Police, Prisons, Jails and Asylums.

**

Police Establishment.**

The first institution of Police in Dublin, is supposed to have taken place in the reign of Elizabeth, but upon a very different system from the present; - to this succeeded a class of peace-preservers, and night-guards, called watchmen, who were introduced in the reign of George I. The watchmen did not preserve the nightly quiet of the city so effectually as they might have done, for many of them were convicted of aiding in robberies, and even murders, committed within the city: this led Mr. Orde to introduce the Police act, in 1785.

Though this body was exceedingly efficient, yet being entireiy appointed by the government, the citizens became jealous of their interference, and appeared to feel themselves rather under the control of a military force, than as having their properties and peace preserved by an useful establishment.

Many attempts were made in parliament to abolish the Police, and substitute city guardians less offensive to the inhabitants; and a resistance on the part of government, for ten successive years, gave rise to many serious results to the nation in general.

At length, in the year 1795, the Police act was repealed, and the former miserable system of watch restored.

This wretched mode of preserving the peace, was continued for ten or twelve ye-sans, when the Duke of Wellington, then Secretary of State in Ireland, introduced the present police act, from which the metropolis has derived such infinite advantage; and which is now matured to a degree of perfection, which the noble framer of the act could hardly have contemplated.

The whole establishment consists of twelve magistrates, four of whom must be aldermen; four Sheriffs’ Peers, and four Barristers, of not less than six years standing. One half of this number is selected by the Government, the other by the Common Council.

Every magistrate receives a salary of 500l.* per annum, with the exception of the chief magistrate of police, whose salary is 600l. *per annum. The police establishment also take cognizance of all improprieties and impositions committed by drivers of hackney-coaches and cars, and by sedan-chair-men, &c. Against whom, complaints must be lodged within a few days after the commission of the offence, or they will not be attended to.

There are four offices of police in Dublin, one for each of the districts into which the city is divided. The principal or head police-office is in Exchange-court; this belongs to the Castle Division: the others are in James-street, Mountrath-street, and College-street.

In each of these, three magistrates preside, some one of whom is always in attendance, from about ten to three o’clock every day, and from six to eight in the evening; one Alderman, one Sheriffs’ Peer, and one Barrister, are attached to every office. The police consist; of both a** **horse patrole and body of infantry, besides more than four hundred watchmen. The horse-police, not only patrole the streets, but the environs of Dublin to the distance of eight miles. There are in the neighbourhood, at different distances from the city, police-houses, where guards are stationed.

The power lately vested in the superintendant magistrate has been transferred to those of the head office of police, which retains 31 peace-officers in its employment while the divisional offices are allowed but seven each.

It sends persons on duty not only to all parts of Ireland but to England, Scotland, and even the Continent. It grants licenses to all hotel-keepers, publicans, pawn-brokers, &c. There are now 55 pawn-brokers, 28 hotel-keepers, 150 licensed hackney-coaches, 140 job and 20 mourning coaches, 750 jaunting-cars, 3,700 town cars, 1,600 country cars, 260 brewers’ drays, and 65 hackney sedans **

Prisons.

Newgate** - the principal gaol for malefactors of all descriptions, is in Green-street. Formerly the gaol was an old castle on the town wall, over the gate leading from Cutpurse-row to Thomas-street; and from its situation, derived the name of Newgate, which appellation was transferred to the present prison.

This building, which stands on a rectangular piece of ground, 170 feet by 130, is after a design of Mr. Thomas Cooley, the architect of the Exchange, and is faced with granite-stone, from the Dublin Mountains. the front consists of three stories, the lower rusticated, and the two upper perforated by windows divested of ornament: the centre is surmounted by a pediment, and in front of the upper story of this part of the building, are the platform and apparatus for execution. At each angle is a round tower with loop-holes; and one side of the prison has no other windows than these apertures. In this wing, prisoners of the lowest class were generally confined, and from the exorbitant fees or ”garnish money,” demanded for any accommodation however wretched, these unfortunate miscreants were compelled to suspend a small bag from the loop-holes by a cord, and beg alms from the passenger; but this extremity of human misery, together with many shameful improprieties practised and countenanced within the prison walls, called forth the interference of Mr. W. Pole, Secretary of State for Ireland, who made a serious reformation in the discipline of Newgate.

The interior is divided into two nearly equal parts by a broad passage, having on either side lofty walls with iron gates, through which visitors may speak with the prisoners. At the end of this passage is the gaoler’s house, the front of which is in Halstein-street; but the turnkeys have apartments in the prison. There is a chapel attached to the prison, and three chaplains, one of the Established Church, one of the Roman Catholic persuasion, and a Dissenting clergyman.

