Lincoln Gaol Flashcards
1
Q
What was the time frame of Lincoln Castle gaol and prison?
A
1787-1878
2
Q
What is the focus of Component 2E in the Eduqas GCSE History curriculum?
A
Changes in Crime and Punishment in Britain, c.500 to the present day
3
Q
What type of prisoners were often mixed in the same cells as violent criminals?
A
Debtors
4
Q
Which famous author’s father was imprisoned as a debtor in Marshalsea Prison?
A
Charles Dickens
5
Q
What role did money play in the gaol experience?
A
Prisoners could buy better food or bedding
6
Q
What was the common practice for dealing with criminals before the 18th century?
A
Most criminals were transported to the colonies in America
7
Q
By the middle of the 18th century, how many people were imprisoned in Britain?
A
About 4,000
8
Q
What was the purpose of houses of correction and bridewells developed in the 16th century?
A
To help reform criminals through hard work
9
Q
What significant event in 1776 affected the transportation of criminals?
A
The war with the American colonies
10
Q
What did many judges prefer instead of execution under the ‘Bloody’ Code?
A
Transportation
11
Q
Fill in the blank: Most gaols by the 18th century were just places to temporarily hold _______.
A
[criminals]
12
Q
True or False: Incarceration of criminals for long periods was common before the 18th century.
A
False
13
Q
What led to the development of the concept of reforming criminals in gaols?
A
The development of houses of correction and bridewells
14
Q
How were gaolers compensated for their work in the late 18th century?
A
They charged prisoners as they were not paid a wage
15
Q
What was the fate of most criminals under the ‘Bloody’ Code?
A
They were technically punished by death
16
Q
What did Howard believe needed to be addressed urgently in prisons?
A
Levels of illness and death, corruption of prison staff, and lack of proper conditions
Howard highlighted the need for medical treatment, better food, sanitation, and paid gaolers.
17
Q
What was a significant consequence of overcrowding in prisons during the late 18th century?
A
Diseases like typhus ran rampant, resulting in an estimated 25% of prisoners dying every year
Overcrowding was exacerbated by the lack of separation of prisoners by gender or severity of offense.
18
Q
What did Sir George Onesiphorus Paul contribute to prison design?
A
A design that separated male and female prisoners and included workshops and chapels
His design also emphasized improved ventilation and regular exercise.
19
Q
What was the purpose of Jeremy Bentham’s ‘panopticon’ design?
A
To organize prisoners into single cells around a central area for easier observation by guards
This design became influential after the 1820s.
20
Q
What motivated John Howard to investigate prison conditions?
A
His appointment as High Sheriff of Bedfordshire in 1773
His experiences led to the publication of ‘The State of Prisons’ in 1777.
21
Q
Fill in the blank: Howard believed that prisoners could be turned away from a life of crime if they had the proper _______.
A
conditions
He argued for better conditions in prisons to facilitate rehabilitation.
22
Q
True or False: Conditions in prisons were a concern before the late 18th century.
A
False
There was a general lack of concern about prison conditions until reformers like Howard raised awareness.
23
Q
List some of the issues Howard identified in prisons.
A
- Illness and death rates among prisoners
- Corruption of prison staff
- Lack of separation of prisoners by gender and severity
- Poor security and sanitation
These issues highlighted the urgent need for prison reform.
24
Q
What was a common characteristic of late 18th century gaols?
A
They often housed all prisoners together in a single room, regardless of gender or age
This lack of separation contributed to overcrowding and spread of disease.
25
What did Howard advocate for regarding prison staff?
That gaolers should be paid
## Footnote
He believed that proper compensation for staff would improve prison conditions.
26
What was the estimated annual death rate of prisoners in late 18th century gaols?
25%
## Footnote
This alarming statistic reflects the dire conditions present in the prisons at that time.
27
Who was Elizabeth Fry?
An influential prisoner reform campaigner concerned about conditions for female prisoners in Newgate Prison.
## Footnote
She established a chapel and school at the prison and provided bedding for prisoners.
