Rules - A prison 200 years ago

In Britain in the 18th century, people were often sent to prison if they had debts, However, even though they were there because they were in debt, they _____ pay for everything while they were in prison!

If they had some money, they _____ use the prison restaurant

..., and they _____ wear the heavy metal chains that other prisoners wore

Some better off prisoners _____ live outside the prison

..., and they _____ get married and even work, this meant they could earn money to repay their debts and eventually leave prison.

Most prisoners, however, had no money. Even if they paid their original debt, they _____ leave until they had paid for staying in prison. Some prisoners spent years and years in prison and many starved to death. Men often brought their families into prison with them.

Their children _____ work just to keep their family alive.

The English novelist Charles Dickens _____ leave school at the age of 12 for this reason.

His father was in prison for a debt to a baker and the young Dickens ____ get a job in a factory to help support his family. Debtors prisons were not abolished until 1868