April 19 – A Woman Brings Reform
In the 1800s, England’s prisons were abhorrent! The children of imprisoned families ended up in the same conditions, living with their mothers in filth and with little to eat. While there had been several attempts to change things, not much happened. That is, not much happened until a woman came along and decided to make change happen.
Elizabeth Fry came from wealth. Both of her parents came from banking families and she ended up marrying another man from a wealthy banking family. She had eleven children and during this time became involved with the Quaker church in England, growing in her faith and beginning to question how life could be so difficult for others less fortunate. She collected clothing and items for the poor, began Sunday Schools for children and cared for the sick that lived in her area.
In 1814, she visited a jail near London and was floored by what she saw. She returned, bringing clothes for the children and food for everyone. Most of the women that were in prison at the time were there because of poverty and debt, many times brought on by their husbands who had either died or run out on them. The prisons were overcrowded.
She began organizing groups to bring relief to the prisons, reading the Bible to the women there, teaching them to sew and working with their children. Because of her connections, people in London began to pay attention and support her in her efforts. She then targeted areas outside of the city and in 1821 established the British Society for Promoting Reformation of Female Prisoners. Along with Thomas Buxton, she began approaching the government to work towards reform of the prison system. Finally, Robert Peel, the Home Secretary, pushed through the Prison Act of 1823, limiting the number of death penalty offenses to 500 and began cleaning up the prisons.
Just as a side note, Robert Peel established the police force and they were named ‘bobbies’ because of his nickname.
Elizabeth Fry also established a night time homeless shelter and a Visiting Society, which put people into the homes of the poor and sick, caring for them. In 1840 she opened a nurse’s training school, which then became the inspiration for Florence Nightingale.
The impact that she made on England because of her faith continues to be felt. She is honored by many groups and is depicted on 5 pound notes in honor of her work in the prisons.
In the 1800s, England’s prisons were abhorrent! The children of imprisoned families ended up in the same conditions, living with their mothers in filth and with little to eat. While there had been several attempts to change things, not much happened. That is, not much happened until a woman came along and decided to make change happen.
Elizabeth Fry came from wealth. Both of her parents came from banking families and she ended up marrying another man from a wealthy banking family. She had eleven children and during this time became involved with the Quaker church in England, growing in her faith and beginning to question how life could be so difficult for others less fortunate. She collected clothing and items for the poor, began Sunday Schools for children and cared for the sick that lived in her area.
In 1814, she visited a jail near London and was floored by what she saw. She returned, bringing clothes for the children and food for everyone. Most of the women that were in prison at the time were there because of poverty and debt, many times brought on by their husbands who had either died or run out on them. The prisons were overcrowded.
She began organizing groups to bring relief to the prisons, reading the Bible to the women there, teaching them to sew and working with their children. Because of her connections, people in London began to pay attention and support her in her efforts. She then targeted areas outside of the city and in 1821 established the British Society for Promoting Reformation of Female Prisoners. Along with Thomas Buxton, she began approaching the government to work towards reform of the prison system. Finally, Robert Peel, the Home Secretary, pushed through the Prison Act of 1823, limiting the number of death penalty offenses to 500 and began cleaning up the prisons.
Just as a side note, Robert Peel established the police force and they were named ‘bobbies’ because of his nickname.
Elizabeth Fry also established a night time homeless shelter and a Visiting Society, which put people into the homes of the poor and sick, caring for them. In 1840 she opened a nurse’s training school, which then became the inspiration for Florence Nightingale.
The impact that she made on England because of her faith continues to be felt. She is honored by many groups and is depicted on 5 pound notes in honor of her work in the prisons.
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