In Time of Lockdown: Reflections on Locks, Lockdown, Isolation

Evolution of Prisons Jessica Macdonald (IH L6) Prisons are not something thought much about in everyday life, but they play a crucial part in the society we live in, protecting us from those who are a danger to society, and trying to rehabilitate those who live within them.

Prisons house an estimated ten million people around the world and have seen a 10% increase in the number of inmates since 2004. However, for centuries prisons were very different from what we see today.

The concept of purpose-built prisons is a fairly modern one as right up until the 18th century more than 200 crimes were punishable by death, corporal punishment, or transportation to the colonies. Before purposebuilt prisons existed, people accused of breaking the law would be kept in small village lock-ups (in rural areas), or the towers of castles in towns. Castles were a good place to hold people as they were well defended and hard to escape from. An early example of this would be Anne Boleyn being kept in the Tower of London. The Tower of London was a famous prison of the Middle Ages, not intentionally built as a prison, but rather as a stronghold to strengthen Norman power in England after the coronation of William the Conqueror. People like debtors would often be held in prison until they could pay their debt, and they made up the majority of those in prison. Even in the 19th century, debtors’ prisons were a part of life, a famous example being Charles Dickens’s father who was imprisoned in Marshalsea prison.

Castles were often used to lock up prisoners in a tower or dungeon as they were very secure. Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire was used as a prison in the 1300s and had huge dungeons made out of stone which lay 35 feet below the castle. This demonstrates how impossible it would be to escape and how intimidating it would be for the prisoners. The prisoners would be held in pits for long periods. Its reputation was so great that it featured in Shakespeare’s plays. In contrast, if you were from a noble or royal family then you would be held in decent quarters with access to your servants. For example, Elizabeth I was put in the Tower of London by her sister Mary I for treason and had a suite of rooms. She was not held in a dungeon as someone of a low rank would be. The largest prisons such as Newgate were established in London. It held around 300 prisoners and operated until 1902. In comparison, the largest prison in the UK today in HMP Oakwood in the West Midlands which holds over 2,000 prisoners, although this prison was a purpose built.

In the Middle Ages, it was common for noblemen to be held prisoner until a ransom was paid. They had not necessarily committed a crime but had fallen victim to a dispute between families. On the other end of the spectrum, the majority of people in prison were debtors. In general, these were businessmen who had fallen on hard times. They were being held until their debts were paid and they could be released. Petty criminals who were caught stealing wouldn’t be imprisoned but subjected to harsh, humiliating punishments. Someone who stole a loaf of bread might be held in stocks and have rotten fruit and vegetables thrown at them; however, a repeat offender might have their hand chopped off. A particularly serious crime such as murder, up until 1969, would lead to a hanging. This meant that for a lot of crimes that would land you in prison today, you wouldn’t be imprisoned a few hundred years ago, but would be subject to a more painful punishment that today we would deem inhumane.

In 1777, John Howard published a book promoting the improvement of conditions in prisons to reduce disease and to abolish the process of jailers being allowed to charge prisoners. Though his book was well regarded, many of his ideas weren’t implemented until the 19th century, which is when, for example, prison staff were given a salary. This made a change because it meant that staff were more likely to treat all prisoners equally rather than favouring those with more money. The Howard League for Penal Reform was named after him and is still relevant. The concept of a purpose-built prison was encouraged by the philosopher Jeremy Bentham who was against the death penalty and looked for an alternative punishment. Purpose-built prisons started being built in the 18th century as a deterrent. There were conflicting views about whether they would help or hinder matters, as some argued that they could be used to rehabilitate offenders rather than just deter them. Others felt that it would be more likely to be encourage criminal activity as criminals would be in one place, networking with each other. Currently in the UK there is a 30% reoffending rate, suggesting that not enough effective rehabilitation and post prison support is taking place.

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