Glamorgan County Gaol, Cardiff Plans

Glamorgan County Gaol, Cardiff, plans for alterations to Central Hall of Males Wing.

In 1814, the existing gaol situated in High Street was considered inadequate for coping with Cardiff's rapidly expanding population. Proposals were made to build a new county jail for Glamorgan, and lands were secured south of Crockherbtown.

Construction commenced in 1827, and the new Cardiff Prison opened at the end of 1832. The prison was capable of housing 80 inmates, including 20 debtors in three wings. This prison took over the county jail duties, but the gaol continued as the town jail.The prison was expanded after the Home Office took over responsibility for corrections in the Prison Act 1877, and the gaol finally closed.

Order at time of deposit retained.

Closed until HMP Cardiff is demolished.

Donated by the Ministry of Justice, January 2019.

A detailed catalogue is available

Fair condition

Compiled by Laura Cuningham for Glamorgan Archives, with reference to genuki.org.uk and capitalpunishmentuk.org

Normal Glamorgan Archives conditions apply.

All records which meet the collection policy of Glamorgan Archives have been retained.

Origin unknown but probably passed to the Home Office following the 1877 Act of Parliament transferring responsibility of prisons from local authorities to the HO. Passed to Prison Service Estates (now Ministry of Justice Estates) when the Prison Service became an agency in the early 1990s. Transferred by the Ministry of Justice at the time of sorting plans of closed prisons.

Accruals are not expected.