Liverpools Old Main entrance of Bridewell Prison, 1859, closed 1999, now student flats, Cheapside, Liverpool , Merseyside, England, UK, L2 2DH
The main Bridewell was the central lock-up for the city of Liverpool. It opened in 1864 as part of a complex which included the police courts, the police headquarters, and the central fire station. It was designed by Liverpool corporations architect Mr Weightman. The complex was the first of a kind in the UK and believed was often taken on board by other forces across the country. Now a hotel and student accommodation. Note - that in Liverpool all police stations with cells were called 'bridewells'. The Main Bridewell 'was classified as a prison with its own Governor who was a Police Chief Inspector' (City of Liverpool Police). 'The Main Bridewell was in Cheapside in Liverpool and the building is still standing although it is in the process of being re-developed. It was first opened in 1867 having been built in the Victorian tradition of striking fear into anyone who had the misfortune to have to spend some time there under lock and key. It had approximately 60 cells with each having a heavy wood door and each cell measuring 7ft x 7ft in total accommodation size. The toilet was positioned at the end of the wooden bench where a prisoner would have to sleep and the floors were made of stone. The reception area of “the main” ( as it was referred to by Police Officers) had a huge heavy door that was attended to by a Constable/ jailer. Once inside the premises, a prisoner would be presented to the Bridewell Sergeant or Inspector and the circumstances of the arrest would be explained by the arresting officer. Prisoners then had to remove articles of value and items such as belts, laces, braces etc for safe keeping and to prevent the prisoners causing harm to themselves. They would then be searched and detained in a cell. Prisoners that were detained at other Bridewells throughout the greater Liverpool area who would be appearing at the Liverpool Magistrates Court the following morning would be transferred during the early hours of each day to the Main Bridewell
Size: 5472px × 3648px
Location: Cheapside, Liverpool , Merseyside, England, UK, L2 2DH
Photo credit: © Tony Smith / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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