BODMIN JAIL: Prison is more than a sentence

NEW FOR 2020 THE PAST COMES BACK TO LIFE AT BODMIN JAIL

One of Cornwall’s most historic sites, Bodmin Jail, is now back open AND featuring a brand-new Dark Walk experience (tickets can be booked in advance online). The unveiling marks the biggest attraction opening for 2020 in the South West and follows an £8.5 million re-development to offer an aweinspiring experience that will wow visitors and keep them talking for a long time afterwards.

Using state-of-the-art technology and the latest theatrical effects, the Dark Walk - a major addition to the attraction and the first of its kind in the region – will treat visitors to a truly immersive and interactive discovery of Cornwall’s most haunting histories. Stories of Cornwall’s murky past will be retold, and visitors will be transported to life within the walls of the 18th century prison where they will learn the gritty reality of smuggling, mining and the everyday hardships of the jail’s most infamous prisoners.

The experience also offers the chance to be immersed in the courtroom scene of three real-life prisoners and visitors can walk in the footsteps of wardens and inmates along the original jail corridors and go behind bars for a taste of life in the grimy cells. If that was not chilling enough, Bodmin Jail is also home to the only working execution pit in the country and delves into the myth of the terrifying Bodmin Beast.

For maximum enjoyment and experience, self-guided tours of the attraction are available in timed entry slots at regular intervals throughout the day, seven days a week. To really get under the skin of the historic attraction, in-depth guided tours are also on offer with heritage and paranormal options, as well an all-night After Dark experience. To enable social distancing and visitor comfort the attraction will reopen with reduced capacity. Tickets prices start at £15 per person. To find out more and book tickets, visit

www.bodminjail.org

“Built in 1779 for King George III, Bodmin Jail has played an important role in Cornwall’s history and this bold redevelopment brings it to life with an irresistible balance of intrigue, surprise, and hands-on learning.”

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BODMIN JAIL:

Bodmin Jail on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall was originally built during the reign of King George III in 1779 as part of the Prison Reform, built by military engineer Sir John Call. Building works started in the early 1770s with construction carried out by Napoleonic prisoners of war using 20,000 tonnes of granite quarried from Bodmin Moor. The resulting building was a milestone in prison design, based on the plans and ideals of the prison reformer John Howard. It was one of the first modern prisons in the UK with individual cells, segregated male and female areas, hot water and light and airy areas for prisoners to live and work. In addition, prisoners were paid for their work from products sold by the governor.

Prisoner numbers at Bodmin Jail were relatively low for the first two decades, but this all changed at the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815. By 1820, all the cells were filled with multiple occupants, and this overcrowding caused the jail to be extended several times, with new buildings added up to 1850. Changes were needed due to several Acts of Parliament stating total segregation of remand prisoners, convicted prisoners, felons, misdemeanants, debtors, vagrants and, of course, men from women. This resulted in over 20 different classes of prisoners, each needing to be housed in separate sleeping areas and workshops. As the needs and interests of society changed, the prison’s inmate population shifted over the years. It was used largely as a debtor’s prison for many years, but this all changed in 1869, when imprisonment for debt was abolished. From 1887 parts of the jail were used by the Royal Navy, whose occupation lasted until 1922.

The female prison was closed in 1911 with remaining inmates being transferred to Plymouth. The numbers of prisoners declined dramatically with the outbreak of the war, and the last male prisoner left Bodmin Jail in July 1916. The Jail was finally closed and officially decommissioned in 1927, and 1929 saw its sale to the demolition men.

As with most old prisons, Bodmin Jail has a dark history. 55 executions took place within its formidable walls, for crimes such as rape, murder and stealing. Eight of these were women. Most of these executions were viewed by the public, and thousands would travel specially to witness the hangings. The first two inmates taken to the gallows were William Lee and John Vanstone, both convicted of burglary. The last person to be hanged at the Jail was William Hampton, who in July 1909 paid the ultimate price for taking the life of his 17-year-old girlfriend after an argument; indeed, he was also the last man to be hanged in Cornwall.

The Ghosts of Bodmin Jail

Between 1785 and 1909 fifty-five people were executed at Bodmin Jail, with all but four of the hangings availed to be viewed by the public. This was “public entertainment” back in the day as thousands of spectators would congregate in adjoining fields to witness some poor wretches take their plunge into eternity. There really is no surprise that Bodmin Jail has a reputation for being very haunted. Amongst those executed at Bodmin Jail was Matthew Weeks, a cripple who was arrested for the murder of his lover Charlotte Dymond, her body was found on Bodmin Moor on Sunday April 14th, 1844. Found guilty of the crime he was hanged at the goal in August 1844 and 20,000 people turned out to witness his final moments. Imagine that 20,000 people!!

Charlotte’s ghost, a woman in a gown and silk bonnet is still said to appear at the site of her murder on the anniversary of her death. With so many apparitions being seen at Bodmin Jail, there is a story for almost all of them which is not surprising when you understand the brutality and death toll of this sombre and hopeless building.

The ghost of Selina Wadge, arrested for the murder of her son, is said to haunt the upper levels of the jail. She is described as wearing a long dress and crying, often reaching out to people.

James and William Lightfoot were arrested, convicted, and publicly hanged at Bodmin jail for the robbery and murder of Neville Norway. Their troubled sprits are said to be prominent and dark-natured.

Anne Jefferies was accused of being a witch. She denied this, and as punishment was left to starve to death and is another ghost said to haunt the jail.

Matthew Weeks was executed at the jail in 1844 for the alleged murder of Charlotte Dymond and is said to ramble aimlessly throughout the corridors, having been hanged outside the walls. Many believe he was innocent and so having been falsely executed for a crime, his soul is unable to find peace. George, the warden ghost of Bodmin jail, is said to regularly make himself known, manifesting himself in cells and on the stairs. He suddenly died from a heart attack whilst on duty at the prison and he now oversees what he considers to be his jail.

The spirit of a homosexual Naval Officer who used to abuse the inmates is said to be present in one cell. This angry spirit apparently pushes women away and tries to drag men back into a cell with him.

Strange sounds have often been heard including tapping, keys rattling, a foghorn, voices, whistling, footsteps, banging, breathing, laughter, humming, shuffling and much of this has been captured on EVP recordings.

People also regularly experience feelings of nausea, headaches, dizziness, feeling faint, shortness of breath, their energy drained, mentally exhausted, feeling pain, dread and misery, wanting to cry, being claustrophobic, being watched, strange atmospheres, sudden temperature changes, feelings of being touched or manhandled, clothes being tugged, feelings of being followed and there are lots of visitors who have to leave.

Other peculiar phenomena include poltergeist activity such as stones being thrown or coins apporting out of nowhere. Photographs of light anomalies, misty figures and black shadows are common and there is an abundance of electrical faults and battery drainage with equipment.

And let us not forget that this is where Derek Acorah, God rest his soul was embroiled in the “Kreed Kafer” incident during filming for Most Haunted. However, there is said to be an amazing amount of other reported genuine paranormal activity, which should come as no surprise at a location with such a history. Reported incidents and activity range from fullon apparitions, EVPs, noises, smells, poltergeist activity and a whole range of occurrences.