The State of Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales: Not for the Debtor Only, but for Felons Also, and Other Less Criminal Offenders

James Neild

doi:10.1017/CBO9781139095334

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.

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The State of Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales

Not for the Debtor Only, but for Felons Also, and Other Less Criminal Offenders

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi

Contents
pp vii-viii

Observations on Civil Imprisonment
pp ix-xix

Remarks on Courts of Conscience
pp xx-xxxi

Observations on Crimes and Punishments
pp xxxii-lix

General List of Prisons, distinguished in Alphabetical Order
pp lx-lxiv

State of Prisons in England, Scotland, and Wales: Pages 1-312
pp 1-312

State of Prisons in England, Scotland, and Wales: Pages 312-617
pp 312-617

Conclusion
pp 617-618

PORTSMOUTH AND LANGSTON HARBOURS
pp 619-633

STATEMENTS RESPECTING CRIMINALS
pp 634-643

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The State of Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales

Not for the Debtor Only, but for Felons Also, and Other Less Criminal Offenders

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