Role Of Crime In Victorian Era

A Victorian criminal had to have grit to not only pull off their crimes, but also deal with the consequences of getting caught. In a time where the police force was only just being created, there were over two hundred crimes punishable by death, and the prison system isolated you from civilization completely, it’s easy to say that living a life of crime was not necessarily thrilling, but a path that could lead directly to the gallows. Crime undeniably shaped the way Victorian culture is viewed because of the actions taken in retaliation to those crimes and the punishments administered to those committing them. The role of a criminal was not an easy one to fill. Crime was a significant aspect of Victorian culture because of its typical crimes, the justice system, and the punishments. Typical crimes from the Victorian Era were often similar to those of today, but still contrast in order to fit Victorian culture. A lot of the typical crimes committed …show more content…
For example, although it was a strict rule that all prisoners had to wear the standard prison clothing and follow the same protocol, prisoners of the upper class could keep their own clothes and possessions while being retained. Going further, they were allowed to pay for a nicer prison cell with luxuries like better food, furniture, or a wash basin (Oleksy). This was unfair treatment because people of lower classes had to remain with the usual, awful living standards of prison. If someone has more money, they can cushion their sentence while others are suffering through their own. To add on, sometimes family and friends of the prisoners would pay the guards to provide them with extra food, newspapers, or tobacco. Some would even allow the prisoners to speak amongst themselves which, according to the previously mentioned system, was