The Long-Term Imprisonment of Women: Penal servitude and release of female offenders serving long sentences, 1853-1900

Johnston, Helen

Abstract

This article explores the experiences and impact of long-term imprisonment on the lives of women sentenced to lengthy periods of incarceration (serving at least one sentence of ten-years or more) in the mid to late nineteenth century in England and Wales. Whilst most female offenders who were thought to warrant imprisonment in the Victorian period resulted then and today, in short prison sentences, this article focuses upon a smaller group of 41 women, who were subject to longer terms of penal servitude for serious or recidivist offending. This group were a combination of repeat property offenders, whose sentences got longer as they were multiply reconvicted, and those women committed under a long sentence for one serious act, usually of violence. Using ‘whole life’ history methodology this article explores the offending and impact of imprisonment on these women’s lives, their experiences inside prison, and where possible their lives after release.

Citation

Johnston, H. (online). The Long-Term Imprisonment of Women: Penal servitude and release of female offenders serving long sentences, 1853-1900. Criminology & criminal Justice, https://doi.org/10.1177/17488958241298502

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 18, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 13, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 29, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 15, 2024
• Journal: Criminology & Criminal Justice: An International Journal
• Print ISSN: 1748-8958
• Electronic ISSN: 1748-8966
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17488958241298502
• Keywords: Long-term imprisonment; Penal servitude; Release from prison; Victorian England; Women
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4872639