The cells are not sufficiently numerous for the number of criminals that must necessarily be at all times confined in the gaol of a large city, nor are they of sufficient magnitude to accommodate more titan one, each being only twelve feet long by eight in breadth they all open into corridors, which look into the court-yard, and are locked at night.

The foundation of his building was laid in 1773, and it was opened for the reception of criminals in 1781. It is not considered either well situated or strongly built, the blocks of stone not being cramped as they are in the county-gaol. Few prisoners, however, have ever been able to effect their escape, without the connivance of the turn-keys. A few years since, when the gaol was crowded with convicts destined for transportation to Botany Bay, a conspiracy was formed to break through the walls; but the plot was fortunately detected in time.

Front that period, no irregularity or spirit of insubordination has appeared, owing partly to better internal arrangement, and partly to a diminution of crime in the city, by which the number of prisoners is much reduced. **

The County Gaol** is situated near the Royal Hospital, and is called Kilmainham-gaol. A court-house has been lately erected close to it, but as neither of these are within the city, any detail of them would be improper here.

The internal regulation of both these gaols, has been of late, greatly benefitted, and the last improvement which has received the sanction of the High Court of Parliament, viz. the abolition of fees, has scarcely left any thing more to do in the government of prisons, but have the present systems strictly observed. Besides the gaoler and his deputy, there are five turnkeys, a surgeon, physician, inspector, and three chaplains: a subaltern guard does duty at the prison. There is one improvement yet wanting in *Irish *prisons in general, viz. the employment of the prisoners, and whoever has visited Lancaster Castle will feel strongly the force of this observation.

Sheriff’s Prison. - Previously to 1794, persons arrested for debts exceeding 10l. were generally lodged in “Sponging Houses,” where the most’ infamous practices were permitted, as the unhappy debtor would make any sacrifice of his property to be allowed to escape before some new claimant seized upon him.

In 1794, the Sheriff’s prison in Green-street was erected; which is a large building, forming three sides of a square, and having a court-yard in the centre. At the first institution of this prison, the gaoler, turnkeys, and other officers were supported by the rent of the chambers, which was very exorbitant, and a considerable rent, above 100l. per annum, was paid by a vintner, who had a shop in the under-ground story. Front such an arrangement, it is obvious abuses must have arisen, and vice and infamy of every description been encouraged in its growth. But happily all this scene of debauchery, profligacy, gambling, and extortion, has vanished with the abolition of gaol fees; and the removal of this allurement has diminished the charms of confinement, which a profligate mind never failed to discover within the precincts of the Sheriffs’ prison.

The court-yard in the centre is used as a ball-court, but is much too confined for the number of debtors, of whom there are usually about 100. The Marshalsea and Kilmainham gaol, however, afford accommodation to so many of those whose health is impaired by confinement in Green-street, and the Insolvent act removes the Irish debtor’s so quickly, that the number at present, in this prison, is comparatively small. There is no chaplain or surgeon, nor any means of support for the poor debtors, except the contributions of their friends and Powell’s gratuity. This last resource is derived from 700l. bequeathed by Mr. Powell (formerly confined in this goal) and vested in the hands of the Lord Mayor and board of Aldermen, who distributes the interest of it amongst the poor debtors at Christmas. **

City Marshalsea**. - This wretched mansion is a mean-lookinf brick building, intended solely for the confinement of persons arrested for debts under 10l.; in general they do not exceed 40 shillings. The debtors are committed by the decrees of the Lord Mayor’s Court and the Court of Conscience. The interior exhibits a picture of the deepest distress and misery. Very frequently, benevolent persons send sums of money to this prison to procure the discharge of those creatures, and there can be a more truly charitable mode of giving relief, as a large family of infant children, is probably dependent on the poor prisoner for existence.

Before the erection of this building, which is between the Sheriff’s prison and the Session-house in Green-street, the poor debtor’s were confined in a wretched hovel on the merchant’s quay, having a window without glazing, secured by iron bars: here one or two of them stood, holding a box with a small hope in the top, and earnestly supplicated charity from every passer-by. **

Four Courts Marshalsea**. - This place of confinement, situated in Marshalsea-lane, in Thomas-street, is also intended for debtors. here are placed not only the debtors who health has been injured by confinement in the unwholesome air of the Sheriff’s prison, but others from various parts of Ireland who are anxious to take the benefit of the Insolvent Act. The building consists entirely of lime-stone, and may be said to have no principal front : it is separated from Marshalsea-land by a high wall, unbroken by any aperture.

