Gloucestershire and the birth of the modern prison : an illustrated talk by Jim Heavens
In the eighteenth century, prison conditions were appalling. Gaol fever and insanitary conditions made prisons not only unpleasant but dangerous. While many acknowledged the poor conditions, few were willing to do anything practical to address them.
One who was, was the High Sherriff of Gloucestershire, Sir George Onesiphorus Paul. By force of personality and argument he pushed forward plans for the building of a new county gaol in Gloucester in 1792, and reformed and rebuilt other places of detention in the county.
Jim Heavens will explain how the prison was established under Paul’s direction and how the changes he made proved influential in the design and management of prisons in the nineteenth century and beyond.
Venue: URC Chapel High Street, Oldland Common, BS30 9QN 7.00pm for 7.30 start