Still a crown court, the majority of the castle is now open . 2 Is Lancaster Castle still a court? This course takes an innovative approach to exploring history, focusing on Lancaster Castle as a microcosm of broader trends. Lancaster Castle provides a unique snapshot of the history of the judiciary and prison reform in the UK. Lancaster castle hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy Thomas Holden sentenced to 7 years Transportation to Australia for 'Administering An Illegal Oath' to Isaac Crompton. He also made it clear that although James Ashcroft snr had never been inside the Littlewoods home he would, if found guilty, be just as culpable as the men who had actually committed the crime, and therefore as subject to the death penalty as they were. One witness, Adam Halwell, had taken William Collins to gaol after his arrest and happened to see him on the day he was released. Six years later much of the pomp had been lost - the High Sheriff arrived by train. Four prisoners were allocated to every three spaces on the wheel, thereby allowing one to rest for five minutes while the rest of the team continued to turn the wheel. Guided tours of the Castle include visits to its 18th century cells, Pentonville-style male penitentiary, dedicated debtors' prison area and female penitentiary based on Bentham's famous panopticon design. (Image: Manchester Evening News) The castle also served as a prison from the 17th century, housing prisoners up to the year 2011. Debtors could have beer, wine and tobacco but not spirits. Are there prisoners at Lancaster Castle? When new gaoler John Higgin started in 1785 he received an annual salary of 200 guineas , in compensation for being no longer allowed to collect fees from debtors (as part of John Howards reforms). Lancaster was once again designated for use as a prison from 1954 onwards when the council leased the castle to the Home Office. They enjoyed considerably more freedom than the felons, being able to use the courtyard in good weather or stay in their rooms if they so chose. Lancaster's use of the treadwheels was almost unique as most prisons did not harness the energy in any useful way. On Monday August 21st 1826 two brothers, Alexander and Michael McKean went to the gallows in Lancaster for the murder of Elizabeth Bate. On March 25th 1865 Stephen Burke was hanged for the murder of his wife, this was the last public execution at the Castle. Guided tours of the Castle include visits to its 18th century cells, Pentonville-style male penitentiary, dedicated debtors prison area and female penitentiary based on Benthams famous panopticon design. Faraday was able to avoid the attack, and with help from one of the men was able to finally subdue Michael as well, but not before Michael had bitten him in the hand and fought and kicked like a maniac in his efforts to escape. This consists of a metal holdfast designed to immobilise the wrist and fingers, whilst a red-hot branding iron embossed with the letter M was applied to the brawn of the thumb. The layout of the town was influenced by the Roman fort and the associated civilian settlement; the main road through the town was the route that led east from the fort. Its latest incarnation was as HMP Lancaster, a Category C prison which was operational on this site right up until March 2011.