The Role of Sisterhood Penitentiaries in the Reclamation of FallenWomen in Nineteenth- Century Britain

Abstract

This article focuses on the role played by sisterhood penitentiaries in the rehabilitation of 'fallen women' in nineteenth-century Britain. Beginning with a brief outline of the disciplinary rules implemented by these remedial institutions, it moves on to investigate the backgrounds of the penitents, the relationship between the sisters and the penitentiary wardens, the 'advantages' reaped by the penitents during their penitentiary sojourn, the schemes of reformation followed by the sisters, their solidarity with the penitents across the conventions of class, sexuality and morality, and the criticism of the reclamation system by some leading female activists of the day. By probing into such issues, this paper offers fresh perspectives on the socio-cultural relevance of female-managed penitentiaries during the reign of Queen Victoria.