Regency gaols

Posted by Cheryl on March 27, 1998 at 14:50:24:

I'm reading the Tomalin biography in the Library, and have reached the Aunt Jane Leigh-Perrot being arrested for shoplifting section. I have some questions about the prison she was in. It didn't sound like my image of a prison; her husband can stay with her? She can have live-in company (Mrs. Austen volunteering her daughters for company! Gee, thanks Mom.) A family with children as the jailers?

I've read some posts here and at the Library, but I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around it. Was this gaol like a large house or more of an institution? Did they have the run of the building as long as they didn't leave the premises? Did the criminals (perhaps only on the "gentleman's side"?) pay their own expenses or just those of anyone they had living with them? If Jane or Cassandra did stay with Aunt Jane, would they have quarters of their own as long as they paid for them?

I guess I'm too rooted in the 20th century to comprehend it all, but if you have anything that will help me, I'd appreciate it. ;-)

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REPLIES:

• Semi-connected ElaineL 20:49:13 3/27/98 (7)
  • testifying in behalf of yourself. P. Bingham 15:46:46 3/28/98 (4)
    • Defendants testifying Linden 20:38:31 3/28/98 (3)
      • Relax, Linden! Mrs. Leigh-Perrot DID speak! Laura W 23:19:41 4/22/98 (0)
      • That is very irritating isn't it? P. Bingham 20:51:58 3/28/98 (1)
        • off the subject just a wee bit... The Elgin adultery trial P. Bingham 13:16:35 3/30/98 (0)
  • "Femme couvert"? - someone help me out here! Carolyn B 06:36:35 3/28/98 (1)
    • Some legal verbiage... The Mysterious H.C. 12:11:37 3/28/98 (0)
• Mrs. Leigh Perrot in the goal. P. Bingham 17:41:02 3/27/98 (2)
  • Thanks! Cheryl 22:57:53 3/27/98 (1)
    • why? P. Bingham 23:52:05 3/27/98 (0)

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