Liverpool Gaol Visit

The Australian, Sydney

8 July 1826

Liverpool grand jury presentment. The grand inquest of our Sovereign Lord the King, assembled for the town of Liverpool, and the adjacent districts, this 4th day of July, 1826, on their oath present, that in pursuance of their important duties, they visited his Majesty's Gaol, and were much gratified to find the good effect of their last presentation, as regarded the cleanliness and general improvement of that establishment and rely on the energy of the present executive, to carry into execution, the extension, and further security of the prison, as speedily as the public means will allow. They do not feel an inclination to harrass the Government, by presenting the existence of some other inconveniencies, under the conviction, that their several former recommendations will be attended to - as circumstances will admit. The grand inquest, however, feel it incumbent to present the immediate necessity of the erection of a watch-house, in the town, at some suitable site, as there is at present no place for the reception of nocturnal offenders, or prisoners, who, it frequently occurs, chance to be conveyed to this town at late hours of night. The grand inquest feel this of urgent consideration, as tending in a great degree to the suppression of crime, by affording facility to the police in detecting depredators, and offenders of every description. The grand inquest finally observe with satisfaction, the clean state of the hospital under the present Medical Officer, but disagree with one measure connected with that establishment, viz. that of placing a portion of the sick in a room, in the public school-house, immediately under that occupied by the children; and secondly; as connected with the children's health, from the infection that may be reasonably considered, to arise from the situation of the patients.

Signed, John Wood, Foreman; J. J. Moore; J. O. Hassall; E. Bunker; John Driummond; David Johnstone; Hamilton Hume; A. H. Hume; John P. Lloyd; G. M. Woodbouse; Jonathan Hassall; James Dunlop; John W. Fulton; James Chandler; James Busby.