Fry, Elizabeth Gurney, 1780-1845; Prison reformers -- Biography
The chief work of the society, however, lay in providing homes for
discharged female criminals. In 1824, "Homes" or "Shelters" were opened
at Dublin, Liverpool, and many other places in England, Scotland, and
the Continent. Tothill Fields Asylum, a small home for some of the most
hopeful of the discharged prisoners, was opened at Westminster. Miss
Neave, a charitable Christian lady, was fired with some of Mrs. Fry's
enthusiasm, and devoted both time and money to the carrying out of the
project. She relates that the idea first entered her mind when out
driving one morning with Mrs. Fry. That lady, speaking of her work,
said, in somewhat saddened tones: "Often have I known the career of a
promising young woman, charged with a first offence, to end in a
condemned cell. Were there but a refuge for the young offender, my work
would be less painful." As the result, Tothill Fields Asylum was opened,
with four inmates. Very soon, nine were accommodated, and within a few
years, under the new name of "The Royal Manor Hall Asylum," it sheltered
fifty women of different ages.
Another class of discharged prisoners, viz., little girls, were also
provided for by this society. To these were added destitute girls, who
had not yet found their way into prison; and the whole number were
placed under judicious training in a "School for Discipline," at
Chelsea. This institution became most successful in training these
children up in orderly and respectable habits. At one time Mrs. Fry
endeavored to get this home under Government rule, but Sir Robert Peel
considered that the ends of humanity would be better served by keeping
it under the control of, and supported by, private individuals.
A temporary stay at Brighton suggested the formation of the District
Visiting Society. This aimed, not at indiscriminate alms-giving, but at
"the encouragement of industry and frugality among the poor by visits at
their own habitations; the relief of real distress, whether arising from
sickness or other causes, and the prevention of mendicity and
imposture." Visitors were appointed, who went from house to house among
the poor, encouraging habits of thrift and cleanliness; whilst a savings
bank received deposits, and trained these same poor to save for the
inevitable "rainy day."
Probably one of the most extensive works of benevolence and good-will
carried on to success by Mrs. Fry, next to her prison labors, was the
establishment of libraries for the men of the Coast Guard Service. This
arose from a circumstance which occurred during the sojourn at Brighton,
for the benefit of her somewhat shattered health, in 1824.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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