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CRIMINAL: Imprisonment of eight suffragettes in Winson Green Prison in Birmingham...

Catalogue reference: HO 45/10418/183577

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This record is about the CRIMINAL: Imprisonment of eight suffragettes in Winson Green Prison in Birmingham... dating from 1909 in the series Home Office: Registered Papers. It is held at The National Archives, Kew.

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Full description and record details

Reference

HO 45/10418/183577

Date

1909

Description

CRIMINAL: Imprisonment of eight suffragettes in Winson Green Prison in Birmingham following violent protests and incidents linked to a visit by the Prime Minister, Herbert Henry Asquith, to Birmingham on 17 September 1909. Those imprisoned, with sentences ranging from one to three months, were:

  • Patricia Woodlock.
  • Ellen Barwell.
  • Hilda Evelyn Burkett.
  • Leslie Hall.
  • Mabel Capper.
  • Mary Edwards.
  • Mary Leigh.
  • Charlotte Marsh.

The file contains a number of medical reports on the health of the prisoners, several of whom went on hunger strike and were forcibly fed. It also contains medical opinions on force-feeding and letters from the prisoners' relatives enquiring about their welfare. A recommendation for the release of Mary Leigh on health grounds was approved and took place on 30 October 1909. There are also details of Charlotte Marsh's early release on 9 December 1909 on account of her father's illness, and of attempts by solicitors representing Mary Leigh to take legal action against the Home Secretary. The file records the official appreciation of the Home Secretary to the Governor and prison staff for their handling of the prisoners.

Related material

Earlier papers from this file can be found in: HO 45/10417/183577

See also: HO 144/599/184276

Held by
The National Archives, Kew
Former department reference

183577

Legal status

Public Record(s)

Closure status

Open Document, Open Description

Subjects
Topics
Votes for women
Medicine
Prisons
Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/C4746648/

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Series information

HO 45

Home Office: Registered Papers

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This record is held at The National Archives, Kew

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Within the department: HO

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Within the series: HO 45

Home Office: Registered Papers

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CRIMINAL: Imprisonment of eight suffragettes in Winson Green Prison in Birmingham...

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