Sentences and Punishments

The Victorians were very worried about crime. Levels rose sharply towards the end of the 18th century and continued to rise through much of the 19th century. Offences went up from about 5,000 per year in 1800 to about 20,000 per year in 1840.

Although the Victorians firmly believed in punishing criminals, they faced a problem: what should the punishment be? One attempt to stop the growth of crime had been through making punishments severe (hanging or transportation). However, since the end of the 1700's, many people had become more and more angry at the number of people hanged for petty crimes.

By the time Queen Victoria came to the throne, fewer crimes carried a compulsory death sentence. There were fewer hangings, and sentences for petty crime were getting lighter. In their place other ideas were being tried out. These included building new gaols and looking at how these could be used to stop criminals from reoffending in the future. transportation was often used instead of hanging for more serious crimes.

Further pages Types of Punishment - Hanging Hanging was the most severe punishment for serious offences. It was a common punishment. Types of Punishment - Transportation and Penal Servitude The alternative to hanging was transportation, where convicted criminals were sent to the colonies to serve their sentence. Types of Punishment - Imprisonment The removal of a person's freedom has been used since ancient times as a punishment. However, until the late eighteenth century in England, it was unusual to imprison guilty people for long terms. Types of Punishment - Hard Labour The words ' Hard Labour' describes the punishment exactly. Prisoners were often used as the main work force in quarrying, building roads or labouring on the docks. Types of Punishment - Physical Punishment Most forms of physical punishment (stocks, pillory) had died out by this time and were seen as barbaric. However, the authorities still considered whipping to be a just and humane punishment. Types of Punishment - Sending to the Armed Forces In time of war it was often difficult to recruit people to the armed forces, especially to the navy, as people knew how hard the conditions were on board ship. Some prisoners were, therefore, sentenced to serve in the forces. Types of Punishment - Fines This was not in common use, as most people were very poor and would have been unable to pay.

Back to 19th Century Justice homepage