Prison Rules and Reform, 1819

Shortly after the new Gaol and House of Correction opened in Durham, a set of rules governing its operation was issued. We are going to use some extracts (an enlarged version and transcript available) to consider whether the influence of the prison reformers can be seen.

1. Read the extracts carefully and then put the various rules and regulations into modern English.

2. Have the rules been influenced by the work of the reformers? If so, which ones and how can you tell?

3. Do you think these rules would have improved life for the prisoners?

Once you have finished, see if anything had changed by 1865.