The State of Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales: Not for the Debtor Only, but for Felons Also, and Other Less Criminal Offenders (Cambridge ... - British and Irish History, 19th Century) - Softcover

Neild, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1108036996 ISBN 13: 9781108036993

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2011

Synopsis

James Neild (1744-1814), penal reformer and philanthropist, first became interested in the welfare of prisoners after visiting a friend jailed for debt. He went on to investigate prisons across Britain, France, Flanders, and Germany, fundraising to release those incarcerated for petty debt. In 1772 he helped establish the Society for the Relief and Discharge of Persons Imprisoned for Small Debts (the Thatched House Society), which succeeded in freeing over 16,000 debtors. Published in 1812, this work records the findings of Neild's thorough survey of debtors' prisons in Britain, and also discusses those imprisoned for other minor criminal offences. Neild exposes the harsh sentences assigned to debtors and petty criminals, using this evidence to support his campaign to improve the conditions of the prisoners and to stop imprisonment for debt. His efforts to improve the conditions of prisoners eventually influenced parliamentary reforms of the penal system.

About this title

Book Description:

Written by philanthropist James Neild (1744-1814), this thorough survey of prisons in England exposes the harsh living conditions of those imprisoned for debt. The book was published in 1812 as part of Neild's campaign to improve the conditions of prisoners and end imprisonment as a punishment for debt.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1108036996
• ISBN 13: 9781108036993
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 720