A BRIEF HISTORY OF PUNISHMENT –
18th & 19th CENTURY
• The 18th century is characterised as the era of the 'Bloody Code‘ – over 200 offences
punishable by death. Growing opposition to the death penalty for all but the most
serious crimes.
• Mid-18th century - imprisonment, with hard labour, emerged as a ‘suitable’ sanction
for petty
offenders.
• Transportation. ‘Convicts’ were shipped to the British colonies such as America and
Australia. Between 1788 and 1868, approximately 161,700 convicts were transported to
Australia.
• The start of 19th Century was a watershed in the history of state punishment. Capital
punishment was now regarded as an inappropriate sanction for many crimes. The shaming
sanctions (e.g. stocks, were regarded as outdated).
• By mid-century, imprisonment had replaced capital punishment for most serious offences,
except for murder.
, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE
MODERN PRISON?
According to HM Prison Service, the
purpose is:
To protect the public by:
• Holding prisoners securely
• Reducing the risk of prisoners re-
offending
• Providing safe and well- We keep those sentenced to
ordered establishments in prison in custody, helping the
which we treat prisoners lead law-abiding and useful l
humanely, decently & both while they are in priso
lawfully. and after they are released.
18th & 19th CENTURY
• The 18th century is characterised as the era of the 'Bloody Code‘ – over 200 offences
punishable by death. Growing opposition to the death penalty for all but the most
serious crimes.
• Mid-18th century - imprisonment, with hard labour, emerged as a ‘suitable’ sanction
for petty
offenders.
• Transportation. ‘Convicts’ were shipped to the British colonies such as America and
Australia. Between 1788 and 1868, approximately 161,700 convicts were transported to
Australia.
• The start of 19th Century was a watershed in the history of state punishment. Capital
punishment was now regarded as an inappropriate sanction for many crimes. The shaming
sanctions (e.g. stocks, were regarded as outdated).
• By mid-century, imprisonment had replaced capital punishment for most serious offences,
except for murder.
, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE
MODERN PRISON?
According to HM Prison Service, the
purpose is:
To protect the public by:
• Holding prisoners securely
• Reducing the risk of prisoners re-
offending
• Providing safe and well- We keep those sentenced to
ordered establishments in prison in custody, helping the
which we treat prisoners lead law-abiding and useful l
humanely, decently & both while they are in priso
lawfully. and after they are released.
