Prisons, Crime and Punishment

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Prisons, Crime and Punishment

Causes

  • Public Executions were hotspots for pickpockets. New views on hygiene and violence also had an impact.
  • Increased concerns about migration into cities causing a rise in crime through street robberies.
  • Investigations into the criminality.
  • Needed new way to combat crime. Troops and local militias were outdated.
  • Concerns over the Bloody Code due to its severity and its implementation.
  • Deportation to Australia was abolished 1857 partially due to the complaints of Australia, even though in some cases it served a utilitarian purpose.
  • Crime was becoming more prolific and visible within society.

Effects

  • Public executions were abolished and conducted behind prison walls.
  • Press campaign against said robbers, leading to a significant parliamentary response.
  • Chadwick and Mayhew: Associated the w/c with a 'criminal class'
  • The Metropolitan Police Service created in 1829. Policemen became a full time occupation and were carefully trained.
  • Central London saw a decrease in crime rates however, nearby areas saw crime rates rise. Black Wandsworth.
  • Bloody Code abolished: concerns over violence, hygiene and pickpocketing, code was so strict there were more death sentences than executions. Children being sentenced.
  • Overreliance on British prisons, led to a prison building boom. 90 prisons built in just over 30 years. They were dirty and disorderly.
  • The new use of prisons led to the debate over what their role really was. Was it Utilitarian (to deter future crimes) or Retributive (the criminal must suffer in return for their crimes).
  • Popularisation of 'Crime Tourism'.
  • Crime inspired rhymes, songs, and stories.
  • Crimescene memorabilia.
  • Fashion for women in prisons.
  • Visiting prisons.

Overall summary

The Early Victorian obsession with crime as well as its increased visibility within society led to investigations as well as genuine thought over the punishment system of the period.

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