Overview

During the 18th century many of those in prison were only there because they owed money

There was a pressing need by the middle of the 19th century for a nationally-organised police force

During the 1770s Parliament took much interest in John Howard's ideas about prison reform

London's Metropolitan Police, established in 1829, led to the establishment of local police forces elsewhere

Towards the end of the 18th century the rise in crime raised serious concern about the lack of a nationwide police force

Towards the end of the 19th century Parliament began to adopt new principles for the treatment of prisoners

In the 1820s and 1830s Parliament began to regulate prisons on a national basis