Summary : Ipswich Borough Gaol stood on the north side of Rope Walk and was built originally as a county house of correction. In 1802 it was purchased by the borough authorities and converted into a gaol at a cost of #2891 16s 6d. It had a central, three storey building which contained the keeper's house, infirmaries and chapel, and two attached two storey wings which had six cells on each floor. The gatehouse was flanked by two storey, single-sided wings. In 1877, on the eve of the nationalisation of the prison system, Colonel A. B. McHardy visited 50 prisons, including Ipswich, and reported on their accommodation. He noted an intention to amalgamate the Borough Gaol with the adjacent County Gaol. This seems to have been achieved in 1878. In 1882 the former Borough Gaol became the house for the governor of the combined prison, although by the time the prison closed it was then used as officer's quarters. The prison closed in July 1925. It was demolished in 1931. |