During the 18th and 19th centuries, England had a few issues with overcrowding in their prison system and set about ways to rectify the problem. Among a number of inventive practices, of which deportation to the colonies was a favourite, the idea of coverting old ships to floating jails became fashionable. This was a period in which the concept of crime and punishment was being explored. A popular topic of conversation among the highly educated, dramatic changes were starting to occur as it became evident that imprisonment was as much a punishment in itself as flogging, banishment, torture or any of the ways criminals were dealt with in the past. Jeremy Bentham, a prominent British philosopher developed the concept of the Panopticon , a new type of prison in which inmates would be housed in separate booths, unable to see each other, but under constant supervision by prison staff. Hulks were a response to this new form punishment as prisons became overcrowded. Their masts lopped o...
Yes, yes I do like your new look.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you approve. If anyone can tell me how to make the little stars in the sidebar work with my blogroll tool thing, I'd be exceeding pleased...
ReplyDeleteSorry, I think I preferred the old look.
ReplyDeleteThere's something about the white text on dark that makes my eyes go all blurry. And when the comment page pops up it's like someone's shone a really bright little keyring torch in my eyes.
Still, what do I know?
Yes. I see your point.
ReplyDeleteWho can tell where my templatey whim may take Itemisation next.