Pentonville Prison and the Development of the Prison System

This section explains the development of the prison system and the building of Pentonville Prison. Pentonville Prison, built in 1842 in London, became one of the most significant and influential penal institutions in Britain. Its design and methods were later used as a model for 90 new prisons built between 1842 and 1877. Pentonville was established to accommodate the growing number of prisoners, especially as Britain ceased transportation to Australia and the death penalty was being used less frequently. This shift marked the beginning of an era where prisons became central to the punishment and rehabilitation of criminals in Britain.

The Purpose of Pentonville Prison

Pentonville was not just designed as a place of confinement, but with a clear intention to deter and reform criminals. It was part of a broader effort to create a system of punishment that would both serve as a deterrent to crime and offer the opportunity for prisoners to reflect on their wrongdoings. At the same time, it was intended to show society that criminals were being punished in a strict and visible manner, thereby reinforcing public confidence in the justice system.

The prison’s design was based on the separate system, which was considered an innovative and effective method of controlling prisoners. This system sought to isolate inmates to prevent them from interacting with one another, which was thought to reduce the negative influence of hardened criminals on first-time offenders and encourage rehabilitation through solitary reflection.

The Separate System at Pentonville

At Pentonville, prisoners spent almost all of their time in isolation, confined to their individual cells for up to 23 hours a day. This method of solitary confinement was a hallmark of the separate system. The idea behind this system was that isolation would prevent the spread of criminal behaviour, give prisoners time to reflect on their crimes, and foster a sense of remorse and reform.

Every aspect of Pentonville’s design was tailored to maintain isolation. The thick walls of the prison prevented any physical contact between prisoners, and the cells themselves were designed to limit any potential communication. Prisoners were assigned repetitive, solitary work tasks, such as weaving or breaking rocks, which kept them focused on individual tasks without the opportunity for interaction.

Prisoners were allowed some time outside for exercise, but this was strictly controlled. They wore masks to prevent them from seeing one another and were required to hold onto a rope to prevent any communication. This stringent control over contact and communication was intended to ensure that no prisoner could influence another or develop friendships that might undermine their punishment and reform.

Criticism of the Separate System

While the separate system was hailed by its proponents as a method of rehabilitating prisoners, it was not without significant drawbacks. The most serious concern was the psychological impact of long-term solitary confinement. Many prisoners who were subjected to extended isolation suffered from severe mental health issues such as depression and psychosis. The lack of human interaction and the constant sense of isolation led to what became known as “prisoner’s madness,” with some inmates even dying by suicide.

Furthermore, the separate system was extremely costly to maintain. Each prisoner had to be housed in an individual cell, which meant the costs for building and maintaining the prison were high. Additionally, the system’s focus on isolation led to high levels of overcrowding as the prison population grew. While the separate system aimed to reform criminals, it also inadvertently caused severe suffering for many prisoners, undermining its intended rehabilitative purpose.

The Silent System: A Shift Towards Deterrence

In response to growing concerns about rising levels of violent crime and the perceived failure of the separate system to reform some offenders, a new approach to prison discipline was introduced in the late 19th century. By the 1860s, there was increasing demand for tougher conditions in prisons, particularly for those committing more serious crimes. Many believed that certain individuals could not be reformed and needed to be deterred from reoffending through stricter punishments.

This led to the introduction of the silent system as part of the 1865 Prisons Act. Under this new system, prisoners were subjected to even harsher conditions, and their focus was shifted from rehabilitation to punishment. The main features of the silent system included:

• Absolute Silence: Prisoners were required to remain silent at all times, even during work or exercise. Any attempt to speak would result in severe punishment, including whipping. This was intended to prevent prisoners from forming alliances or exchanging ideas that might foster criminal behaviour.
• Harsh Living Conditions: Prisoners were no longer allowed to sleep on hammocks or comfortable bedding. Instead, they were forced to sleep on hard wooden bunks, which were uncomfortable and unsanitary, contributing to the dehumanisation of the prison experience.
• Hard Labour: Prisoners were made to engage in pointless and repetitive labour, which had little or no productive value. Tasks such as turning a crank, walking on a giant treadmill, or unpicking old ropes were used as methods of punishment and as a way to break the spirit of the prisoners. These activities were meant to exhaust prisoners both physically and mentally.
• Poor Food and Living Conditions: Food in prisons was basic and monotonous, designed to sustain prisoners but without any comfort or luxury. Meals were often unappetising, and the general standard of living was deliberately low to reinforce the punitive nature of the silent system.

The introduction of the silent system marked a significant shift in the way prisons were viewed and operated. No longer seen as places for rehabilitation, prisons became institutions focused primarily on punishment and deterrence. The silent system was designed to break the will of the prisoners and make their incarceration as unpleasant as possible, with little regard for their potential for reform.

Conclusion

The development of Pentonville Prison and the introduction of the separate and silent systems represent key moments in the evolution of Britain’s prison system during the 19th century. While the separate system aimed to rehabilitate prisoners through isolation, it proved to have serious psychological consequences and was expensive to maintain. In contrast, the silent system introduced in the late 19th century focused more on deterring crime through harsher conditions and punishment. Both systems reflected the broader shift in attitudes towards crime and punishment in Victorian Britain, with an increasing emphasis on deterrence and punishment rather than rehabilitation and reform.