I. L.  
 blazon of the City of London  
❧ By the Mayor.  
A Proclamation for Reformation of abuses, in the jail of Newgate.  
WHereas of late, notorious Mutinies and Outrages have been committed by the Prisoners within the jail of Newgate, which is conceived to grow through the negligence of the Keepers, suffering their Prisoners to become drunk and disordered, permitting them wine, Tobacco, excessive strong drink, gaming, and resort of Women of lewd behaviour. By reason of which liberty, dissolute and lewd persons, who commit Thefts and Robberies, take a kind of comfort, and gather heart in the said jail, and are in some sort incited to commit Felonies, upon hope of the lewd Company, and such lewd Comforts as they find in the said jail. For Reformation whereof, and to prevent aswell all manner Oppression in the Gaolers, and licentiousness of Prisoners: and to the end henceforth to take away all manner of hope in such as shall be thither sent for offences, that they shall not find such lewd and shameful comforts as they have heretofore there found, and to the end, to contain the Prisoners within a discipline, that Mutinies and Insolences may be prevented.  
1. First, It is thought fit, ordered, and Commanded by the Lord Maior and Court of Aldermen, That the Master of the same jail, be attendant himself upon the said jail, and that the same be not Farmed out, directly, nor by any manner cunning or indirect mean whatsoever.  
2 Secondly, That the Gaoler, Keepers, Servants, or under Officers, shall not permit or suffer any Beer or Ale to be received or brought into the said jail or Prison, but only of the price of eight shillings the barrel, or of four shillings the barrel, nor suffer the dissolute sort of Prisoners in the Common jail, to have any wine at all to be brought unto them.  
3 Thirdly, that there be a full Ale-quart of eight shillings Beer or Ale sold for a penny, and so delivered to the Prisoners, and according to that rate, pint or half pint: and the like measure of four shillings Beer or Ale for a half penny: and that the Prisoners have Bread and all other Victuals according to the assize, and at usual and common prizes, and that there be no oppression or exaction for their beds or lodging.  
4 Fourthly, that the Gaoler, Keepers, Servants, or under Officers in the said jail, shall not suffer the taking of Tobacco by the dissolute sort of prisoners in the common jail: and to that end shall search and view all whatsoever that shall be brought into the said prison for the use of any prisoner there, that no Tobacco nor Tobacco-pipes, Candles, or other things to fire their Tobacco be brought to them.  
5 Fiftly, That the said Gaolers, keepers, servants, or under Officers, do take such care, and use such diligence, that the men prisoners and women prisoners be kept asunder, and not suffered to come together in any part of the said prison, except it be at the time of divine Service, receiving of the Sacrament, or hearing of Sermons.  
6 Sixtly, that the said Gaoler, keepers, servants, or under Officers, shall not take any fee of any Prisoner committed for Felony, or suspicion of Felony, nor of any person that shall have occasion to come or resort to them or to any of them, to bring them meat, drink, or other needful provisions, for, or in respect only of turning of the key, or opening the door for such person bringing such provision to any prisoner.  
7 Seventhly, That the said Gaoler, keepers, Servants, or under Officers, shall not suffer any woman to be with any man … prisoner alone in the prison, but only the Wife, Mother, Sister, or near kinswoman of such prisoner, and so known to the keeper before she be admitted.  
8 Eightly, that the said gaoler, keepers, servants, or under Officers, shall take no Fees for, or in respect of release or ease of Irons, but such as at his peril he may lawfully justify and avow.  
9 Ninthly, that if any Prisoner's mutiny, or be insolent, or shall hearten or give evil example to others, in stirring other prisoners in word or deed to mutiny, that then such prisoner so offending, be loaden with more Irons, and that he be put into the Dungeon, or otherwise chastised in the discretion of the Master keeper, so as the same chastisement tend not to the loss of use or limb.  
10 Tenthly, for avoiding quarrels in the jail, that no prisoner be permitted to play in the said jail, at Cards, Dice, or any other game whatsoever.  
11 eleventhly, Whereas there hath been heretofore used a drunken manner of Garnish in Wine or other strong drink, by all such prisoners as go to the masters side at their first commitment to Newgate: It is ordered and thought fit that the same usage be utterly put down and disallowed, and to be henceforth no more used.  
12 Lastly, That the gaoler nor any of the under-keepers do take above twelve pence for any one times attendance with any Prisoner, when the same Prisoner is by Commandment of any justice of Peace to be brought before him.  
The Gaoler offending in any of the Premises, shall for the first offence forfeit and pay twenty pounds, and for the second offence forty pounds, and for the third offence to lose his place, and to be for ever disabled to keep that jail or any other jail, within the City of London, and the Liberties thereof.  
Dated at the Guildhall, the twenty-three. day of September, in the year of our Lord God, 1617. 
 ❧ God save the King. ❧   

Printed by William jaggard, Printer to the Honourable City of London. 1617.