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The village lock-up or "Blindhouse" was used for the temporary detention of rogues and miscreants thought to be responsible for thefts, burglaries, assaults and
the stealing of livestock, before they could be brought before the magistrate. Over time they became synonymous with the overnight detention of drunks who were usually released the next day.
Many lock-ups were small brick, stone or timber structures with a single door and a narrow slit window or opening (the resulting darkness giving rise to the name of
"blindhouse").
Some lock-ups also had stocks, ducking stools, pillories, or pinfolds alongside them and the origins of the 18th century village lock-up evolved from much earlier
examples of holding cells and devices.
The exact site of the blindhouse in Hungerfod is not known. It may have been a lockup within the Town Hall, which stood in the market place. One Town Hall dated from 1607, and
it was replaced by a Georgian building in 1786. However, the description and references to the Blindhouse in the records seem to imply that it was a separate building.
The Constables' Accounts includes references between 1678 and 1782. Mention is often made of locks being made, timber, planks and nails, and straw for the
floor, and even a lantern in 1755. In 1694 two entries appear to link the pound and the Blind House. Maybe they were adjacent? There were two town pounds - one was in Park Street (opposite the
present-day police station), and the other was on the north west corner of Church Street and Parsonage Lane.
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 "P6082155w")
 "Town Hall 1769(w)")