History B: Crime

and Punishment
Revision cards

Hue and cry meant that certain members

Crimes punished by fines: selling
of the community could arrest criminals.
goods for the wrong prices, assault,
Justice of peace was when people were
breaking legal agreements, paying too
appointed to keep peace in unruly areas.
high a wages to attract workers away
They were seemed to be tough on
poachers because most were landowners. from other villages.
Trial by jury was where minor crimes
were dealt with and all villagers had to
attend or be fined. Tithing was a group of
10 men they had to make sure none of
them broke the law.
Transportation from 1600s criminals Whipping vagrants, thieves, regular
were sent to American colonies in total drunkards, and people who didnt
36,000 were transported, thought as a attend church.
soft option.
Pillory persistant swearing, selling
Prisons used for debtors, people were bad goods, cheating at cards, some
hardly sentenced to prison when
didnt suffer.
transportation was introduced.
Stocks used for those who couldnt
Bridewell 1500s houses of correction pay fine/ drunkeness.
were built to punish/ reform offenders. Fines swearing, gambling, drunken.
i.e. vagrants.
Carting paraded through streets

Medieval prisons weren't for long term

cases they were just for prisoners to
stay before being transported.
Felonies punished by hanging:
Theft worth more than 12 pence (2
days wages), rape, murder, treason,
arson, robbery.
People needed money so they turned to
theft or smuggling. To stop crime the
had revenue men and punishments.
Three severe executions of the early
modern age: burning at the stakes,
hanging, hanging+drawing and
quartering.
The bloody code: It was a list of
crimes that were punished harshly to
deter others. The number of crimes
carrying the death penalty increased.
Punishment was to get rid of the worst
offenders by killing or transporting.

Women could only

go to the court to
accuse someone if
they murdered
her husband( only
if he died in her
arms) , attacked
her resulting in a
miscarriage or
raped her.
Other types of punishments: pillory,
stocks, ducking, stool, carting, whipping,
fines, prisons, bridewell, transportation.

The bloody code was introduced

because law makers were worried
about crime, changes in society made
it harder to enforce the law, they
thought harsh punishments worked to
control crimes.
The number of executions decreased
rather than increasing though the
number of crimes punishable by death
increased (effective deterrent)
Rise of transportation:
Not enough prison space. Hulks were
overcrowded. No national system yet.
Could reform/give useful skills to
criminals.
Needed labour to build up and secure
Australia as a colony (lost control of
America needed another place.)
Increase in petty crime/ deterrent
Bloody code harsh/ removed crime

The bloody code was abolished by

1850. It was abolished because public
execution wasnt working. People
laughed and drank. Also there was a
risk of rioting. Juries became unwilling
to convict (fallen by 10%)because
punishments were unfair this made
criminals confident. Ideas about
punishment were changing.

Key dates in the abolition of the

bloody code: 1820 last beheading of
the cate street conspirator who tried to
assassinate the government.
1820-1830 abolition of most capital
crimes.
1841- only murder and treason as
capital crimes.
1 868-last public hanging.

Fall of transportation:
Australia didnt want criminals dumped
there anymore setup society
People weren't afraid (opportunity could
get well paid job in Australia)
1851 gold was discovered in Australia
Crime rates didnt fall they increased
Australia was established by 1830 no
need to labour sent there.
Cost too much prisons were cheaper.

Peterloo Massacre 1819:

Groups who wanted reform met up
They forced their way through crowds
to arrest leading speakers.
Out of 50,000 500 injured 18 killed
After this a parliament act was passed
banning civilians from training with
weapons.

Why were attitudes to capital

punishment hanging by the mid
1800s?
There were alternatives i.e.
transportation and prison. By the
20th century prisons were the main
punishment
The police force developed making
people feel crime can be detected
and dealt with.
Attitude to punishment changed
The
growth of towns and cities affected
(reform)

crime because it increased. Due to the

lack money, people resorted to theft
(water). Also the poor and rich now
lived closely which gave the poor more
opportunities to turn to crime. The
movement of population affected crime
in a negative way because it was then
hard to keep track of people. Also many
people moved to areas of terrible poverty
meaning they turned to crime.