The situation is extremely healthy, being on the very summit of a rising ground and on the southern bank of the Liffey. In the prison are two court-yards, one of which, surrounded by the chambers of the debtors, has pumps in its centre, which yield a constant supply of water. In the other court is a cold bath.

Here are likewise a chapel, several common-halls, a ball-court, and tolerably good accommodation for the debtors: indeed, from the great fluctuation in the number of prisoners committed to this Marshalsea, it would be a matter of great difficulty to decide, whether or not it ought to be enlarged. There is one desideratum yet, in the construction of this place of confinement, viz. a perfect ventilation, which might be accomplished by perforating the wall in Marshalsea-lane, as was suggested by Francis Johnston, Esq. some time back, who also showed that it would not be attended with any diminution of security to the prison, but it has not yet been adopted. **

Sessions-House**. - In 1792, the first stone of the Sessions House in Green-street was laid, and trials were held there in five years after. The front consists of six three-quarter columns supporting a pediment; between the columns in the second story are circular-headed windows, and in the lower story blank windows; the doors on either side are approached by a flight of steps, extending along the front, and terminated by a broad platform, from which the columns rise. There is another front corresponding to this, in Halstein-street, leading to the apartments in which the agents sit during contested elections.

In the interior of the court-house, which is lofty and spacious, the centre in front of the bench is occupied by the table for the examination of witnesses, the dock, &c.; and on each side is a gallery, part of which is appropriated to the jury, and the remainder to the accommodation of the public. The ceiling, which is flat, is supported by four large Ionic columns; and, upon crowded occasions, the court is capable of being extremely well ventilated.

There are four distinct courts held here. The Quarter Sessions, when the Recorder and two Aldermen at least preside and try petty offences.

The court of Over and Terminer sits about six times each year in this court-house, and tries for crimes of a blacker nature than are brought before the court of Quarter Sessions. On this occasion two of the Puisne Judges preside.

The Lord Mayor’s court sits every Thursday, and regulates all disputes relative to journeymen, apprentices, servants, &c. At this court his Lordship and the two Sheriff; preside.

The Recorder’s court is held in January, April, July, and October. At this court various offences and misdemeanours are tried, and actions are brought for debt by civil-bill process. In this court were held all theState Trials in 1798 and 1803, of those who were tried by the Civil Law. **

Manors.**

There are four manor courts attached to the city, Grange Gorman or Glasnevin, Thomas Court and Donore, St. Sepulchre’s and the Deanery of St Patrick’s. The manors were town lands united to the city, but still preserving their own jurisdiction. **

The Mayor of Grange Gorman includes** that part of Dublin on the north, which lies in the neighbourhood of Glasnevin and Mountjoy-square. The Seneschal holds his court in a private house in Dorset-street, at the corner of the circular road. He has in his employment a Marshal and Registrar. The lord of this manor is the Dean of Christ-church. Population of that part of the manor within the circular road, 6,035, and number of house 586. Population outside, 6,072, houses 691. **

Manor of Thomas Court and Donore**. - In 1545 Henry VIII. granted the monastery of Thomas-court, to William Brabazon, ancestor of the Earl of Meath, since which period the appointment of the Seneschal, Registrar &c. are vested in the Meath family. The court-house is a wretched brick building in Thomas-court, Thomas-street, where small debts are sued for, before the Seneschal, whose powers were formerly very considerable within his own boundaries; but the improvement in the government of the city in general, have rendered the exertion of those powers unnecessary.

The court was first established in the reign of King John, and its jurisdiction extended over the principal part of the liberties and part of the environs at the south side of the city. The population of this manor is 11,207, the number of houses 913. **

Manor of St. Sepulchre**. - The court-house and prison of St. Sepulchre are situated at the end of the long lane in Kevin-street, near the New Meath Hospital.

The Court-house is a modern building, fronted with mountain-granite. The jurisdiction of this court, as far as relates to the city of Dublin, is confined to part of St. Peter’s, in which are St. Kevin’s-parish, and the parish of St. Nicholas Without. The Seneschal of these Liberties is appointed by the Archbishop of Dublin, who is the Lord of the Manor of St. Sepulchre.

