Source A – Elizabeth Fry visiting women prisoners in Newgate Prison:

In 1800 all criminals, men, women and children,  were mixed together in large prison cells. Children under 17 were responsible for a large amount of crime.

Source B – from a report on conditions in Newgate prison in London by Elizabeth Fry:

In 1817 Elizabeth Fry formed the Association for the Improvement of Female prisoners in Newgate. She visited other prisons and set up ladies’ prison associations at each one.

These changes were made at Newgate and were later introduced in other prisons:

• Rules for women to obey in prison
• Female warders
• Schools for women and children in prison, focusing on religious education
• Regular work for women in prison

 

 

Activities

Write a short paragraph to explain the contribution of Elizabeth Fry to prison reform.

Memorise the key dates for prison reform and try to recreate the timeline from memory. 

Review your draft timeline and use a different colour to add extra detail.