Punishment in Victorian Times: A Study of Legal Practices and Prison Conditions

The Victorian era, spanning from 1837 to 1901 under Queen Victoria's reign, was marked by significant societal changes, including developments in legal and penal systems. During this period, the methods of punishment for criminals underwent a transformation, reflecting the values and beliefs of the time. This essay explores the types of punishment for minor crimes, prison conditions, and more severe penalties used during the Victorian era.

Minor Crimes and Their Punishments

During the Victorian era, men who committed minor crimes were subjected to physical punishment such as flogging, which was not a practice for women. Flogging was meant to serve as a stern warning and a deterrent to future offenses. However, the frequency and intensity of these punishments were often severe, and some historians argue that they served more as a form of torture.

The Treadmill and Other Initialization

In 1817, the treadmill was invented as a new form of punishment, primarily to replace older methods such as hard labor. The idea behind the treadmill was that it would be both a physical and psychological punishment, as the prisoners were forced to turn a handle repeatedly, often throughout their day.

Accompanying the treadmill were other labor-intensive tasks, such as turning a crank. These tasks were designed to be tedious and without much purpose, often leaving prisoners feeling that their labor was pointless. Unlike the treadmill, which was abolished in British prisons in 1898 due to its harsh treatment of inmates, the crank remained in use until 1898. The prisoners had to turn the crank thousands of times before they were allowed to eat, ensuring ongoing physical strain and mental fatigue.

Behavioral Misconduct and Further Penalties

For those who misbehaved, or if they attempted to escape or were found guilty of more serious crimes, further penalties were applied. Convicts who misbehaved in prison were often subjected to flogging, which left physical marks and was intended to instill a sense of fear and respect for the law. Flogging could be brutal and was certainly painful for the convict.

Severe Penalties and Public Hangings

For the most serious crimes, such as murder or treason, the penalty was typically hanging. Prior to 1868, these executions were conducted in public, often attracting large crowds of spectators. The public nature of these hangings served as a deterrent, as it was meant to impress upon the general public the severity of the crimes and the consequences they would face. These public executions were stripped of any ritual, with the focus on the grim spectacle of the hanging itself, designed to instill fear and awe in the witnesses.

Conclusion

The Victorian era's treatment of criminals reflects the social and legal norms of the time. While these practices were ostensibly designed to instill fear and respect for the law, they also serve as a stark reminder of the harshness and inhumanity of some of the methods employed during this period. As society evolves, the approaches to justice and punishment continue to change, striving for more humane and effective methods.

Key Points:

Flogging was a common punishment for minor crimes, typically reserved for men. The treadmill was introduced in 1817, bringing a new form of punishment but was abolished in 1898. Behaving miscreants were also subjected to flogging. Severe crimes such as murder or treason resulted in hanging, often in public until 1868.