Case study: The separate system at Pentonville prison.

Question 1

What was the prison seen as through the 1800s?

Answer 1

Seen as a viable alternative to transportation and execution.

Question 2

When was Pentonville prison built?

Answer 2

In 1842 as a prototype.

Question 3

What did prisoners do in prison?

Answer 3

They lived in separate cells and stayed there for up to 23 hours a day.

Question 4

What was the aim of the separate conditions?

Answer 4

-Individual improvement.
-Solitude to reform through faith and self-reflection.
- Not be influenced by other criminals.
-Deter crime through punishment.
-Ensure retribution (pay for their crime).

Question 5

What were the living conditions like in the prison?

Answer 5

-Highly disciplined.
-Isolating prisoners to ensure they had time to face their crimes.
-Thick walls to stop communicating.
-Worked in cells.
-These conditions led to mental health issues including depression and psychosis.
-High suicide rate.

Question 6

What did the reformers want?

Answer 6

They wanted prisoners to have the opportunity to change their ways.

Question 7

1865 Prison Act

Answer 7

It aimed to enforce a strict, uniform regime of punishment in all prisons.