An Account of the Rise, Progress, and Present State, of the Society for the Discharge and Relief of Persons Imprisoned for Small Debts Throughout England and Wales (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

James Neild

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0331309386 ISBN 13: 9780331309386

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2020

Synopsis

A historical look at a humanitarian effort that saved families and changed the fate of small‑debt prisoners.

This nonfiction work traces the rise of a charity dedicated to discharging and relieving people jailed for small debts across England and Wales. It covers the movement’s origins, methods, and the real impact on prisoners, their spouses, and children.

From its 18th‑century beginnings to its detailed records in the 1800s, the book explains how volunteers visited prisons, negotiated compositions, and sought broader reforms. It presents the human stories behind the numbers, including the relief given to thousands and the wider social and economic effects of freeing laborers, seamen, and artisans who had been cut off from work.

• How a sermon and a handful of donors sparked a nationwide relief effort
• The scale of release, the costs involved, and the families helped
• How the society evaluated cases and pursued fair, humane solutions
• The broader implications for charity, law, and society in England and Wales

Ideal for readers interested in social reform, legal history, and the practical work of 18th‑ and 19th‑century philanthropy.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0331309386
• ISBN 13: 9780331309386
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 373