Gaols Act 1823
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The Gaol Act (4 Geo 4 c 64), sometimes called the Gaol Act 1823, the Gaols Act 1823, the Gaols, etc. (England) Act 1823, the Prison Act 1823, or the Prisons Act 1823, was an Act of the
Parliament of the United Kingdom The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. It meets at the Palace of Westminster, London. It alone possesses legislative suprema ...
to reform prisons.


Overview

The idea of prison reform was promoted in the early 19th century by
Elizabeth Fry Elizabeth Fry (née Gurney; 21 May 1780 – 12 October 1845), sometimes referred to as Betsy Fry, was an English prison reformer, social reformer, philanthropist and Quaker. Fry was a major driving force behind new legislation to improve the tr ...
and her brother
Joseph John Gurney Joseph John Gurney (2 August 1788 – 4 January 1847) was a banker in Norwich, England and a member of the Gurney family of that city. He became an evangelical minister of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), whose views and actions led, ...
. In particular, Fry was appalled at the conditions in the women's section of Newgate Prison. This Act was introduced and supported by Home Secretary Robert Peel. It introduced regular visits to prisoners by chaplains; provided for the payment of gaolers, who had previously been paid out of fees that the prisoners themselves were required to pay; stated that female and male prisoners should be kept separated as well as requiring the installation of female wardens to guard female prisoners; and prohibited the use of irons and manacles. It also lifted the death penalty from 130 crimes. The Act was largely ineffective, because there were no inspectors to make sure that it was being followed. The Prisons Act 1835 offered a remedy by providing for the appointment of five paid prison inspectors. This helped to stop the exploitation of prisoners.


See also

*
English criminal law English criminal law concerns offences, their prevention and the consequences, in England and Wales. Criminal conduct is considered to be a wrong against the whole of a community, rather than just the private individuals affected. The state, i ...


Notes and references

*John Raithby. The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Printed by George Eyre and Andrew Strahan. London. 1824. Volume 9. Page
249
to 272. 1823 in law United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 1823 Penal system in England 1823 in England {{UK-statute-stub