The workhouse

Workhouse:

• the 'square plan' was devised by Sampson Kempthorn in 1835
• this could accommodate 300-500 inmates, but often overcrowding occurred
• he also designed the 200-Pauper for more rurual areas
• it was thought the workhouse should be based on an eligibility clause
• aimed to have an intimidating design and also to demoralise
• there were two designs released: cruciform and the y-plan
• this segregated families
• the cruciform was in the shape of a cross, there were four outdoor yards (men/women/girls/boys). Two floors and a master bedroom in the centre
• the y-plan had three yards (in the shape of a Y). Separated into men/women/children
• less than the cruciform
• paupers:
  - the ablebodied poor people went to work in a workhouse but in reality the people who went to the workhouse were sick/children/single women and poor
• the workhouses had basic schooling until aged 10
• the elderly were cared for until their death
• vagents came and left regularly but deloused on their way in
• more and more mental conditions increased.
• the young people…