Borough Compter

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The Borough Compter was a small compter or debtor's prison located in Mill Lane, Bermondsey, London from the mid-16th century until 1855. It took its name from 'The Borough', a historic name for the Southwark area of London on the south side of the River Thames from the City of London. Built on the former site of a church (St Margaret's, demolished in the mid 16th century), it was under the jurisdiction of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of the City, and the High-Bailiff of Southwark.

The first Compter burned down in a fire in 1676 and was rebuilt around seven years later. The site is located close to present-day St Margaret's Court and Counter Court, off Borough High Street.

As well as debtors, the Compter also held persons committed for trial for felonies and misdemeanors, and others tried and sentenced to imprisonment, but not to hard labour.

Borough Compter was one of the prisons visited and described by prison reformer John Howard who described it as in a deplorable condition: "out of repair and ruinous, without an infirmary and even without bedding; while most of the inmates were poor creatures from the 'Court of Conscience,' who lay there till their debts were paid."^[1] Defects in the discipline and management of this prison were strongly criticised by a Committee of the House of Commons in 1829.^[2] It finally closed in 1855.

[edit] References

1. ^ From: 'Bermondsey: Tooley Street', Old and New London: Volume 6 (1878), pp. 100-17. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=45269. Date accessed: 01 February 2007.
2. ^ Old Towns of England, London in 1839: Part Six - Police and Prisons

[edit] See also

• Compter

Southwark