Fry, Elizabeth Gurney, 1780-1845; Prison reformers -- Biography
"3. They must depend on their friends for neither food nor clothing, but
have a sufficiency allowed them of both.
"4. That employment should be a part of their punishment, and be
provided for them by Government. The earnings of work to be partly laid
by, partly laid out in small extra indulgences, and, if enough, part to
go towards their support.
"5. To work and have their meals together, but sleep separate at night,
being classed, with monitors at the head of each class.
"Religious instruction. The kind attention we have had paid us.
"Great disadvantages arise from dependence upon the uncertainty and
fluctuations of the Sheriff's funds; neither soap nor clothing being
allowed without its aid, and the occasional help of charitable people."
Two extracts from the civic records prove how warmly the authorities
received these suggestions, and in what esteem they held Mrs. Fry and
her coadjutors.
SATURDAY, May 3, 1817.
Committee of Aldermen to consider all matters relating to the jails
of this city.
Present--The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, and several
Aldermen.
The Committee met agreeably to the resolutions of the 29th ult. at
the Keeper's House, Newgate, and proceeded from thence, attended by
the Sheriffs, to take a view of the jail at Newgate.
The Committee, on viewing that part of it appropriated to the
female prisoners, were attended by Mrs. Elizabeth Fry and several
other ladies, who explained to the Committee the steps they had
adopted to induce the female prisoners to work and to behave
themselves in a becoming and orderly manner; and several specimens
of their work being inspected, the Committee were highly gratified.
At another place is the following entry. After giving date of meeting,
and names of committee present, the minute goes on to say:--
The Committee met at the Mansion House and were attended by Mrs.
Elizabeth Fry and two other ladies, who were heard in respect of
their suggestions for the better government of the female prisoners
in Newgate.
Resolved unanimously: "That the thanks of this Committee be given
to Mrs. Fry and the other ladies who have so kindly exerted
themselves with a view to bettering the condition of the women
confined in the jail in Newgate, and that they be requested to
continue their exertions, which have hitherto been attended with
good effect."
Mrs. Fry's journals contain very few particulars relating to her work at
this precise time. It seemed most agreeable to her to work quietly and
unknown as far as the outside public was concerned. But a lady-worker
who was in the Association has left on record a manuscript journal from
which some extracts may fitly be given here, as they cast valuable light
on both the work and workers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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