Bridewell one that would do for Dickens? (3,4)
I believe the answer is:
old nick
'dickens?' is the definition.
(both can informally mean the Devil)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
(Other definitions for old nick that I've seen before include "The Evil One" , "Familiar name for the devil, ancient chap" , "'The prince of darkness (3,4)'" , "Fleet, for example" , "Alcatraz?" .)