Debtors' prison

A debtors' prison is a prison for those who are unable to pay a debt. Prior to the mid 19th century debtors' prisons were a common way to deal with unpaid debt.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the Debtors Act of 1869 abolished imprisonment for debt, although debtors who had the means to pay their debt but did not do so, could still be incarcerated for up to six weeks.

Debtors' prisons varied in the amount of freedom they allowed the debtor. With a little money, a debtor could pay for some freedoms; some allowed inmates to conduct business and receive visitors; others (for example, the Fleet and King's Bench Prisons) even allowed inmates to live a short distance outside the prison - a practice known as the 'Liberty of the Rules' - and the Fleet even allowed clandestine 'Fleet Marriages'.

The father of English author Charles Dickens was sent to one of these prisons (Marshalsea Prison), which were often described in Dickens' novels.

Notable UK debtors' prisons

• Coldbath Fields Prison, London
• Fleet Prison, London
• Giltspur Street Compter, London
• King's Bench Prison, London
• Marshalsea Prison, London
• Poultry Compter, London
• Wood Street Counter, London

United States

In 1833 the United States eliminated the practice of imprisonment for debts at the federal level. Most states followed suit. It is still possible, however, to be incarcerated for debt; debts of fraud, child-support, alimony, or release fines can land a citizen in jail or prison, or prevent one’s release.

Prominent Americans who spent time in debtors' prison include inventor Charles Goodyear, and Robert Morris, a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence.

See also

• Debt bondage
• Poor Law
• Poorhouse
• Sponging-house
• Bankruptcy
• Georgia, USA, was originally settled by debtors.

External links

• http://www.apva.org/debtorsprison/
• http://www.lancastercastle.com/debtors.htm
• http://www.myvesta.org/history/history_debtorprison.htm