Case Study:Separate System

Question 1

Growth of the prison system in the mid 19th century:

Answer 1

1. Crime rates from 1800-1840 rose from 5,000 to 20,000
2. Throughout the 19th C, prison was seen as a more viable option for punishment.

Question 2

What were conditions at the Pentonville-Separate system intended to do?

Answer 2

1. Built in 1842
2. Opportunity for individual improvement
3. Self-improvement
4. No bad influence
5. Retribution
6. Deterence
7. Lived in separate cells for up to 23hrs

Question 3

What was the building like?

Answer 3

1. 5 wings with a base for staff in the centre
2. Could accommodate 520 prisoners
3. Cells had a floor area of 4m by 2m
4. Small high window for light
5. Thick glass windows and iron bars

Question 4

What were conditions at the Pentonville-Separate system like?

Answer 4

1.Thick walls to stop communication
2. Isolated and did boring repetitive tasks
3. Like unravelling rope.
4. Lack of human contact lead to psychosis and depression

Question 5

Prison conditions in the late 19th century:

Answer 5

1. 1865 Prison Act made a strict regime
2. Assistant Director of Prisons Sir Edmund Du Cane said that prisoners would get ‘hard fare and hard labour.’
3. Demanding work for 12hrs
4. Boring and bland diet
5. Hard board.