28
What was the 1823 Gaols Act?
Legislation aimed at improving conditions in prisons influenced by Elizabeth Fry's evidence to Parliament.
## Footnote
It was a significant reform in the penal system addressing the treatment of prisoners.
29
What does the term 'Bloody Code' refer to?
Harsh laws of the Criminal Code developed in the late 17th century making many criminal offences punishable by death.
## Footnote
Over 200 offences were punishable by death under this Code by the late 18th century.
30
What was the intended purpose of the Bloody Code?
To act as a deterrent to crime by instilling fear through public executions.
## Footnote
This strategy aimed to prevent crime by terrorizing witnesses.
31
What alternative to execution was used due to prison overcrowding?
Transportation to the American colonies, and later to Australia.
## Footnote
Judges often preferred this option for minor offences instead of sentencing to death.
32
Who was Sir Samuel Romilly?
An MP who campaigned against the severity of the Bloody Code, leading to significant legal reforms.
## Footnote
He was instrumental in abolishing the death penalty for pickpocketing in 1808.
33
What was the impact of Romilly's 1810 book, 'Observations on the Criminal Law in England'?
It criticized the Bloody Code and argued that rising crime rates indicated the failure of deterrence.
## Footnote
This work influenced Sir Robert Peel's reforms as Home Secretary.
34
What major change occurred in the criminal system in 1776?
Transportation to the American colonies ended due to the War of Independence.
## Footnote
This led to convicts being kept in prison hulks while awaiting new transportation options.
35
What were prison hulks?
Old ships anchored in rivers where convicts awaited transportation.
## Footnote
Conditions on these hulks were poor, similar to those in gaols.
36
When was transportation to Australia resumed?
In 1788, after the end of transportation to the American colonies.
## Footnote
This marked a new chapter in the penal system with Australia as the destination.
37
What happened to Mrs. Mary Burton in 1824?
She was sentenced to 14 years transportation for burglary and sent to Australia after a year in Lincoln Prison.
## Footnote
Her case illustrates the use of transportation as punishment.
38
How many convicts were sent to Australia from Lincoln?
1,200 convicts, mostly for crimes involving theft or protests.
## Footnote
This figure highlights the scale of transportation during that period.
39
When did transportation to Australia officially end?
In 1868, although it was used less frequently as better prisons were developed in Britain.
## Footnote
This shift indicates improvements in the British penal system.
40
What was the ideal location for keeping prisoners in Lincoln?
Lincoln Castle due to its high walls and gates
41
What were the two places in Lincoln Castle that held prisoners by the 18th century?
* County Gaol (Old Gaol)
* Cobb Hall
42
What types of individuals were kept in Lincoln Castle's gaol?
* Debtors
* People awaiting trial
* Convicted criminals
43
What happened to the Old Gaol in Lincoln Castle?
It was demolished when a new prison was built
44
Who was John Howard and what did he do?
A prisoner reformer who visited Lincoln's County Gaol in the 1770s and reported on its horrific conditions
45
In which book was John Howard's report on Lincoln's County Gaol included?
State of Prisons (1777)
46
What were some issues described in John Howard's report?
* Poor living conditions
* Lack of sanitation
* Mixing of criminals and debtors
* Mixing of men and women
47
When did construction begin for the new prison in Lincoln Castle?
1787
48
What is the Georgian Prison known for?
It treated debtors more leniently than criminals
49
Who designed the Georgian Prison in Lincoln Castle?
William Lumby
50
Where were debtors housed in the Georgian Prison?
Rooms at the front of the building overlooking the castle grounds
51
What was the Felon's Wing?
A simpler building at the back of the exercise yards for criminals
52
What privileges did gaolers have in the Georgian Prison?
* Financially exploit their position
* Use prisoners as free laborers
* Charge for bedding and food
* Sell ale to prisoners
53
What security concerns prompted plans for a new prison before Howard's report?
Constant need to repair the castle walls
54
What were some of the years when repairs were made to the castle walls?
