The Victorian debtor's prisons, and workhouse

The Victorian debtor’s prions and workhouse consist of people who did not fit in the society. People who were unable to support themselves got fed and housed by the institution, so called workhouse. People who were unable to pay off their debts ended up in the prison, debtor’s prisons. Most of the imprisoned debtors were male due to men's responsibility were to take care of the households' finances. In other occasions the children and wives had to join them if they were unable to support themselves. Unmarried wives, handicapped and older people lived in the workhouse. The inmates increased overtime, eventually the inmates got punishments. The punishment was to pay back to the creditor, an example of the punishment was to behave like a slave. The debtor's prisoners were not allowed to leave the prison unless they have paid the debts.

The prison was full of rats, fleas and lice. Also described as a filthy and dirty place due to the inmates got denied from food and water. The living conditions were horrible, one cell would consist of 20 people. There were both regular prisoners and debtor prisoners, the debtors had visiting rights. Depending on the prisoner's financial situation the conditions varied.

Inmates were considered as a lower class, typically the working group or blue-collar workers. Women that belonged in the higher class would wear material made by silk to show off their wealth. Women from the lower class wore plain clothes such as cotton. Women wore floor length clothes and girls below eighteen would wear a shortened skirt to be consider as a young lady. Men’s clothing was neat and basic costume, mostly dark color with lots of details. Boys wore either bright or dark color clothes. A tunic or jacket with matching breeches and a lace collar.

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens, 1857

Charles Dicken’s father John Dicken’s was imprisoned in Marshalsea debtor’s prison, he owned £40. The family joined John Dicken’s in the jail besides Charles Dickens. At the age of 12 Charles Dicken’s was working in a shoe factory, he worked 10 hours a day in 6 days to be able to support his family. Three months later John Dicken’s got released from the Marshalsea Prison, he received a gift from a relative which paid off his £40 debt. Charles Dicken’s could finally attend school again.

Develop character

Throughout my research the Marshalsea debtor’s prison is a horrific place. After doing some research about Little Dorrit written by Charles Dicken’s I immediately imagined a young depressed and destroyed 12 year old boy. After my research about Little Dorrit I decided to create a similar story. Instead of the whole family joining their father in prison I decided they would try to support themselves. The mother tried to support the family, but it was too difficult due to low income. She eventually started stealing food and got caught, this is where she joins her husband in the prison. The boy did not join the family in prison, he insisted. The reason is because of the isolation in the prison and disappointment after what his mother did.

The main character is the boy that went through a lot, it makes him exotic. I focused on the boys clothing (photo above) and I tried to copy it but make a few changes. Since this is a sketch I planned he would wear a dark colored jacket and a lace collar to present how he is as a character and the scene,. The character should look a bit mysterious, so I added the hat to cover his face. I decided to draw this scene to feel more empathy. The environment which is the prison, his face and body expression and his mother being taken to the debtor’s prison.

I started making a quick sketch on paper and made the finish sketch digitally on Photoshop.