jail delivery

American  

noun

1. a liberation of persons from prison, especially by force.

2. the act of clearing a jail of prisoners by bringing them to trial, as at the assizes in England.

---

jail delivery British  

noun

1. forcible and illegal liberation of prisoners from jail

2. English law (formerly) a commission issued to assize judges when they come to a circuit town authorizing them to try all prisoners and release those acquitted

---

Etymology

Origin of jail delivery

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75

Example Sentences

As we chose not to have them fall into the hands of the rebels, a general jail delivery was ordered this morning, which set him at large.”

From Janice Meredith by Ford, Paul Leicester

What cries of joy, what sobs of relief from the saner inmates, as they try to think their new, almost incredible jail delivery!

From Orphans of the Storm by MacMahon, Henry

In March, 1913, Congress enacted an Amnesty bill which would have meant a general jail delivery throughout the Island, and which President Gomez was strongly inclined to sign.

From The History of Cuba, vol. 4 by Johnson, Willis Fletcher

Indeed, he most successfully protested against the conduct of Henry VI., who held a jail delivery in the bishop's hall.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Exeter A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal See by Addleshaw, Percy

"There's the True Blue put on extra to-day for the jail delivery," he remarked.

From Highway Pirates or, The Secret Place at Coverthorne by Avery, Harold