Victorian Prisons

“It is not the prisoners who need reformation, it is the prison” — Oscar Wilde

The truth about Victorian prisons was that to many (especially those of the poorer classes), life in prison was better than life in their own homes. Many ‘broke the law’ deliberately to go back into prison, for a roof over their heads and ‘decent food’. Even those in the Workhouses did this — because prison was better than the Workhouse!

There were two types of prisons in the Victorian Era. The “Convict” prison where prisoners served three years or more for the more serious offences, and the “Local” prisons where prisoners served up to two years sentences for less serious crimes. The convict prisons had cleaner conditions and there was more humane treatment. The local prisons were not so ‘comfortable’ and the treatment was more severe. This was because convict prisons were under Government control and had to meet certain ‘standards’, whereas local prisons did not and often used 18th Century buildings which were ‘no longer fit for purpose’. The local prisons didn’t come under Government control until 1877.

Once a sentence had been given, the prisoner was sent to a certain prison. On arrival, he or she had a tepid bath, with men having their hair cropped. Women only had their hair cut for hygiene reasons, and only if they agreed to it. Then the prisoner was examined by the medical Officer, height, weight and any physical features were recorded — colour of the eyes and hair, complexion and birthmarks or scars. Also, it was then determined if the…