Georgian

Timeline

Law and Order

Police

The Shades

The Compter

The Hole

Gaol

Greyfriars

County Gaol

Prison

Law and Order

Reading has had many lock ups and prisons since the Middle Ages. The Compter Gate of the Abbey, originally held prisoners. These were later held in the ruins of Greyfriars church. The Gaol in Castle Street also held prisoners. Eventually, both were closed and a new County Gaol opened in the Forbury. Finally the present prison was built and the County Gaol closed.