contracted by the unfortunate inmates of our gaols, which can never afterwards be removed. I believe it has sometimes happened that poor creatures committed to prison for trial, have left the place of their confinement, acquitted of crime, and yet crippled for life.”
From the same volume we find that Government had then inaugurated a wiser, kinder system of dealing with the female convicts destined for the colonies. By the new regulations, females were allowed to take out with them all children under the age of seven years; while a mother suckling an infant was not compelled to leave England until the child was old enough to be weaned. Again, the convicts were not to be manacled in any way during their removal from the prison to the convict-ship; “but as the rule is often infringed, it is desirable that ladies of the Committee should be vigilant on the subject, and should represent all cases to the governor of the prison, and afterwards, if needful, to the visiting magistrates.” Further, the Government, or the boroughs, had to provide the transports with needful clothing for the voyage; and, at the end of it, the surgeon's or matron's certificate of good behaviour was sufficient to ensure employment for most of the women. Altogether it seems certain that a new era for prisons had dawned, and new ideas prevailed in regard to them. How much Mrs. Fry’s labours had contributed to this state of things will never be fully known; but her work was almost accomplished.
This little book, which is a perfect Vade Mecum of prison management, was written in the interest of lady visitors, and for their use. It is still interesting, as showing Mrs. Fry’s own mode of procedure, and the principles upon which she acted. The few quotations given in this chapter will, however, suffice for the
