[From Home Office File HO 98/67]

State of the Prison - 12 July 1811

Castle Rushen Isle of Man 12th July 1811

Smelt to Ryder

Sir

I have the honor to enclose for your inspection a Memorial addressed me from the House of Keys representing the state and situation of the Prison at Castle Rushen, and the want of some temporary places of security at Douglas, Peel, and Ramsey in case persons who are apprehended cannot undergo immediate examination.

The Prison at Castle Rushen which is the only one on the island, is formed out of what was formerly the guard Room of the Castle. It is divided into three small rooms, in which debtors, criminals and persons under confinement for misdeameanors, are indiscriminately lodged. The size of the prison does not admit of any means of separating the sexes, or such as may be afflicted with sickness; and from the impossibility of separating the Prisoners, confinement as a punishment for lesser crimes cannot be inflicted with any prospect of advantage to the Party, or as an example to the public.

The great Resort of Strangers of late years to the Island has in a great measure contributed to the crowded state of the Prison; and whilst it was [deemed] expedient that the legislature of the Island [should consider] the protection afforded by the Manx Laws to persons escaping from their creditors in Great Britain it seems but just, that some provision should be made for the dec[] [xxciption] of such as incur fresh debts in this Island; especially as many of them are persons who by misfortune or otherwise are reduced from situations of respectability. the Courts of Justice being in the Castle, the approach to them is past the Prison, which renders it both insecure and incommodious to the public: and I cannot omit to state that the yard for the Prisoners to take exercise, is in the north ditch of the Castle, and from exclusion of the Sun for a considerable period of the day is extremely cold and damp.

The Cost and charge of providing Prisons appertained by the ancient laws and usages of the Island to the Lord. The Keys and Inhabitants are induced to hope from this cicumstance, that Great Britain being now possessed of the Sovreignity of the island, will with her accustomed liberality extend her Aid to provide such places of confinement as may be deemed suitable to the views of Justice and the feelings of humanity.

If I was not compelled by sentiments of Justice to those who may succeed me, I should from motives of personal delicacy refrain from stating, that part of the Lieutenant Governor's residence is over the Prison, many of the windows looking into the Yard, and the least noise is distinctly heard, and in many instances found highly inconvenient.

I have the honor &c

To the Honorable Cornelius Smelt Esqr Lieut Governor of the Isle of Man.

the Memorial of the House of Keys, the Constitional Representatives of the People of the said Isle.

Sheweth

That in consequence of the repeated Representations made to this House of the State of the Gaols or Prisons in this Island, this House directed a Committee to examine the Gaols or Prisons in Castle Rushen, and by their Report, It appears that the said Gaols or Prisons are too small, without separate or distinct Places of Confinement for Criminals or Debtors, nor any Means of separating the Sexes or the Sick.

That there is not at present a Gaol or Place of Confinement for Civil or Criminal Prisoners either at Douglas, Peel or Ramsey, save a Military Guard Room. It therefore appears to this House, it is necessary to have an Addition to the Gaol or Prison in Castle Rushen, and also [] some Place of Security for civil and criminal Prisoners at Douglas Peel and Ramsey.

We therefore feel it our Duty to represent the Same to you Honor and pray that your Honor take such Steps, and also Such Measure, for furnishing Such Additions as may be found expedient and necessary

By Order of the House

John Taubman Speaker

Notes