The work of Elizabeth Fry and Joseph Gurney

Fry and Gurney made their tour of prisons in 1818, over 40 years after Howard had reported his findings. Take a close look at this source (an enlarged version and transcript are available) to see if any progress had been made.

1. Make a list of all the faults contained in this report about the various Durham prisons.

2. Why would the authors express concern that prisoners were not being ‘classified’?

3. What do the authors mean by ‘ironed only when refractory’?

4. What is meant by ‘they find their own firing’? What consequences might this have for some prisoners?

5. What features of the new Durham prison do they like?

6. What other features would the authors like to see in the new Durham prison?

7. Has there been any improvement since John Howard visited?

8. Having read these extracts, what principles in running a prison are important to Fry and Gurney?

Once you have finished, find out more about Fry and Gurney’s views on the purpose on punishment and the role of prisons.

Fry and Gurney also used their tract to lay down some of their views about Crime and Punishment. This source (an enlarged version and transcript are available) uses extracts from the book to consider how it fits with their belief in prison reform.

1. According to Fry and Gurney, what do most people think the purpose of ‘penal provisions’ is?

2. Do they agree with this view? (Do you?) Why?

3. What do Fry and Gurney think the purpose of ‘punishment’ should be?

4. The authors think that punishment can be used to prevent crime in two ways. What are these?

5. How does this tie in with their thoughts on how to reform prisons? (Think about the improvement they wanted to see in the new Durham gaol.)

Finished? Why not move on to find out if the new prison adopted any of Fry and Gurney’s recommendations.