She is well known for her work in prison reform and was among the first people to insist that prisoners needed help rather than punishment. Elizabeth was horrified by the conditions for female prisoners at Newgate Prison and set about making improvements. Many of the female prisoners had their children with them in prison.
Although it was considered dangerous to go among the prisoners, Elizabeth visited them, found work for them, started schools for their children and insisted on better living conditions. Although prison reform was her chief work, Elizabeth was also concerned with the homeless in London. She was able to establish a ‘nightly shelter for the homeless’ where soup and bread as well as a bed were given to those who applied.
Elizabeth Fry
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