Thief takers were people who captured

criminals at a time when a police force
wasnt established. Jonathon Wild was
a famous thief taker. He had captured
many criminals but also took part in
criminal activity. Usually he knew who
stoles good/had in his possession. He
avoided handling stolen goods. Many
were impressed. In 1925 he was
executed. Shows how corrupt policing
was.
How successful were attempts to
enforce law and order during the
period c1450 to c1800?

During this time it was long/hard to

enforce law. Various failed attempts.
E.g citizens took law into their own
hands despite led by constables no
proper order (lacked knowledge),
Watchmen were old/ useless /werent
paid, constables appointed each year
but dealt with minor crimes, Bow
street runners dealt with a variety of
crime but small numbers. Army too
violent(
didnt
care) but
In 1700sgovernment
there were no
weapons
by 1800s truncheons were
introduced so officers weren't
vulnerable, 1900s officers could be
issued guns, had body/riots armor.
In conclusion from this information
we gather that many changes were
implicated due to the changing
times/ developments. Over this
period the change of policing helped
it to become what it is today.

Separate system: used by over 50

prisons (1850) but was expensive, older
prisoners couldnt educate younger
prisoners as a result.
Silent system: less harsh than separate
system and les expensive but required
discipline.
Pointless work: government wanted
people to do it more of a punishment,
likely to deter, i.e treadwheel, crank
(1902)

Policing before 1750

If hue and cry was raised people found
criminals led by constables
Constables were two men dealt with things
such as begging without a license (1 year
usually wealthier may not be fair)
Watchmen patrolled streets day/night
Citizen dealt with criminals (get a warrant)
Army was used to put down protest/riots but
were unpopular made it seem like the
government was ignoring them (too violent)
Things started to look up BSR came
up with new ideas such as being full
time (more effective), Increase crime
detentions in areas, Horse patrols
introduced which meant a decrease
in crime.
Overall attempts were failed and
there was many more bad than good
done but soon things started to
change/ improve with time. However
this was only the beginning and gave
people and idea of what could be.

Prisons in the 18th century:

Staff: unpaid/badly paid, charged
prisoners (extortion), not enough to
keep discipline
Prisoners: often made rules no staff to
control them, minor + serious
sentences together,
men/women/children, schools for
crime
Useful work: meant prisoners were
more likely to work after their release.
Ways punishments became harsher
in the 19th century:
More hard labour
Minimum 5 year sentences 2nd
offence
Punishments: whipping electric
shocks, bread+ water diets, solitary C
Carried on for 30 years

People opposed the idea

of a police force because:
The cost
Fear of invasion of
privacy
They thought it wouldnt
work
They thought the
government would use it to
limit their freedom.
In which ways has policing changed
since the 1750s?
From c1750 up til the 21st century
policing has adapted. Main areas of
change: professionals, organization,
technology and weapons.

Sir Robert Peel:

He was appointed home secretary
(1822)
By 1829 hed won support for
metropolitan police.
3200 men recruited.
Tax increased to raise money.
After French war fear of protest
because of high prices/ population
increase.

In 1700s different types of policing as

organization grew, 1800s created
bow street runner but little effect,
started MET police in 1829 by 1900s
42 districts.

Before 1800s no technology but soon

In terms of professionalism policing
had phones, now Morse code
has changed very much. 1700s people transmitter installed in cars, 1930
appointed to be constables (not paid/
first 2way radios, Also set up 999
part time), 1900s job wasnt part time emergency system, used not only for
and they were paid. Training
communication but crime detection
introduced in 1947 and women
in 1900s. Now they use databases,
officers appointed.
videoKey
recordings,
Prison
dates: TV programs,
Accommodation: cramped dirty not 1777
DNA,CCTV,
fingerprints,
cars
John Howard
book state
of the

cleaned, disrepair broken windows

+ floors, Hulks were too crowded,
not enough prisons.
Health: diseases from cramped/dirty
conditions, small pox 8 died (1778)
Gloucester at Christmas.

People turned against Elizabeth Fry

the latest trend was towards
punishment through strict, isolation or
hard labour. She believed the separate
system was cruelty. She gave her
women work which was intended to
give them a sense of dignity.

prisons was published.

