Section C: punishment in the 18th and 19th centuries

What was the "Bloody Code"?
A: The period when many crimes carried the death penalty—50 in 1688, 160 in 1765, and 222 by 1810.

Why did attitudes towards the death penalty begin to change?
A: Hanging was no longer seen as effective, rehabilitation became popular, and new punishments were available.

When was the last execution for cutting down an orchard?
A: 1814.

When was the last hanging for shoplifting?
A: 1822.

What did the 1823 Judgement of Death Act allow judges to do?
A: Reduce the death penalty to transportation.

What did the 1832 Punishment of Death Act do?
A: Reduced capital crimes to 60.

Why were executions traditionally public?
A: To act as a deterrent.

Why did public executions become unpopular?
A: They became rowdy, like carnivals, attracting drunken, disorderly crowds and crime.

What humanitarian concern did reformers raise about executions?
A: That the condemned deserved more dignity.

When were public executions ended?
A: 1868.

Why did Britain stop transporting convicts to America after 1783?
A: The American War of Independence ended British control of the colonies.

: How many people were transported to Australia?
A: About 160,000 (around one-sixth were women).

Why did the authorities favour transportation?
A: Cheaper than building prisons and helped populate Australia.

What were hulks?
A: Disused ships used as floating prisons before transportation.

What were conditions like on the journey to Australia?
A: Dirty, cramped, prisoners kept below deck; trip lasted up to three months.

Why did transportation become unpopular in Australia?
A: Belief ex-convicts caused crime and took jobs from free settlers.

Why did transportation decline in Britain?
A: Seen as inhumane, too expensive, less of a deterrent after gold was discovered, and more prisons were built.

When did transportation to Australia end?
A: 1868.

What key changes were made to prisons between 1815–1865?
A: 1815: jailers paid by taxes;
1823: prisoners categorised;
1835: prison inspections;
1865: national rules for all prisons.

What reforms did John Howard and Elizabeth Fry promote?
A: Howard: decent food/water, private cells, Christian teaching, wages.
Fry: sewing/Bible lessons, female warders, improved living conditions, and campaigning.