Lesson 19: 1700-1900 Pentonville prison and separate system

• What year was the Prisons Act that made Pentonville Prison stricter?

  1865
• What was the belief behind the treatment of prisoners in Pentonville?

  Hard labour, hard fare, and hard board
• How many hours a day were prisoners expected to work?

  Up to 12 hours a day
• What type of food were prisoners given daily?

  Boring and bland food
• What type of beds did prisoners have in Pentonville?

  Wooden board beds
• What was the Silent System in Pentonville Prison?

  Prisoners were expected to be silent at all times
• What were the consequences of breaking the Silent System?

  Further corporal punishment such as whipping
• What mental illnesses did prisoners suffer from due to solitary conditions?

  Psychosis and depression
• What was the rate of suicide like in Pentonville Prison?

  High rate of suicide
• What were the aims of the Separate System in Pentonville Prison?

  • Keeping prisoners apart
  • Encouraging reflection on behavior
  • Separation of different types of prisoners
  • Hard labour for rehabilitation
  • Strict discipline for character reform
  • Religious teaching for reflection
  • Improved health and hygiene
• How were prisoners made to work in Pentonville Prison?

  Inside their cells on repetitive tasks
• What types of punishments were used in Pentonville Prison?

  Turning the crank or the treadwheel
• What did prisoners have to wear in the exercise yard?

  Face masks
• How were prisoners seated during religious teachings?

  In separate booths
• What technological advancements were present in Pentonville Prison?

  • Heating system
  • Mechanically ventilated for air
  • Piped water in each cell
  • Small wash basin and flushing toilet
• When was Pentonville Prison built?

  1842
• How many prisoners could Pentonville hold?

  520 prisoners
• What was the design purpose of Pentonville Prison?

  It was a prototype for other prisons
• How long could prisoners be kept in separate cells?

  Up to 23 hours a day
• How many other prisons were built on the Pentonville model between 1840-1880?

  90 other prisons
• What are the 5 'R's of the Separate System?

  1. REFLECTION: Time to reflect on behavior
  2. RELIGION: Time for religious teachings
  3. RELATIONSHIPS: Avoiding influence of criminals
  4. RETRIBUTION: Harsh punishment for crimes
  5. DETERRENT: Punishment deters others
• What were the dimensions of each cell in Pentonville Prison?

  4m x 2m
• What feature of the cells prevented communication between prisoners?

  Thick cell walls