NRS-2001 | Copies of returns [Bathurst Gaol]

This series appears to comprise copies, kept in the gaol, of returns sent to the appropriate administrative office in Sydney (eg. Colonial Secretary, Comptroller General of Prisons). The format varies over time, but the returns normally consist of monthly lists of prisoners admitted, together with an annual list of all prisoners in the gaol on a certain date (usually Michaelmas Day, September 29). The 1836-37 returns give statistics only (under similar broad headings to those in the 1847 return (see below), together with comments on the general state of the gaol, and on prisoners' health and behaviour. The 1847 return appears to list all prisoners in the gaol as of January that year, as well as month by month lists of admissions. Prisoners are classified under the following headings: free or bond (came free, freed, ticket of leave, bond); born in the colony (white or black); home sentence; married or single; religious denomination (6 categories); age (under 18, 18-24, 24-45, 45 and over); charges (6 categories for major crimes, eg. murder, burglary, unnatural crime; 3 categories for minor crimes); number of times in gaol before (1, 2, 3 or more); education (read and write, read, neither); punishments in prison (whipping, irons, cells, other); date of punishment. There is a further breakdown by sex in each of the above categories. The 1872-81 monthly returns give similar information, with the omission of convict details and religious denomination, and with the addition of details on committals (whether under hard labour, confinement, awaiting trial, on remand, in transit, or a debtor). Totals are given at the bottom of each page of the number of prisoners in each category, together with monthly and annual cumulative totals. 1836-37, 1847, 1872-81 (4/8527). 1 vol. Note:This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.