SERIES PCOM 3
INFORMATION ON SERIES OF DOCUMENTS
Series
PCOM 3
Title
Home Office and Prison Commission: Male Licences
1853-1887
Structure
Size/Scope
Notes of licences to male convicts to be at large, and notes of revocation of such
licences, under the Penal Servitude Acts 1853 and 1864 endorsed on old
captions and in some cases, transfer papers.
770 boxes comprising 45,525 named individuals and approximately 764,000
images.
First 60 pieces are described at item level on The Catalogue.
Examples of content:
PCOM 3/1 Home Office and Prison Commission: Male Licences October–
November 1853. License Numbers 1 -100, arranged by licence number giving
details: Name and aliases, Age, Married or Single & number of children, Read or
Write, Trade or Occupation, Crime, Sentence, Date & Place of Conviction, Date
& Place of Committal, Places and periods of Confinement since last conviction,
Character, Residence of family or next of kin, Previous convictions, Religion,
Health, Physical description of convict. Signed and dated by governor of prison.
Unbound pages, attached at one corner. 4 single pages per licensed convict.
Approx. 400 single pages/images.
PCOM 3/150 Home Office and Prison Commission: Male Licences September
1864. Licence Numbers 15276-15350, arranged with descriptive details as
above. Also included are Abstracts of Entries in Misconduct book. 10 single
pages per licensed convict. Approx. 750 single pages.
PCOM 3/220 Home Office and Prison Commission: Male Licences
Licence Numbers 19,726-19,800, arranged with descriptive details as above.
Also included are Abstracts of Entries in Misconduct book, Order of Licence to a
Convict, dates of transfer showing good conduct/character/progress at school
and weekly records of Marks and Gratuities whilst imprisoned. 20 single pages
per licensed convict. Approx. 1500 single pages.
PCOM 3/327 Home Office and Prison Commission: Male Licences August 1872.
Licence Numbers 25,086-25,130, arranged as above with all descriptive details
and pages detailed above, also including medical history records whilst
imprisoned. 22 single pages per licensed convict. Approx. 1000 single pages.
PCOM 3/506 Home Office and Prison Commission: Male Licences 1879
Licence Numbers 34,102-34,148, arranged with all descriptive details as above.
Also includes official regimental court martial papers for those convicted whilst
serving with military. 20 single pages per licensed convict. Approx. 1200 single
pages.
PCOM 3/680 Home Office and Prison Commission: Male Licences 1884
Licence Numbers 41,980-42,025, arranged with all descriptive details as above.
Whilst The National Archives endeavours to ensure that the information is correct, in no event shall The National Archives be
responsible for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of access to or reliance on or use of any information. This document is
intended to provide guidance only and it is recommended that personal research of the records be undertaken
SERIES PCOM 3
Series
PCOM 3
Approx. 30 single pages per licensed convict. Approx. 1350 single pages/images
PCOM 3/751 Home Office and Prison Commission: Male Licences 1886
Licence Numbers 44,736-44,784, arranged with all descriptive details as above.
Approx. 30 single pages per licensed convict. Approx. 1500 single pages/images
Physical Format
and Condition
Loose files with some sewn as pamphlets – 330mm x 215mm. Generally decent
condition but some preparation of documents will be required prior to scanning.
Some documents are pinned.
Popularity
Between 1st January 2009 and 31 December 2009 this series of records was
requested in the reading rooms at The National Archives some 201 times. In a
package with other related material it is expected to be of greater interest to the
public. Popularity would also be greatly increased by improved ease of access.
Research Guide
Possible areas
for indexing
Any other
relevant
information
Tracing 19th and 20th Century Criminals
Sources for Convicts and Prisoners
Name, Age, Trade or Occupation, Date and Place of Conviction
These records continue in MEPO 6
Whilst The National Archives endeavours to ensure that the information is correct, in no event shall The National Archives be
responsible for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of access to or reliance on or use of any information. This document is
intended to provide guidance only and it is recommended that personal research of the records be undertaken