* 1756
* 1757
* 1768
* 1772
* 1776
* 1795
* 1807
55
What new facilities were created behind the Georgian Prison?
More secure exercise yards
56
What was added to the prison complex in 1820?
A new debtor's yard
57
What type of sanitation was provided in the exercise yards?
Ash privies
58
What additional facilities were built for prisoners in the Georgian Prison?
* Washrooms
* Infirmary
59
What concerns arose regarding the Georgian Prison building by 1835?
Safety concerns due to pits dug around its corners, suggesting worries about subsidence
60
What was the primary consideration for the magistrates regarding prisoners?
The secure confinement of the prisoners must doubtless be the first consideration of the magistrates.
## Footnote
This reflects the focus on security and safety in prison management.
61
When was the new prison designed along the separate system opened?
1847
## Footnote
This was part of a broader reform in the prison system during the Victorian era.
62
Who introduced the separate system into Lincolnshire?
Joshua Jebb
## Footnote
Jebb was known for building the model prison at Pentonville.
63
What was the purpose of the separate system in prisons?
Prisoners were to be kept separate from each other at all times to contemplate the errors of their lives alone and in silence.
## Footnote
This method aimed to promote reflection and rehabilitation.
64
Who was the only person prisoners were allowed to speak to?
The prison chaplain
## Footnote
This restriction emphasized the isolation aspect of the separate system.
65
What was a notable feature of the exercise yards in the Victorian Prison?
Prisoners had to exercise alone.
## Footnote
This was part of the separate system's design to prevent interaction among inmates.
66
What significant change occurred in Lincoln's prison following the 1839 Prisons Act?
The Felon's Wing was demolished to be replaced by the Crown Wing.
## Footnote
This was part of a new prison building program to modernize facilities.
67
What architectural shape did the Victorian Prison take?
H-shaped building
## Footnote
This design included enclosed exercise yards between its wings.
68
Where were male, female, and child prisoners held before their trials?
Victorian Prison
## Footnote
This facility was also used for criminals awaiting execution or transfer.
69
What features distinguished the guard rooms in the Georgian Prison?
Big fireplaces, dado rails, and cornicing to show their status.
## Footnote
These features indicated the guards' higher status compared to prisoners.
70
What was the arrangement of cells inside the Victorian Prison based on?
Bentham's 'panopticon' design
## Footnote
This design allowed guards to observe all cell doors from a central location.
71
What amenities did each prison cell in the Victorian Prison include?
Well-ventilated with its own toilet and sink.
## Footnote
This was a significant improvement over previous prison conditions.
72
Fill in the blank: Debtors continued to be housed in the _______ Prison.
Georgian
## Footnote
This indicates the continued separation of debtor prisoners from the general prison population.
73
What type of lighting was used in the cells of Lincoln Castle's Victorian Prison?
Gas-light
## Footnote
Gas-light was used to illuminate the prison cells.
74
How were the cells in Lincoln Castle's Victorian Prison heated?
By a large boiler in the basement that blew in hot air through a grill in the floor
## Footnote
This heating system was designed to provide warmth to the prison cells.
75
What health issue was reported in Lincoln Castle's Victorian Prison in 1851?
Typhoid outbreak
## Footnote
The outbreak may have been caused by hot air blowing through the prison and blocked sewers.
76
When did public executions end at Lincoln Castle?
1868
## Footnote
This marked the conclusion of public executions at this site.
77
Where did executions originally take place at Lincoln Castle?
Outside the castle walls on Burton Road
## Footnote
This location was used before executions were moved indoors.
78
How were prisoners executed at Lincoln Castle?
They were brought to the gallows on the back of a cart, and the cart was pulled away to hang them
## Footnote
Family members could pay the hangman to help the victim die quicker.
79
What is the name of the pub opposite the execution site at Lincoln Castle?
Struggler's Arms
## Footnote
The pub retains its name from the historical context of the executions.
80
What is one of the most prominent features of the Victorian Prison?
