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This is the first of the surviving Registers of Prisoners in the County Gaol. Covering the period 1799 to 1836 it is likely that the book was started when the new prison opened in June 1801 and that the earlier entries were of those prisoners already in gaol at that time.

It gives the name, place of last abode, age, height, complexion, colour of hair, employment and earnings [usually not filled in] and remarks on general behaviour of each prisoner. It also says by whom and when they were committed, the offence and sentence, and when and how they were discharged. It also indicates when prisoners have been committed by the Bedford Borough Quarter Sessions and are therefore paid for by the Borough rather than the County rates.