Catalogue description Queen's Prison: Commitments to Strong Room

Entries in the books concern the punishment for a variety of offences of prisoners at the Queen's Prison. The offence is described by the reporting officer, and accompanied by the statements of witnesses, other gaolers or prisoners. The governor's decision is then recorded: either dismissal of the charge or, more often, a caution, or delivery to the strong room for a certain amount of time.

Offences which appear in the books include drunkenness, assault, threatening behaviour, verbal abuse, brawling, gambling, consorting with prostitutes, the smuggling of wives into the cells, slander and libel. Occasionally supporting evidence is attached to the entries, as in a libel case, and there are included a few letters from prisoners in the strong room.

The prisoner's commitment number can be used to trace records in other series.