The chapel
## Footnote
It is one of the last surviving examples of this kind of prison chapel.
81
What unique feature did the chapel in Lincoln Castle's Victorian Prison have?
Each prisoner had their own stall
## Footnote
This design prevented communication among prisoners during services.
82
What was the role of the chaplain in the chapel during services?
To deliver sermons from the pulpit
## Footnote
The prisoners could only see the chaplain during services.
83
Why did the partitions in most prison chapels get removed by the 1860s?
To allow communication among prisoners
## Footnote
However, the partitions in Lincoln survived due to the prison's closure in 1878.
84
Who was Albert Pierrepoint?
An infamous hangman
## Footnote
His family once owned the Struggler's Inn public house.
85
Who was the governor of Lincoln Prison between 1799 and 1830?
John Merriweather
86
What was built on Cobb Hall to improve public visibility of executions?
Gallows
87
How many people could attend an execution at Lincoln Castle?
Up to 15,000 people
88
What was the first execution held on Cobb Hall, and when did it occur?
Elizabeth Whiting on 15th March 1817
89
How many people were executed on Cobb Hall between 1817 and 1859?
38 people
90
Where are the graves of executed criminals marked?
In the mound of Lucy Tower in the castle grounds
91
True or False: Most prisons in the 18th century had their own hangman for executions.
False
92
What unusual practice occurred in Lincoln Castle in 1784 regarding execution?
Convicted criminals were used as executioners
93
Who was the hangman in charge of all of Lincoln's executions between 1829 and 1859?
William Calcraft
94
What method did William Calcraft use for executions?
'Short drop' method
95
What was the name of the method developed by William Marwood for more effective hangings?
'Measured drop' or 'long drop'
96
Who was the first person executed using the 'measured drop' method?
William Frederick Horry
97
In what year was William Frederick Horry executed at Lincoln Castle?
1872
98
Fill in the blank: The new Cobb Hall gallows were considered to be a more _______ means of execution.
humane
99
What did the 'measured drop' method aim to achieve during an execution?
To break the neck quickly without the risk of decapitation
100
What year was the transfer of prisoners to a new purpose-built prison completed?
1878
## Footnote
The new prison was built on Greetwell Road in Lincoln.
101
Who designed the new prison built in Lincoln in 1872?
Frederick Peck
## Footnote
The prison was built in the high Victorian Gothic style.
102
What significant change occurred in Lincoln's prison system after 1878?
Lincoln's Victorian Prison closed down
## Footnote
This was due to decreasing prisoner numbers and maintenance costs.
103
What legislation banned public hangings in 1868?
Capital Punishment Amendment Act
## Footnote
After this, hangings took place inside Cobb Hall.
104
What was the first execution method used at Her Majesty's Prison Lincoln?
Hanging
## Footnote
The first execution occurred in 1883.
105
What type of prisoners was HMP Lincoln originally designed to hold?
Both male and female prisoners
## Footnote
It was reduced to only male prisoners in 1900.
106
How many executions took place at HMP Lincoln between 1883 and 1961?
18 executions
## Footnote
The first execution was in 1883, and the last was in 1961.
107
What event in 2002 led to HMP Lincoln being named one of Britain's most overcrowded prisons?
A serious prisoner riot
## Footnote
Despite this, by 2020, it was operating slightly below maximum capacity.
108
When did the first execution at Her Majesty's Prison Lincoln occur?
1883
## Footnote
Executions continued until 1961.
109
What criticism did John Howard have regarding the use of medieval gaols in the 18th century?
Criticisms of continued use
## Footnote
He highlighted the inadequacies of such facilities.
110
What was Lincoln Castle originally before it became a prison?
A motte-and-bailey structure
## Footnote
It was converted to stone in the 12th century.
111
Who was the local sheriff and what role did Lincoln Castle play?
Home to the local sheriff
## Footnote
It became the focus of the local justice system.
112
What was the main purpose of Cobb Hall tower added to the castle in the 13th century?
It contained a dungeon that can still be visited today.