Before the erection of the present court-house, the Seneschal sat in the Archiepiscopal-palace in Kevin-street, now occupied by the horse-police. The prison for debtors, in this manor, is at the rear of the New Court-house. The Population of the manor is 13,179, and the number of houses 1,033. **

Manor of the Deanery of St. Patrick’s**. - The Dean of St. Patrick’s is Lord of this Manor, which extends only a few hundred yards on each side of the cathedral: it is inhabited by some of the very poorest people in the city, and the court of the manor has been discontinued. The only advantage its poor inhabitants possess is, that they are exempt from the jurisdiction of other courts, as to the recovery of trifling debts, and sometimes elude the clutches of the bailiff by flying for refuge to the confines of their own manor. The number of inhabitants is 2,289, and of houses 159. **

House of Correction.

Dublin Penitentiary**. - This extensive building is situated on the circular road, near New-street; and is built of lime-stone, the ornamental parts being granite. The entrance is through a large gate of particularly heavy and durable workmanship. A Barbican, after the manner of that of a Feudal Castle, is placed in front, connected by screen walls with flanking towers: this is merely an out-work, and is separated from the body of the building by a wide passage, intended as a rope-walk. On the frieze is this appropriate inscription:-

“Cease to do evil, learn to do well.”

And over the porter’s lodge are the city arms with the words

“Obedientia civium urbis felicitas.”

The interior is divided into two extensive courts entirely encompassed with buildings; the dormitories are cells opening to a corridor, having doors at each end which are locked at night. The second floor is devoted to purposes of industry. The males and females occupy distinct parts of the building, and both are kept closely to employment. The former are only in a moderate state of subordination; but the female criminals, partly owing to the exertion of several humane and religious persons who regularly visit this place of confinement, are brought to such habits of industry and propriety, that they have more distinct notions of morality and religion, upon quitting the house of Correction, than when they entered it; which is the reverse in almost all other prisons.

Attached to the gaol is a large garden of three acres and a half, well cultivated by the male convicts, and capable of supplying the prison with vegetables.

This establishment occupies altogether about five acres of ground, and cost about 30,000l. which was levied on the city of Dublin. The first stone was laid 1813, by the late Duke of Richmond, then Lord Lieutenant. The principal keeper is appointed by the grand jury.

Another house of correction, commonly called “Bridewell,” Situated in Smithfield, was opened for the reception of young criminals, in 1801.

Richmond General Penitentiary. – This penitentiary is situated in Grange Gorman-lane, adjoining the House of Industry. The front towards Grange Gorman-lane measures about 700 feet, and consists of a centre of considerable breadth, crowned by a large pediment, and wings of great extent: the portals are at a distance from the main body of the building, and are connected by high curtain walls. There is an extremely handsome cupola, containing a clock with four dials, over the centre of the front, which is built of a black stone, quarried in the vicinity of Dublin; the ornamental parts are all of mountain-granite. The central appearance of this façade is very imposing, and calculated to produce in the mind of the approaching criminal, an impression of hopeless incarceration, and compel him to resign at once every idea of liberty, unless deserved by a reformation of conduct.

This extensive building, the first stone of which was laid in 1812, by the late Duke of Richmond, is after a design of Francis Johnston, Esq. and cost upwards of 50,000l.

At the rear of the building, retired from all communication with its other parts, are a number of cells, where the culprits are enclosed in solitary confinement on their first admission; they are, in proportion to their conduct, gradually removed into others more cheerfully situated, where they are permitted to hold intercourse with their fellow-creatures, an enjoyment at first denied them: and should they continue improving in habits of morality and industry, they are ultimately permitted to join those who have undergone the same beneficial ordeal with themselves. **

The Magdalen Asylum** - is a brick building in Leeston-street, near Stephen’s street: this institution, the first of the kind in Dublin, was founded by Lady Arabella Denny, and was opened June II, 1766. Its objects are the protection and subsequent reformation of deserted females, who having at first departed from the paths of virtue, have become disgusted with vice, and seek the means of qualifying themselves once more to associate with moral society.

Its means of support are, the interest of 2,000l. raised originally by voluntary subscriptions, the collection of the annual charity-sermon, and the Sunday collections of the chapel. The produce of the penitents’ labour is partly bestowed upon them, as an incentive to industry, and a part is reserved for donations upon their being restored to moral habits, and permitted to quit the asylum.

The chapel is capable of containing upwards of 600 persons, and is always crowded by the most respectable classes; consequently, the collections are considerable, probably amounting to 500l. per annum. Among other causes this is to be attributed to the eloquence and popularity of the preacher. **

Lock Penitentiary**. - About 1789, a chapel was opened in Dorset-street, called the Bethesda, at the sole expense of William Smyth, Esq. nephew of Dr. Arthur Smyth, Archbishop of Dublin; who added an Orphan School and Asylum for female chilcren only, who are lodged in apartments over the chapel.

