1750 - 1900 Punishment

Question 1

When did the bloody code end?

Answer 1

The bloody code ended in the early 1800s, when a huge amount of crimes were declared to no longer be punished capitally.

Question 2

What change was made to hanging during the industrial period?

Answer 2

During this period, the ‘new drop’ was developed, which relied on the breaking of the criminals neck to kill them instead of suffocation. This was later developed by William Marwood with the long drop.

Question 3

Who developed the long drop?

Answer 3

The long drop was developed by William Marwood.

Question 4

What did the long drop change about hangings?

Answer 4

The long drop involved calculating the exact length of rope needed to break the criminals neck painlessly (relatively speaking).

Question 5

What completely new punishment was developed in the industrial period?

Answer 5

During the industrial period, transportation was used as a punishment for the very first time.

Question 6

When did America declare independence and, consequently, the destination for transportation changed to Australia?

Answer 6

America declared independence in the late 18th century.

Question 7

Why did transportation to Australia end? (4)

Answer 7

• Taxpayers didn’t like having to support families who lost their parents forever.
• British reformers argued that the conditions on the ships were too brutal.
• Australia was getting fed up of it.
• Some found it unfair that criminals were given a whole new life. Some people even paid to start over in Australia.

Question 8

When did transportation end?

Answer 8

Transportation ended in mid-1800.

Question 9

How were the conditions of prisons in at the start of the industrial period?

Answer 9

At this point, prisons were terrible places. They were completely unregulated, prisoners had to pay for food etc.

Question 10

Who was John Howard and what did he do?

Answer 10

John Howard was a prison reformer who visited gaols across the country and found appalling conditions.

Question 11

What were the two acts established with the help of John Howard?

Answer 11

Both the discharged prisoners act and the health of prisoners act were passed as a result of John Howard’s actions and recommendations.

Question 12

What did the discharged prisoners act change?

Answer 12

The discharged prisoners act removed the discharge fee that prisoners had to pay before they could leave prison.

Question 13

What did the health of prisoners act involve?

Answer 13

The health of prisoners act declared that all prisons had to be cleaned regularly and whitewashed.

Question 14

Who was Elizabeth Fry and what did she do?

Answer 14

Elizabeth Fry was a prison reformer who visited Newgate prison and found 300 women packed in a space for 50.

Question 15

What did Elizabeth Fry change about prisons?

Answer 15

Elizabeth Fry set up a small school for Newgate prison and got women to be divided into groups of 12, all with similar offences.

Question 16

When was the first purpose built national prison built?

Answer 16

The first purpose built prison was constructed in the early 1800s.

Question 17

Where was the first purpose national prison built?

Answer 17

The first purpose built prison was built in Millbank, London.

Question 18

How successful was the purpose built prison at Millbank?

Answer 18

The prison was very unsuccessful, costing much more than expected and being subject to prisoner riots.

Question 19

What was the gaols act?

Answer 19

The gaols act required JPs to visit and report on local prisons. The prisons were also broken up into different segments of prisoners.

Question 20

What was Pentonville prison?

Answer 20

Pentonville prison was a functional national prison built within London.

Question 21

How did the amount of prisons being built change over the industrial period.

Answer 21

Throughout the industrial period, more and more prisons were being built across the country.

Question 22

What was the separate system?

Answer 22

The separate system isolated prisoners; they were only allowed to leave for exercise and to visit the chapel. The isolation drove many prisoners to suicide.

Question 23

What was the silent system?

Answer 23

The silent system clumped prisoners together, but they were still not allowed to communicate. The prisoners typically did pointless work, such as picking oakum.

Question 24

What did the prison act change about prisons?

Answer 24

The prison act made prisons harder, with a focus on hard labour. The work was often pointless with unpleasant food. Created to act as a deterrent.