By the Maior. A proclamation for the reformation of abuses, in the Gaole of Nevv-gate:

I. L.

[illustration] blazon of the City of London

❧ By the Maior.

A Proclamation for Reformation of abuses, in the Gaole of New-gate.

WHereas of late, notorious Mutinies and Out-rages haue bin committed by the Prisoners within the Gaole of Newgate, which is conceyued to grow through the negligence of the Keepers, suffering their Prisoners to become drunke and disordered, permitting them wine, Tobacco, excessiue strong drinke, gaming, and resort of Women of lewd behauiour. By reason of which libertie, dissolute and lewd personnes, who commit Thefts and Robberies, take a kind of comfort, and ga∣ther heart in the saide Gaole, and are in some sort inci∣ted to commit Fellonies, vpon hope of the lewd Com∣pany, and such lewd Comforts as they finde in the said Gaole. For Reformation whereof, and to preuent aswell all manner Oppression in the Gaolers, and li∣centiousnesse of Prisoners: and to the end henceforth to take away all manner of hope in such as shall be thither sent for offences, that they shall not finde such lewd and shamefull comforts as they haue heeretofore there found, and to the end, to containe the Prisoners within a discipline, that Mutinies and Insolencies may bee pre∣uented.

1. First, It is thought fit, ordered, and Commanded by the Lord Maior and Court of Aldermen, That the Master of the same Gaole, bee attendant himselfe vpon the said Gaole, and that the same be not Farmed out, directly, nor by any manner cunning or indirect meane whatsoeuer.

2 Secondly, That the Gaoler, Keepers, Seruants, or vnder Officers, shall not permit or suffer any Beere or Ale to bee receiued or brought into the saide Gaole or Prison, but onely of the price of eight shillings the barrell, or of foure shillings the barrell, nor suffer the disso∣lute sort of Prisoners in the Common gaole, to haue any wine at all to be brought vnto them.

3 Thirdly, that there be a full Ale-quart of eight shillings Beere or Ale solde for a peny, and so deliuered to the Prisoners, and according to that rate, pint or halfe pint: and the like measure of foure shillings Beere or Ale for a halfe peny: and that the Prisoners haue Bread and all other Victuals according to the assize, and at vsuall and common prizes, and that there be no oppression or exaction for their beds or lodging.

4 Fourthly, that the Gaoler, Keepers, Seruants, or vnder Officers in the saide gaole, shall not suffer the taking of Tobacco by the dissolute sort of prisoners in the common gaole: and to that end shall search and view all whatsoeuer that shall be brought into the said prison for the vse of any prisoner there, that no Tobacco nor Tobacco-pipes, Candles, or other things to fire their Tobacco be brought to them.

5 Fiftly, That the saide Gaolers, keepers, seruants, or vnder Officers, do take such care, and vse such diligence, that the men prisoners and women prisoners bee kept asunder, and not suffered to come together in anie part of the saide prison, except it be at the time of diuine Ser∣uice, receiuing of the Sacrament, or hearing of Sermons.

6 Sixtly, that the said Gaoler, keepers, seruants, or vnder Officers, shall not take any fee of any Prisoner committed for Fellony, or suspition of Fellony, nor of any person that shall haue occasion to come or resort to them or to any of them, to bring them meate, drink, or other needfull prouisions, for, or in respect onely of turning of the key, or opening the doore for such person bringing such prouision to any prisoner.

7 Seuenthly, That the saide Gaoler, keepers, Seruants, or vnder Officers, shal not suf∣fer any woman to be with any man…… prisoner alone in the prison, but onely the Wife, Mo∣ther, Sister, or neere kinswoman of such prisoner, and so knowne to the keeper before she bee admitted.

8 Eightly, that the saide gaoler, keepers, seruants, or vnder Officers, shall take no Fees for, or in respect of release or ease of Irons, but such as at his perill hee may lawfully iustifye and auow.

9 Ninthly, that if any Prisoners mutiny, or bee insolent, or shall harten or giue euill ex∣ample to others, in stirring other prisoners in word or deede to mutiny, that then such priso∣ner so offending, be loaden with more Irons, and that he be put into the Dungeon, or other∣wise chastized in the discretion of the Master keeper, so as the same chasticement tend not to the losse of use or limbe.

10 Tenthly, for auoyding quarrelles in the gaole, that no prisoner bee permitted to play in the saide gaole, at Cards, Dice, or any other game whatsoeuer.

11 Eleuenthly, Whereas there hath beene heeretofore vsed a drunken manner of Garnish in Wine or other strong drinke, by all such prisoners as go to the Maisters side at theyr first commitment to Newgate: It is ordered and thought fit that the same vsage bee vtterly put downe and disallowed, and to be henceforth no more vsed.

12 Lastly, That the gaoler nor any of the vnder-keepers do take aboue twelue pence for any one times attendance with any Prisoner, when the same Prisoner is by Commandement of any Iustice of Peace to bee brought before him.

The Gaoler offending in any of the Premisses, shall for the first offence forfeyte and pay twenty pounds, and for the second offence forty poundes, and for the third offence to lose his place, and to bee for euer disabled to keepe that gaole or any other gaole, within the Citie of London, and the Liberties thereof.

Dated at the Guildhall, the xxiij. day of September, in the yeere of our Lord God, 1617.

❧ God saue the King. ❧