## Footnote
The dungeon was part of the castle's history as a prison.
113
When did the Lincoln Castle County Gaol begin to be regularly used for keeping prisoners?
In the 17th century.
## Footnote
The gaol continued its use into the 18th century.
114
Who were some of the most notorious prisoners held in the county gaol?
The Witches of Belvoir.
## Footnote
They were among the infamous prisoners during that time.
115
What criticisms did John Howard make regarding the conditions in prisons?
None of the rooms or court had fresh water or sewage, and there was no chapel or infirmary.
## Footnote
Howard was concerned about both the health and moral conditions of the prisoners.
116
What was a significant concern of John Howard regarding prisoner interactions?
Mixing all sorts of prisoners together could lead to them learning from each other and not reforming.
## Footnote
He feared that this would prevent first-time offenders from leaving their criminal ways behind.
117
How did William Chaldwell describe the prison during the Civil War?
A 'stinking witch hole'.
## Footnote
This highlights the poor conditions of the prison at that time.
118
What did the Duke of Montagu's report state about the morals of prisoners?
The morals of prisoners were neglected as much as their health.
## Footnote
Idleness, drunkenness, and vice were prevalent.
119
What recommendations did John Howard make after visiting the county gaol?
Gaolers should be paid, regular church services should occur, medical treatment should be provided, and prisoners should receive job assistance upon release.
## Footnote
These recommendations aimed to improve prisoner conditions and rehabilitation.
120
Describe the conditions of criminals in the dungeons according to John Howard.
They were kept in vaults that were offensive, with little short straw on the floors.
## Footnote
The dungeons were cramped and poorly maintained.
121
Fill in the blank: John Howard published 'An Account of Prisons and Houses of ______ in the Midland Circuit'.
Correction.
## Footnote
This work highlighted the conditions of prisons.
122
What was the size of the gaoler's area according to Howard's observations?
A spacious area of near seven acres.
## Footnote
This contrasts sharply with the conditions faced by the prisoners.
123
What was one of Howard's recommendations for prison cleanliness?
Every prison be white-washed at least once every year
## Footnote
Howard recommended twice in much crowded prisons.
124
What did Howard recommend for prisoner bathing facilities?
Every prison be supplied with a warm and cold bath, or commodious bathing tubs
## Footnote
Prisoners should be indulged in the use of baths with proper soap and towels.
125
How did Howard suggest prisoners should be separated?
Felons from debtors, men from women, old offenders from young beginners, convicts from those not yet tried
## Footnote
This was to ensure better management and rehabilitation.
126
What clothing policy did Howard recommend for prisoners?
All prisoners, except debtors, be clothed on admission with a prison uniform
## Footnote
Their own clothes should be returned upon trial or dismissal.
127
What was a key focus of Howard's prison reform recommendations?
Proper food supply for prisoners, ensuring allowance is not deficient in weight or quality
## Footnote
This was essential for maintaining health and dignity.
128
When did Howard help raise money for the construction of a new prison in Lincoln?
1787
## Footnote
This led to the construction of the Georgian Prison.
129
What role did Sir Robert Peel play in prison reform?
Became Home Secretary in 1823 and put reformers' ideas into practice
## Footnote
This included making prisons healthier for possible reform.
130
What significant change occurred in the number of capital crimes by the 19th century?
There was a considerable reduction in the number of capital crimes
## Footnote
Prisons became an alternative to execution and transportation.
131
What was the philosophy of the separate system in the Victorian Prison by the 1840s?
Preventing any communication between prisoners
## Footnote
This was intended to help them reflect on their crimes.
132
What educational focus was mentioned for 'turnkeys' in the Lincoln Prison?
Teaching inmates the 'Three Rs' (Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic)
## Footnote
This was part of the effort to reform prisoners.
133
What was the punishment for serious crimes in Lincoln Prison?
Still punishable by death
## Footnote
This reflects the continuation of severe penalties during this period.
134
What was one consequence for William Messenger in Lincoln Prison?
