The
first King's Bench Prison in Borough High Street, Southwark, was demolished
in 1754. The rebuilt prison was mainly used for debtors or for people
been convicted of libel. On 10th May, 1768, the prison was the scene
of a riot after John Wilkes had been imprisoned
for writing an article for the The North
Briton, that severely criticised George
III. Five people were killed during the riot that afterwards became
known as the Massacre of St. George's Fields.
King's Bench was a much hated prison and had a reputation for being
filthy and overcrowded that often resulted in outbreaks of typhus
fever.
King's Bench Prison was a profit making institution until it came
under the control of the Home Office in 1877. Prisoners had to pay
the marshall and his gaolers for their keep. By paying a large sum
prisoners could serve their sentence within a three mile radius outside
the prison walls. Prisoners also had to pay a release fee at the end
of their sentence and if they could not afford it they had to remain
in prison.
Rudolf
Ackermann, King's Bench Prison, from Microcosm of London
(1808)
(1)
William Pyne, The
Microcosm of London (1808)
The
walls of this prison are very high, and all prospect, beyond them
is excluded, even to the uppermost windows. The building, which is
constructed of brick, is very extensive; and the marshall, who has
the keeping of the prison, has very handsome apartments on the outside.
Prisoners, such as are able to purchase their liberties, may have
the benefit of walking through a part of a borough and in St. George's
Fields.
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