HC Deb 05 July 1820 vol 2 cc216-7
Sir James Mackintosh

presented a petition from Robert Hawkes and Edward Taylor, sheriffs of Norwich, complaining that the assizes for the city were only held once a-year. The grievance of which the petitioners complained was a very serious one. The House was aware that, under the present regulations, the assizes for Norwich were only held once a-year, and that the spring assizes for the county did not extend to the city. The city of Norwich had, therefore, the same grievance to complain of as the four northern counties, which had already been under the consideration of the House. The spring assizes for the county of Norfolk were held at Thetford, and the summer assizes in the city of Norwich. One individual, committed on the 11th Sept. 1819, was confined ten months in prison previous to trial; two were committed on the 30th Sept. 1819; one on the 6th Oct. 1819; two on the 15th Jan., and one on the 3rd Feb. 1820. The petitioners expressed their hope that the House would take the subject into their serious consideration, in order that they might enjoy the same right possessed by nearly the whole of the counties of England. The hon. member trusted that the wisdom of parliament would devise some means of redressing this great grievance.

Mr. Harbord

thought that the grievance complained of could not be expressed in too strong language, and objected parti- cularly to the unhealthiness of the cells in which the prisoners were confined. Several of these cells were three feet below the surface of the ground, and the only day-room for the accommodation of the prisoners was eight feet below the ground, and consequently very damp and unwholesome. At the time he examined the prison, there were then ten untried prisoners, of whom the eldest was 18, and they were only divided from the convicts by an open railing. There were four cardinal points which were peculiarly deserving of attention on this subject—classification, inspection, constant employment, and moral and religious instruction. Three of these were wholly neglected in the gaol in which these prisoners were con6ned.

Mr. Colborne

did not deny the existence of the grievance complained of, but thought it might be easily remedied. The Norwich sessions might be empowered to try those prisoners who had been confined for any length of time; or the prisoners might be removed to the town of Thetford, there to undergo their trial. He saw no reason why a short bill should not be introduced to this effect.

Sir J. Mackintosh

objected to the two remedies proposed by the hon. member: to the first, because he thought it would be an act of injustice; and to the second, because an unnecessary expense would be incurred.

Ordered to lie on the table.