Debtor’s Prison
During the 18th and 19th centuries, English prisons were overrun with debtors. They made up about half of the prison population. Up to 10,000 people a year were put in prison due to unpaid debts. New prisons were built just for debtors. This practice also took place in America until about mid-19th century. It was common for a debtor to be put in cells with up to 15 other prisoners. They lived on bread and water, slept on the bare floor, and wore rags as clothing with no heat in winter, and no windows for fresh air in summer, disease was rampant. It was the creditors who brought charges against the debtor for nonpayment. Once in prison, it would be almost impossible to make any money in order to pay your debt, so someone could remain in prison for years if they didn’t have anyone to who could bail them out, and pay off their debt, so many died there.