1815 Gaolers were paid (taxes)
1835 1st prison inspectors appointed.
1839 general prison rules made
1842 Pentoville prison built (example)
1857 ended use of hulks
1864 Penal servitude Act ensured prisoners
faced harsh conditions
1878 government controlled all prisons.

Elizabeth Frys changes:

Women's prisons had female staff
Volunteer prison visitors
A belief that prison was a place in
which human beings can emerge bette
people than they went in
Should be reformed by work not by
punishment.

How did newgate change (after 1816)Belief in prisons as places to reform

and rehabilitate people.
School fro prison children.
Matron appointed to run womens
section.
Sewing/knitting work useful.
Bible readings held.
Peels good act 1823 took up many of
ideas but was weak because it wasnt
enforced.
Long term: stuff in 1823 Act
Effects of longer sentences
Why the prison population rose
/overcrowding:
(1940-1980):
Leads prison designed for 624 but
1. Average length of sentences
housed 12000 in 1981.
increasing 10year used to be
Overcrowding + staff shortage
unusual but is now common.
meant maybe 23 hours in cell.
2. Proportion of offenders sent for
Reform/education programs cut.
certain crimes increased i.e drunk
Tensions mounted in prisons
drivers trebled 1980s.
They suffered from overcrowding but
3. Numbers in prisons awaiting trials
feared crime so just built more prisons
increased.
(hulks)
Problems 1947-2009:
Prison changes between c1900No educational opportunities
1947:
Probation 1907
Prisons not clean
Longer time to pay fines 1914
Mixed criminals
Open prisons 1934
Overcrowding
Solitary confinement stopped 1922
Shortage of staff
Hulks brought back
Cranks/treadmill abolished 1902
Riots (Strangeway)
Hospitals 1898
Teachers 1922
Women and changing prison system
20th century:
Despite the rise of female prisoners
there were still more male.
14 women's prisons in England
4 female juvenile units
7 mother and baby units
Difference between men and
women's prisons is different health
services + time spent with their kids.

Children and
changing prison
system 20th century:
In the 1908 prisons
called Borstals were set
up for young criminals
to stop them being
influenced.
Focused on hard work
+ education.

Reforms in prisons made:

1896 Broadmoor Hospital opened to
house mentally ill
1902 hard labour on crank/treadmill
abolished
1922 solitary confinement ended,
new uniforms, more visitors
1922 teachers employed, better
diet+heating+conditions
1934 1st open prison started

Reasons for Prison reform:

1.Crime + fear of crime reduced so no
pressure to be harsh.
2.1910-1930s prison population more
on probation more time to pay fines.
3.80% short sentences 1st time offenders.
4.Prisoners seen as misfortunate, led
astray, poor (reformation)
5.Didnt believe it was a good deterrent
(Patterson) people didnt think theyd
ne caught.

There was a protest against prison

conditions in 1990 at Strangeways
prison Manchester millions of
pounds worth of damage.

Improvements since c1750:

No physical punishments i.e. irons,
chains, whipping
Separated men and women
Staff paid + trained
Attitude changed more reform
Health care, better buildings, useful work.
Yes/no because changed a few but in
reality many unsolved problems remain i.e.
overcrowding hard to put right.

The current age limit of ten was

introduced by the1998 crime and
disorder act. Prior there was a
presumption that children aged 10-14
weren't criminally responsible unless
the prosecutor could prove they
knew their actions were criminally
wrong.

Prisons in the 20th century:

Conditions-Despair of buildings
Little educational opportunities
School for crime drugs
Mixed criminals
Cells overcrowded-poor sanitation
Lack of decent supervision

Not improved by c1750:

Overcrowding
Not really getting education/
rehabilitation
Not always good state of repair
Not enough staff
school for crime
High reoffending rates so reform
wasnt working

By 1932 there were 86

borstals/approved schools for boys
and 35 for girls. After 1908 a child
under 7 wasnt held responsible for their
actions it was then raised to 8 in 1933
and 10 in 1963. There were a range of
treatment for young offenders such as:
care, non-custodial, custodial sentences,
attendance centre, community service.
(electrical tagging ) over the years they
became more lenient/ humane.