Rules and punishments

Rules

All workhouses had strict rules, which were usually displayed on the walls, and also read aloud each week, so that being unable to read was no excuse.

The Poor Law Commissioners issued regulations, and in 1847 a Consolidated General order included some 233 separate 'articles' for governing workhouses.

These included items like the prohibition of smoking, and authorised the Master to confiscate playing cards, dice, and any other means of playing at 'games of chance', as well as the frequency of compulsory bathing.

Regulations and Orders to be observed in the Workhouse of the Abingdon Union

Rule XXVI Any pauper who shall neglect to observe such of the Rules of the Workhouse applicable to them

Or who makes any noise when silence is ordered

Or use profane or obscene language

Or by word or deed insult or revile any other pauper in the workhouse

Or who shall not duly cleanse his or her person

Or shall refuse or neglect to work

Or shall pretend sickness

Or who shall wilfully waste or spoil any provisions, or stock, or tools, or materials for work.

Or wilfully damage any Property whatsoever belonging to the Union

Or disobey any of the legal orders of the Master or matron or other superintendent;

shall be deemed DISORDERLY and shall be placed in an apartment provided for such offenders, or shall otherwise be distinguished in dress and placed upon such diet as the Board of Guardians shall prescribe.

Rule XXVII Any pauper who shall, within seven days, repeat one of the offences specified

Or commit a second of the offences specified in Rule XXVI

Or who shall by word or deed insult or revile the master or matron or any officer of the Union

Or who shall be guilty of any act of drunkenness or indecency

shall be deemed to be REFRACTORY and shall be punished by such confinement and alteration of diet as the Board of Guardians shall direct but no pauper shall be confined under this rule for misbehavior or offence for longer than twenty-four hours or longer if necessary for the pauper to be carried before a Justice of the Peace to be dealt with according to the Law.

Punishments

There were two types of offences with different punishments.

Disorderly behaviour included making a noise, swearing, disobeying orders or refusing to wash. These would be punished with a poor diet of bread and potatoes or removal of ‘luxuries’ such as margarine, tea, sugar or broth for up to 48 hours.

Examples (from various sources):

• George Mintern - Fighting in school - No cheese for a week

• John Johnson - Refusing to work - Cheese and tea stopped for supper, no breakfast

• Mary Greenham & Priscilla Payne - Quarrelling and fighting - No meat for one week

• Joseph Taylor - Neglecting his work and swearing - No cheese, gruel or soup for one day

Refractory behaviour included damaging property, being drunk, assault, and disturbing prayers or worship. These offences would be punished with solitary confinement for up to 24 hours. Serious cases could be prosecuted.

Examples (from various sources):

• Joseph Green - Cursing and fighting with smaller boys - 1 hour locked up

• Margret Morgan - Stealing the school-mistress's gloves - 2 hours locked up

• Sarah Rowe - Being noisy and swearing - 24 hours locked up on bread and water

• Isaac Hallett - Breaking a window - Sent to prison for 2 months