Prison Life in Victorian England

By Michelle Higgs

Victorian prisons

Have you discovered your ancestor had a brush with the law? Or that he or she worked in an English prison? This book will give you a real insight into what daily life was like for prisoners, convicts and prison staff. It uses prison and court records, newspaper reports, contemporary accounts and photographs to bring this period of history to life.

The book is divided into four parts: Part 1 covers the background to the Victorian English prison system and sentencing; Part 2 describes life in prison including the daily routine, living conditions, diet and health, work and discipline; Part 3 is devoted to different kinds of prisoners and convicts; and Part 4 focuses on prison staff.

Well illustrated with 80 images, this book is a mine of information about daily life in the Victorian prison.