To this was annexed, in 1794, a penitentiary or Asylum for the reception and employment of destitute females, leaving the Lock hospital. These unhappy creatures are accommodated in an excellent house attached to the chapel, and are supported by contributions, by the collections in the chapel, and by the produce of their own labour, in washing, mangling, &C

The chapel, which has lately been much enlarged, is spacious and convenient, but without any ornament. Divine service is performed here at the usual hour of the established church, and the attendance is extremely numerous and respectable, so that it is very difficult for a stranger to procure a seat. The late chaplain was John Walker, fellow of the University of Dublin, and founder of a religious sect which bears his name [see section on religions]. **

Bow-Street Asylum**. - This asylum was established by Mr. Dillon, a merchant, who had been, when an infant, left at the door of a bricklayer in Bow-street, and was reared by him, and taught his trade. Returning from labour one evening he was interrupted by a wretched female, who endeavoured to seduce his virtuous mind from its purer course; but virtue triumphed over vice, and he succeeded in persuading the unfortunate female to accept of support from him until an asylum was procured, which would afford her a permanent shelter. While employed in this noble undertaking, he was acknowledged by his parents, and succeeded to a considerable fortune, part of which he bestowed upon his favourite and charitable project. Mr. Dillon shortly after withdrew from Ireland, but the asylum continues in a flourishing condition, and gives protection to above 40 penitents. The chaplain is a Roman Catholic clergyman. **

Townsend-street Asylum**. - This little asylum is supported by Roman Catholics, although it admits persons of all religious persuasions. It was founded by a few weavers from the Liberty, in whom nature had implanted correct moral notions, and who voluntarily associated for the management, and subscribed for tire support of this very desirable charity.

The penitents are supported by contribution, and the produce of their industry in washing, mangling, &c. **

Dublin Female Penitentiary**. - This penitentiary originated in the feeling disposition and amiable minds of a few females of respectability, at the north end of the city, In 1813, a large commodious house was erected for the penitents, in an extremely healthy situation on the North Circular-road, near Eccles-street, behind which is a spacious chapel. The penitents are employed in washing, mangling, &c. and those who are capable are allowed to devote their exertions to fancy works, which are disposed of at a repository in one wing of the building.

There are, in general, about 30 females on the establishment. Besides the produce of their labour, and occasional donations, there is an annual sermon preached for the support of the institution. **

Asylums.**

Besides those already mentioned, there are several others through the city and suburbs equally deserving of notice. The Widows’-house, in James-street, was founded by John Loggins, a coach-driver, who miraculously escaped destruction when Kilcullen-bridge fell. Moved by this, and other providential rescues from peril, he bestowed all his savings on an alms-house, which he had the happiness to see supported with great spirit and benevolence by the parishioners of St. James’s.

There are Widows’-houses in the following places:- in Great Britain and Denmark streets (commonly called “Fortick’s alms-houses”), both which supply the use of apartments and two guineas per annum to the aged in-mates. In Dorset-street there is an alms-house founded by the Latouches, in which the residents are allowed 2s. 6d. per week, together with the use of comfortable apartments. There are 13 alms-houses, attached to parishes: the first in importance is an asylum for clergymen’s widows, in Mercer-street, which gives excellent lodgings, with a gratuity of 10l. per annum, to six poor ladies who have been accustomed to a more respectable situation in life: this was founded by Lady Anne Hume, upon the model of an extensive asylum for the same purpose in Waterford. The Presbyterians support an alms-house in Cork-street; the Independents in Plunket-street ; the Moravians in White-Friars-street; and the Roman Catholics, one in Clarke’s-court, Great Ship-street; another in Archibald’s-court, Cook-street; and a third in Liffey-street.

On Summer-hill is an Asylum for aged and infirm Female Servants; who are admitted upon producing certificates of good behaviour during service.

Mrs. Blachford opened an asylum in Baggot-street, called “The House of Refuge;” where none but young women, of unquestionable character, are admitted, who arc employed in plain-work and washing, until they are provided with eligible places. Mrs. H. Tighe, the author of Psyche, bestowed the purchase-money given for that very beautiful poem upon this excellent institution, which was founded by her mother.

There is another house of Refuge, in Stanhope-street, Grange Gorman, for similar purposes, where between 20 and 40 females have shelter and protection while seeking for employment.

In Russel-place, on the North Circular-road, is an Asylum for Old Men; where none are admitted under 60 years of age, nor of any religion but the established church.

To Chapter 15. Wright Index. Home.