The Gaols Act 1823 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that provided for improvements in the treatment of prisoners in the United Kingdom.

Overview

The idea of prison reform was promoted in the early 19th century by Elizabeth Fry

Elizabeth Fry

Elizabeth Fry , née Gurney, was an English prison reformer, social reformer and, as a Quaker, a Christian philanthropist...

 and her brother Joseph John Gurney

Joseph John Gurney

Joseph John Gurney was a banker in Norwich, England and an evangelical Minister of the Religious Society of Friends , whose views and actions led, ultimately, to a schism among American Quakers.-Biography:...

. In particular, Fry was appalled at the conditions in the women's section of Newgate Prison

Newgate Prison

Newgate Prison was a prison in London, at the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey just inside the City of London. It was originally located at the site of a gate in the Roman London Wall. The gate/prison was rebuilt in the 12th century, and demolished in 1777...

. This act was introduced and supported by Home Secretary Robert Peel

Robert Peel

Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet was a British Conservative statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 December 1834 to 8 April 1835, and again from 30 August 1841 to 29 June 1846...

. It introduced regular visits to prisoners by chaplains. It provided for the payment of jailers, who had previously been paid out of fees that the prisoners themselves were required to pay. It prohibited the use of irons and manacles. It also required the installation of female wardens to guard female prisoners. The act was largely ineffective, because there were no inspectors to make sure that it was being followed.

The Prisons Act 1835 offered a remedy by providing for the appointment of five paid prison inspectors.