VICTORIAN COURT & PRISON

Why did children turn to crime?

The information recorded there gives us some very useful clues. But some questions remain unanswered:

Isabella Petry was 14 when she stole some sheets. She had been born in Scotland and worked as a servant. She had scars on both her arms.

Key questions for you to think about (or, if you are in a group, discuss):

• Why had she stolen the sheets?
• Why steal something so basic?
• What do you think had happened to her to leave the girl scarred on both arms?
• Why had she left Scotland?

John Parker was 15 when he stole some cotton waste. He had been born in Nottingham and worked as a porter. He had a scar on his left wrist and another under the left side of his chin.

• Key questions for you to think about (or, if you are in a group, discuss):
• Why had he stolen cotton waste?
• What had happened to John to leave him scarred on his left wrist and under his chin?

• Why had they risked being punished so harshly for so little gain?
• What had driven them to take such desperate steps?

Children from Bosworth School answer the questions