Mr. Westernrose to offer some observations on a most important subject, and to move for certain returns connected with it. If more frequent Gaol Deliveries took place, the number of prisoners confined in the different prisons throughout England and Wales, would be diminished in the proportion of at least one-half. Since he had first spoken upon this subject, he had received returns of the number confined at three several successive periods in Kent, Suffolk, and Essex. The House would see, that between October and January the number had increased; whereas, between January and March it had diminished. In Kent, on the 1st of October, there were 54; on the 1st of January, 108; and on the 15th of March, 177. Now, if gaol deliveries had taken place during these periods, he must contend those numbers would have been considerably less. When the returns he was about to move for, should have been laid upon the table, he would submit some specific proposition on the subject. In looking at the returns already prepared for the years 1817 and 1818, it would appear, that the total number of persons confined in the different gaols throughout the kingdom was, in round numbers, 13,000. Of that number there were 2,000 in each year, against whom either no bills were found, or who were not prosecuted, and 2,000 who were acquitted. In the period which elapsed between July and the Lent assises, many persons had been confined who had remained in prison perhaps fourteen or fifteen months before they had been tried—an enormous evil. Whatever the difficulties were, in which such delay originated, they ought to be done away with; and some regulation should be adopted, which should render it unnecessary that they should be detained in custody for so long a period, but, if possible, be brought to trial immediately. It was during that imprisonment that their morals became corrupted. When men first came to a prison, they looked with horror on their situations; but that horror wore off, and their 1274 minds soon became corrupted. It was the prompt execution of laws which could alone produce the effects contemplated by the legislature. He should, for the present move for a "Return of the total number of prisoners that were confined in the different gaols of England and Wales for trial at the present Lent assizes; distinguishing those who were in custody prior to the 1st of October last, the 1st of January last, and the latest period antecedent to the commencement of the gaol delivery; and, as soon as the present Lent assises shall be terminated, that returns may be made to this House, of the number, names, and ages, of the prisoners, male and female, who shall have been severally tried in each county of England and Wales, specifying the dates of their several commitments, and arranging the returns in the order thereof; specifying also, the crimes with which they shall have been charged, and the verdicts and sentences that shall have been passed upon them; also, returns of those who shall have been discharged by proclamation, or by reason of no bills being found against them, with the dates of commitment in like manner, and the crimes with which they were charged upon commitment."—Ordered.