Crime and Punishment- Outline

Learning Intentions

  • Understand the link between living conditions and crime during the Industrial Revolution.

  • Understand why crime increased during the Industrial Revolution.

  • Understand some reforms in the policing, prison, and judicial systems.

  • Analyze historical sources.

  • Assume the role of a judge during this period.

The Impact of the Industrial Revolution

Population and Urbanization

  • Population in 1750: 11 million; projected in 1900, increased significantly.

Transportation Changes

  • From London to Edinburgh took about 10 days in 1750.

Employment in Towns

  • 20% of people worked in towns in 1750; this increased as industries grew.

Health Issues

  • Infant mortality rate was 28/1000 in 1750; significant rise in health problems due to urbanization.

Politics and Education

  • By 1900, only 5% of the population had voting rights; 7 universities existed.

Tasks

  • Complete table reflecting changes from 1750 to 1900.

Poverty and Crime Source Analysis

Task Overview

  • Analyze sources on the impact of poverty on crime, especially among children.

Example Source Analysis

  • Lord Ashley: MP and social reformer; noted horrid living conditions leading to children engaging in crime.

Challenges in Crime Reporting and Detection

  • Difficulty in reporting and detecting crimes during early Victorian period.

Importance of Magistrates

  • Key role in legal system; responsible for prosecuting crimes, different from current systems.

Changes in the System

  • Gradual reforms taking place to improve law enforcement.

Hangings and Capital Punishment

Observations on Executions

  • Inefficiencies in hanging procedures noted; gruesome outcomes during executions.

Prevalence of Capital Offences

  • Discussion on number of crimes that were capital offences.

Robert Peel’s Role

  • Considered a reformer for his changes in criminal justice; focused on humane treatment of prisoners.

Overview of the Prisons Act

  • Important legislation addressing prison conditions.

Transportation as Punishment

Advantages of Transportation

  • Seen as a reform measure, removing convicts from society to places like Australia; varied conditions for transported convicts.

Settling in Australia

  • Reasons convict families were permitted to settle and the benefits each experienced.

Prison Reform

Overview of Conditions in Prisons

  • Sources describe overcrowded, unhealthy conditions in British prisons.

Source Analysis

  • Source A: Conditions in prisons, gaolers' abuses, unequal treatment based on wealth.

  • Source B: Common diseases, overcrowding, no oversight of gaolers.

  • Source C: Innocent individuals exploited for fees, often remained imprisoned indefinitely.

  • Source D: Health and sanitation issues in prisons leading to high mortality rates.

  • Source E: Historical perspectives on prison regulations (or lack thereof).

  • Source F: Personal accounts of prisoner mistreatment and suffering.

The Reformers

Key Reformers

  • Elizabeth Fry: Advocated for humane treatment of female prisoners; used moral persuasion for reforms.

  • George Onesiphorus Paul: Focused on reforming conditions and providing education.

  • John Howard: Criticized prison conditions; significant efforts were made towards reform.

The Police Force - Peel's Reforms

The Metropolitan Police Act

  • Established a professional police force in 1829; aimed to address rising crime rates and prevent civil disorder.

Impact of the Police Force

  • Reduction in crime rates after implementation; public respect for officers grew.

Additional Acts

  • County Borough Police Act mandated local police forces across the UK.

Justifications for a Police Force

  • Address high crime rates to soothe public anxiety; prevent army involvement in civilian matters.