One of the earliest institutions of its kind, Bedford Lunatic Asylum was built  in 1812 along Ampthill Road, near to the Infirmary. The passing of the Lunacy Act in 1808 permitted counties to spend rate money on asylums, and this meant that for the first time care for the mentally ill was not left to the parish or the family. Samuel Whitbread headed the committee which resolved to build the asylum for Bedford, and the result of their efforts was a well- furnished, progressive building with an airy interior and staff who were encouraged to exercise kindness and compassion . Without modern knowledge of drugs and psychotherapy, however, the treatment available at the institution was extremely basic, still using handcuffs and straitjackets. The capacity of the asylum was extended in 1850 to 250 inmates, and it was able to take patients from other counties. However, within just a few years of the extension's opening the Asylum was judged unsuitable for modern ameliorative treatment of the insane and was closed. The site is now occupied by housing and the former Lunatics' burial-ground is under a children's play area.