The Debtors Prison (The Castle Museum), Tower Street

About The Debtors Prison (The Castle Museum), Tower Street

Imprisonment and punishment became the main function of York Castle in the 1700s when life in England was much harsher than today.

A new prison complex emerged on the site, including the Debtor’s Prison, where inmates were held until they could settle with their creditors.

The other building was the gaol, housing felons awaiting trial who after several months’ confinement could be sentenced to death or transported to first America and later Australia.

Divided into different floors, debtors were kept on the floor above and the felons in much worse conditions below.

Poorer prisoners slept in overcrowded cells on bare boards, wearing just rags and lived off bread and water.

Poor ventilation and a lack of windows led to outbreaks of sickness, causing deaths.

Records show that half of those people jailed were found not guilty at their trials and eventually set free.