The treatment of convicted criminals remains a controversial subject. What is the best way to reform law-breakers, for their own good and that of society? Some call for longer and more punitive sentences, both to keep criminals out of circulation, and as a deterrent. Others argue that prisoners need education and training, so that they leave prison better equipped and less likely to reoffend. And is there any scope in prison for healing broken spirits and helping prisoners repent of their former life? These are hard questions now, but they became particularly acute in the personal story of Rev Robert J W Wright (1803-1887), the founding chaplain of the new Winchester prison, and subject of a recently-published book by David Taylor.

Born into a Hampshire clergy family - his father (also Robert) was curate of Dummer when his son was born, and soon resident rector of Itchen Abbas and Ovington, as well as a busy magistrate - Robert was ordained in 1826 and became his father’s curate at Ovington. While the work of clergy in these rural parishes was mostly quiet and steady, a crisis came in the Swing riots of November 1830. Three hundred farm workers massed against the Duke of Chandos at nearby Avington House. Robert senior took the landowners’ side, while in the trial his son petitioned for mercy for some of the convicted rioters, without condoning the law-breaking. To increase workers’ attendance at Itchen Abbas church, he sought a grant for a gallery, built in 1834. He also secured funding for new schoolrooms in Itchen Abbas and Ovington. Education was the great hope, especially education in Christian principles and faith.

In October 1835, the post of chaplain at the county gaol in Jewry Street and bridewell (a prison for petty offenders) in Hyde, became vacant. Recently engaged to be married to Anna Maria Fell, and sensing a vocation to pastoral work, this appointment would give him accommodation and independence from his strong-minded father. Robert senior knew both gaols from his work as magistrate and gave his son a glowing reference. As an enthusiastic 32-year-old curate with a proven concern for the spiritual education of the poor, he had much to offer. He was duly elected at a meeting of the county magistrates on January 5 1836. So began his creditable 17 years as Winchester prison chaplain. This was therefore a pivotal year for Robert Wright, as he started his personally demanding new role and in May began his married life with the very supportive Anna Maria.

The running of gaols across the country was in process of being reformed and standardised by the state. One improvement was the decision to pay the gaoler (now styled governor), rather than have him rely on such things as selling beer to the inmates for income. While prisons were under the authority of a governor, the second most important officer was the chaplain. He had to interview each prisoner on entry to assess their moral and spiritual status and, on discharge, their prospects for life outside. He was required to complete a daily journal recording what he did each day and character reports on prisoners he interviewed, all scrutinised by the governor. Where these survive, they give a vivid insight into prison life. A good relationship between chaplain and governor was crucial for the smooth functioning of the institution, also for their own well-being.

When Robert Wright started as chaplain, he was working with the highly-respected governor, Joseph Beckett. The new chaplain soon organised a programme of religious instruction. It was for Wright to devise his own methods to instil Christian values in prisoners and encourage them to repent of their sins and lead a reformed life. They needed to worship regularly and learn to read the Bible and religious tracts, but how many could read? In June of his first year as chaplain, he counselled repentance and forgiveness to a convicted murderer, the unfortunately named John Deadman. The condemned man resisted the chaplain’s ministry, maintaining his innocence to the end. Wright noted despondently in his journal, ‘The Chaplain laments that his exertions were ineffectual to bring the unhappy Prisoner to a satisfactory state of mind.’ There were, of course, other interviews which bore better fruit.

In 1839, William Barber, keeper of the bridewell, became governor of the county gaol and his younger brother, Henry, replaced him at the bridewell. The latter was a somewhat abrasive disciplinarian and less easy to work with.

Concerned about the numbers of female prisoners, Wright enlisted the help of his wife to visit and offer religious instruction and reading tuition. This was stopped by the visiting magistrates, leaving Wright frustrated at an opportunity missed. There were signs that he was becoming anxious and in June 1838, he went off for a ‘change of air and rest’. In late 1840, he campaigned for a House of Refuge for Destitute and Penitent Criminals in Winchester, but this forward-looking proposal was not supported. He took rest leave in October 1843 and July 1847. Perhaps he was becoming despondent after 11 years immersed in this exhausting work.

From 1844, the magistrates had been considering building a new gaol to match the needs of a rising number of felons in Hampshire’s growing population. The plan agreed locally and with the government was to build on a new site on West Hill. The design was ‘radial’ with five wings, with capacity for 400 inmates. Apparently, Wright was not consulted about how it was to be run, which was decided to be the ‘separate system’, solitary confinement aimed at leading the offender to contrition for their crime. Prisoners could only speak to the governor or chaplain. The prison opened in October 1849, with Henry Barber as the inaugural governor.

Robert Wright’s journal entries record that he worked relentlessly three sessions a day. It was a punishing regime and his frustration was growing as he saw what the separate system was doing to prisoners’ mental health and how his efforts were being frustrated. He expressed his irritations in his journal, which the prickly governor took as implied criticism of his actions. Wright apologised, but their relationship was damaged. The various issues simmered until October 1853, when Wright made an outspoken attack on the Winchester prison regime as potentially injurious to mental health. Barber was also alleged by Wright to have used an instrument of torture while keeper of the bridewell, among other abuses. Unfortunately, these accusations were leaked to the press and Wright was suspended by the magistrates, taking the governor’s side. The chaplain broke under the pressure, issuing a grovelling apology for the ‘great injustice’ he had done to the governor. He resigned on November 12 1853, without a word of gratitude for his conscientious 17 years’ service.

Robert Wright fled Hampshire and in 1856 became the vicar of the large coal-mining parish of Selston in Nottinghamshire. Here he was much-loved and respected by his parishioners. He never returned to Hampshire and died in 1887, aged 84. 

David Taylor’s beautifully illustrated book, Forced to Resign and Exiled from Hampshire after 17 Years of Service, available from Laurence Oxley Bookshop, Alresford for £6, or from the author at wdtay1948@gmail.com, gives a full account of Revd Robert JW Wright’s life and ministry.

 

By Martin Coppen