House of Correction

In 1610 a ‘House of Correction’ was built at 59 The High Street Cliffe. Houses of correction started out after the passing of the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601.The aim of these institutions was to punish and train petty criminals so that they became useful members of society. Houses of correction were also known as ‘Bridewell’ after the first house set up in the Palace of Bridewell in London.

The system was soon to collapse due to corrupt and immoral practices inflicted on the poorest miscreants of the country. Especially where it was primarily used to get prostitutes, beggars and lunatics off the streets. In 1776 the prison reformer John Howard visited Lewes as part of his survey to rid the system of corruption. The result of his visit was the building of a new House of Correction in 1793 in North Street Lewes.

This in turn became unfit for purpose in the first half of the 19 century due to the ever increasing population and increased crime and poverty following the end of the Napoleonic War

New Gaol and House of Correction

The treadmill

In 1853 the prison moved to a larger purpose build Gaol where it is situated to this day. By 1845 the distinction between Gaol and House of Correction had been abolished so petty and major felons along with debtors and those awaiting execution where held under ‘one’ roof. The old House of Correction in North Street was sold to the Admiralty and used as a naval prison. During the Crimean War (1854-56) Finnish Prisoners of war (who fought for the Czar) where held at the Naval Prison It closed as a prison in 1910 and used for other military purposes until it was demolished in 1963.

With the discontinuation of transportation to the colonies and the demise of prison hulks (ships moored in rivers to act as gaols) there was a necessity for more prison buildings. (Just as we find Lewes being extended to accommodate the increased prison load today).