The 19th century saw the most dramatic changes in the history of crime and punishment. Three major developments transformed the system: the creation of a professional police force, the reform of punishments, and the building of the modern prison.
Robert Peel and the Metropolitan Police (1829)
In 1829, Home Secretary Robert Peel established the Metropolitan Police — the world's first professional police force. It was based in London's Scotland Yard and employed paid, uniformed officers (nicknamed "bobbies" or "peelers" after Peel). Key features:
- Officers wore distinctive blue uniforms (deliberately different from military red to seem less threatening)
- Recruited from working-class men — paid a regular wage
- Focused on prevention as well as detection
- Initially deeply unpopular — seen as government spying
The success of the Metropolitan Police led to the 1856 County and Borough Police Act, which required all areas of England and Wales to establish professional police forces.
The End of the Bloody Code
Between 1823 and 1837, reformers — particularly Samuel Romilly and Robert Peel — drove through legislation that removed the death penalty from over 100 offences. By the 1830s, hanging was effectively reserved for murder and treason. The last public hanging in Britain was in 1868. The death penalty was finally abolished in 1965.
Prison Reform: Pentonville and the Separate System
In the early 19th century, prisons were chaotic — men, women, and children mixed together; disease was rampant. Reformers, particularly John Howard (who died in prison inspecting conditions) and Elizabeth Fry (who campaigned for better conditions for women prisoners in Newgate), pushed for change.
Pentonville Prison, opened in 1842, was designed on the "separate system" — each prisoner was kept in solitary confinement to encourage reflection and repentance. Prisoners wore masks when out of their cells so they could not communicate. The theory was moral reformation through silence. In practice, it drove many prisoners insane.
This deep dive covers The 19th Century: Reform, Police, and Prisons within Crime and Punishment, c.1250-present for GCSE History. Revise Crime and Punishment, c.1250-present in Component Group 1 — Thematic Studies for GCSE History with 14 exam-style questions and 17 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 4 of 16 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Crime and Punishment, c.1250-present
Describe two features of law enforcement in medieval England.
Describe two features of punishments under the Bloody Code.