This is a stone built prison which was the first to hold prisoners in individual cells. The first jail was built in 1779 and the present one in 1860, very little of the original prison was left, but it is likely that some materials were used for the new prison.
 During its 150 years of being a used prison people were being executed by hanging.
The prison was built to hold 100 people during 1779 it held only 13 people but by 1840 there were 155 including some women, as punishment people were made to work, with the people serving the longest time doing the hardest jobs.
In 1911 the women’s part was closed and in 1916 the civil prison was closed, it ceased being a prison of any kind in 1927.
As the prison held many executions, and was also a place of suffering they is said to be many hauntings including Matthew Weekes who was executed for murdering his girlfriend, because he was innocent.
Anne Jefferies who was ordered to starve to death until she admitted to being a witch, she lasted 3 months.
Also things are said to move by themselves, the rattling of keys can be heard, orbs have been seen, and people can be heard. People have also said loud bangs can be heard from outside the prison even though there is no one inside.
|
