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Furst lockup: One of the original buildings of Port Victoria (date: unknown) BC Archives (C-08973}

Governor Blanshard settled the administration
of justice during this period because, as he
explained, there were no colonial funds for this
purpose. Justice matters were mostly disputes
between the Hudson’s Bay Company or the
Puget Sound Agricultural Company and their
respective servants.’ Fines were usually given in
such cases. There were no prisons, peace
officers or funds except what was supplied by
the Hudson’s Bay Company. Consequently,
difficulties resulted with enforcement.

The first gaol or lockup*—the Hudson’s Bay
Company barracks—existed as early as 1852.

The Hudson’s Bay Company kept a record of
accounts for all gaol-related purchases in the
1850s to obtain reimbursement from the British
government.

The Hudson’s Bay Company began accounting
for rent for the gaol in the fiscal year beginning
November 1, 1853. The account book also
contained expenses incurred for the
administration of justice. Many services were
paid on a contract basis. For example,
constables were paid fees for flogging,”
summoning witnesses, transporting prisoners
and making arrests.

3 By 1853, there were only 450 white settlers on Vancouver Island.

4 The term lockup refers to facilities consisting of two or three cells found in almost every community by the turn
of the century. They were used to house prisoners awaiting trial prior to sentencing or transportation to a gaol
after sentencing. Gaols were larger, more secure facilities, staffed by designated gaolers. Sentenced prisoners
were housed in these facilities along with remand prisoners.

5 Corporal punishment has been used for centuries to enforce social discipline. This punishment applied to petty
criminals prior to the use of prisons. “After capital punishment, flogging was the most frequently used
punishment in England and France in the 17th and 18th centuries,” according to Cecilia Blanchfield, author of
Crime and Punishment: A Pitorial History. “Under the French regime in Canada, 95 people—15 of them
women—were publicly whipped.” During the colonial period of British Columbia, this form of punishment was
sometimes used. Flogging and hangings generally took place in public.

Era of Colonial Rule (1849-1870)