Victorian Prisons in Dicken's Time

Most prisons in this time period were small and poorly run. Common punishments included transportation which was sending prisoners to America, Australia, or Tasmania. Another popular punishment was execution.

Prisons also held debtors who were kept there until they had their trial.

"He was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table;and advancing to the master basin and spoon in hand, and said: somewhat alarmed at his own temerity: "PLease sir, I want some more." (Dickens 39)