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Home » Law and Order » Other methods of punishment » Punishment devices

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  • This letter, dated 27 March 1835, was sent to the sitting magistrates at Caernarfon from Owen Owens, a prisoner at Caernarfon Goal. Owens makes an application for a new pair of shoes since he has worn out his present pair working 'on the tread mill'.
Letter from prisoner at Caernarfon Goal, 27 March 1835
  • This small four-sided wooden block was known as a 'silent monitor' and was used by Robert Owen as a means of imposing discipline at his New Lanark Mills. Robert Owen was strongly opposed to the use of corporal punishment, so in order to keep discipline at the New Lanark Mills, he devised his own unique system. The 'silent monitors' were hung next to each worker in the mills, with each side displaying a different colour. 'Bad' behaviour was represented by the colour black; 'indifferent' was represented by blue; 'good' by yellow; and 'excellent' by white. The superintendent was responsible for turning the monitors every day, according to how well or badly the worker had behaved. A daily note was then made of the conduct of the workers in the 'books of character' which were provided for each department in the mills.
'Silent monitor' used by Robert Owen to discipline workers at the New Lanark Cotton Mills, Scotland [image 1 of 2]
  • During the Napoleonic Wars from 1803 to 1814 a number of French and German prisoners were living in several towns in Montgomeryshire. In Llanfyllin, between 1812 and 1813 there were about 120 prisoners, while others were stationed in Montgomery, Newtown and Welshpool. This model of a guillotine was carved from mutton bones by French prisoners of war in Welshpool. Description: Powysland Museum & Montgomery Canal Centre
Model of Guillotine carved from mutton bones by French prisoners in Welshpool, c. 1803-14 (lengthways view) [image 1 of 2]
  • This scold's bridle was purchased at the opening of the Forden Workhouse in 1795 together with two pairs of socks and a strait-waistcoat. This implement would open at hinge points, the tab would be placed on the tongue and the whole implement would be closed down over the head. It would be used to punish disobedient female inmates, who would be confined to the implement for several hours, depending on the seriousness of their offence.
Scold's bridle from Forden workhouse, 1795 [image 1 of 2]
  • Tree in Norton churchyard, near Presteigne, equipped with pairs of wrist manacles or fetters. It is thought that these were used over many years to secure wrongdoers whilst they were being whipped. Photographed in 1959 by Eric King of Worcester.
A punishment tree in Norton churchyard
  • Tree in Norton churchyard, near Presteigne, equipped with pairs of wrist manacles or fetters. It is thought that these were used over many years to secure wrongdoers when they were being whipped. Photographed in 1959 by Eric King of Worcester.
A punishment tree in Norton churchyard