Later improvements included the building of 90 new prisons between 1842 and 1877. The first of these was Pentonville Prison, London. While conditions in the gaols improved, the manner in which prison life was organised made life difficult for the prisoners. Prisons were run on the Separate system, that is, all prisoners were kept separate in their own cells. Prisons were also run by the Silent system, which was hard labour in silence – ‘hard labour, hard fare and hard board’.
Pentonville Prison built in 1842.
Here there were individual cells for prisoners with washing
facilities, hammock bed, a window for light and a loom for work. Prisoners were exercised with
masks to prevent talking with other prisoners.
11
HISTORICAL EMPATHY
What is your understanding of the life of prisoners in Pentonville Prison in the mid-19th century?