Placed in dark cell on bread and water for 3 days for destroying prison books and insolence
## Footnote
This highlights the strict discipline enforced in prisons.
135
What type of design did the Victorian Prison in Lincoln follow?
Separate system design
## Footnote
Similar to the new model prison at Pentonville.
136
What facilities were included in the separate cells of the Victorian Prison in Lincoln?
Their own sanitary arrangements, exercise yards, daily chapel services
## Footnote
This was aimed at improving the living conditions of prisoners.
137
What was the primary focus of the 1823 Gaols Act?
Prisons should be made secure; gaolers should be paid; female prisoners should be kept separately from male prisoners; doctors and chaplains should visit prisons; attempts should be made to reform prisoners.
## Footnote
This act marked a significant shift in prison reform and the treatment of inmates.
138
What system of punishment began to replace transportation according to the 1823 Gaols Act?
Imprisonment.
## Footnote
The act indicated a move towards viewing imprisonment as a more effective form of punishment.
139
What was a major concern regarding the separate system implemented in Lincoln's Victorian Prison?
The effect on the mental health of prisoners.
## Footnote
There were worries about isolating inmates for extended periods.
140
What were the designed capacities for female and male prisoners in Lincoln's Victorian Prison?
12 female and 32 male prisoners.
## Footnote
These numbers were often exceeded, complicating the implementation of the separate system.
141
What outbreak hindered the separate system's implementation at Lincoln's Victorian Prison?
An outbreak of typhoid fever.
## Footnote
This public health crisis added to the challenges faced by the prison.
142
By the 1860s, which prison philosophy replaced the separate system?
The silent system.
## Footnote
This new approach was characterized by hard labor and minimal communication among prisoners.
143
What was the main purpose of the silent system introduced after the 1865 Prisons Act?
To make prisoners prefer not to commit crimes again rather than suffer harsh treatment.
## Footnote
The approach aimed to deter future crimes through punitive conditions.
144
What significant change occurred in the 1839 Prison Act?
The building of new prisons based on the separate system of the model prison at Pentonville.
## Footnote
This act was a pivotal moment in prison reform and facility development.
145
What was the impact of the 1869 Debtor's Act on Lincoln's Victorian Prison?
It severely limited the ability of courts to give a prison sentence to debtors, leading to a drop in the prison population.
## Footnote
This contributed to the eventual closure of the prison in 1878.
146
What did the 1779 Penitentiary Act aim to address?
The conditions of the prison system.
## Footnote
Although it had little immediate effect, it informed future reforms.
147
What was the significance of the 1877 Prison Act?
It began the process of giving full control of prisons to the Home Secretary.
## Footnote
This allowed for a uniform prison system without local interference.
148
When was Lincoln's Victorian Prison closed?
1878.
## Footnote
The closure was facilitated by the powers granted to the Home Secretary by the 1877 Prison Act.
149
Fill in the blank: The separate system was intended to provide _______ for prisoners.
solitary contemplation.
## Footnote
This approach focused on individual reflection as part of rehabilitation.
150
What was the impact of laws passed in the 1820s, 1830s, and 1860s on capital punishment?
They reduced the number of crimes that would result in executions.
151
What was banned by the 1868 Capital Punishment Amendment Act?
Public hangings.
152
Where did hangings take place after the 1868 Capital Punishment Amendment Act?
Inside Cobb Hall with just journalists present.
153
What happened to executions at HMP Lincoln after the Victorian Prison was shut down?
Executions continued at HMP Lincoln.
154
When were executions halted nationally?
From 1948 for five years.
155
What was the purpose of the Homicide Act 1957?
It further reduced the number of capital crimes.
156
When did executions end at HMP Lincoln?
In 1961.
157
When was the death penalty abolished by Parliament?
In 1965.
158
Fill in the blank: Public hangings were banned by the _______.
1868 Capital Punishment Amendment Act.
159
True or False: Executions at HMP Lincoln continued after the Victorian Prison was closed.
True.
