crime and punisment industrial era - PUNISHMENT Flashcards
what did John Howard do in 1777?
publish a report detailing the chaotic station of british prisons in 18th century
what did John Howards report in 1777 lead to?
report altered britain + law makers, parliament passed 2 acts to improve conditions, first act ended practice of prisoners paying jailers fees
what did John Howard believe?
believed prison was the punishment, he proposed healthy buildings, separation of prisoners, decent diet, better wardens and a system of inspection
what did Elizabeth Fry do in 1813?
visited woman’s section of Newgate prison in December 1813
what was the result of Elizabeth Fry’s work?
earned trust of woman, led prayers, started a school for their children, created the Association for the Reformation of female prisoners and taught them useful work
what was Pentonville prison?
- built in 1842
-built as result of 1839 Prisons Act which introduced ‘separate system’
what was the separate system?
isolated, individual cells, led to poor mental health, forced to participate in reforming actives to encourage them to live a more christian crime free life
what were the characteristics of the prison separate system?
-matching gender wardens
-heating
-clean water
-own toilet
-sunlight
-iron chains banned
-special chapel built with booths
what was the silent system?
1865 Prisons Act introduced ‘silent system’ making prison life harsher, hard labour intensified e.g crank
what were the characteristics of the silent system?
-treadmill
-silence and boredom allowed prisoners to reflect on crimes
-became about retribution
-increased rates of suicide
-mental health problems
-comforts replaced
who introduced the 1823 Gaols Act?
introduced by Robert Peel but influenced by Elizabeth Fry
what did the 1823 Gaols Act state?
-ensured gender separate prisons with gender according jailers
-prisons should be healthy
-fresh water supply
-proper food
-should attend chapel + recieve regular visits from chaplains
what did the 1717 Transportation Act establish?
established regulated system of transportation to America, official alternative to death penalty
how many criminals were transported to Australia between 1787 and 1850?
150,000 criminals
when and why was transportation abolished?
transportation was abolished in 1868 due to less crime, life improved for many criminals
what were early prisons mostly used for?
mostly used to hold people preparing for trial or execution or for debtors
what were the conditions of early prisons?
dark, dirty, damp, diseases e.g typhus, dysentery, had to pay to see a doctor, many prisoners died of ‘gaol fever’
