jan 1, 1823 - Gaols Act

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Elizabeth Fry had been campaigning for prison reform since 1813, and when Robert Peel became Home Secretary he campaigned in parliament in support of this, so the Gaols Act was passed.

It introduced:
- regular visits by prison chaplains
- payment of gaolers
- a ban on irons (chaining people up)
- female warders for female prisoners

However, the Act was often ignored, mainly because there were only five Inspectors (introduced 1835) and they had limited powers.

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