NEN Gallery

John Howard was High Sheriff of Bedfordshire from 1773 until his death and a prison reformer. Although he wrote his reports in the 18th century, his work had a great influence on prison design and purpose in the 19th century. In the 18th century prisons were filthy, overcrowded and rife with diseases. All the prisoners were kept together. John Howard thought keeping prisoners in such conditions would not encourage them to change their ways. He made study prisons throughout Europe. He thought prisoners should have their own cell where they could contemplate the errors of their ways in private. That they should attend church and be given Christian teaching. Be provided with work to do and have fresh food and water. Newly built prisons in the 19th century were based on this design.