before the building was thrown open for the use of the public. Pursuant to an act of parliament which passed in the year 1765, "for erecting and establishing public infirmaries and hospitals in this kingdom," a meeting of the corporation of Galway was convened on the 17th of April, 1766, when it was ordered in council," that a committee, consisting of the principal gentlemen of the town, be, and are accordingly appointed, to inquire and find out a proper place within the county of the town of Galway for erecting a public infirmary or hospital for the reception of poor, sick and disabled persons," agreeably to the heads of the bill before alluded This committee having selected the site of the present edifice, the governors of the schools founded by Erasmus Smith, esq. granted two acres of ground gratis for ever, on which it was erected.

to.

• All diseased persons are admitted, except those labouring under contagious fever. Entries are made of every patient's case from the time of admission until cured and discharged, in which the symptoms of their diseases, their general constitution, daily treatment, and the inten

« PreviousContinue »