Genealogy Chat

is it possible to view prison records from the late 1980s and early 1990s if so where can i look please

many thanx

Generally there is a 100 year embargo on personal records. You could try the UK National Archives and see if they have such records and whether they would release them.

thanx robert i thought that was the case but wasnt sure

I had to write to the Home Office to request if it was possible to see a deaceased close relative's prison records from 1950s to 1980. Unfortunately the answer was no.

thanx for ur reply tracey

I also wrote to the HM Prison Service where the HM Home Office replyed to say that even if the person I was looking for had any records, they wouldn't tell me due to Data Protection Laws.

Bit annoying!

Kathryn

I am trying to find records for a relation from 1891, I know he was in Armley prison Leeds, but not what for or for how long, I have trawled through the national archives and found nothing, has anyone any idea what I should do next?

Elaine Margaret,

West Yorkshire Archives would be your first stop:

Prison Records

Wakefield Headquarters holds the archives of HMP Wakefield (the West Riding House of Correction), HMP Leeds (Armley Gaol) and HMP New Hall. The series of prisoner records are not complete in all cases, and all prisoner registers are closed to the public for 30 years. If you have a specific enquiry relating to prison records, please contact us for further advice. Even if we cannot find a record for your ancestor as a prisoner, we may be able to use court records to trace the trial.

http://www.archives.wyjs.org.uk/index.asp?pg=ablocw.html

Thanks Keith,the relative I,m looking for is a Walter Webster and he was on the 1891 census as being in Armley and I know he died in1893, I just wanted to find out what he was convicted of, and how long his sentence was,
Thanks again.

Hi,

I recently got prison records for an inmate in 1921, so they do give them sometimes.

Al