John Howard: Unterschied zwischen den Versionen

'''John Howard''' (2 Sept 1726 Lower Clapton, London - 20 Jan 1790 Kherson, RU/UKR). [http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/howard_john.shtml  John Howard] stands for prison research from below, comparable in his journey method to the later French social researcher and reformer [[Frédéric Le Play]]

[[Datei:John-Howard-prison-reformer2.jpg|500px|left| John Howard]]

After a spell of ill-health Howard started travelling abroad again and made several trips over the next few years. Eventually he settled back in Cardington and '''was appointed High Sheriff of Bedfordshire in 1773'''. When he discovered the condition of Bedford jail he was appalled by what he saw, and began to visit the jails of neighbouring counties to investigate their condition and management. He was particularly concerned to find that debtors, having paid their debt, were sent back to prison because they could not pay the fees that they owed the gaoler. Driven by curiosity he visited Bedford Gaol to see how it functioned. He found it “foul and fetid” but, as he would discover later, it was not as bad as some. He discovered that the gaoler was not paid but could charge fees. On the wall was a notice that said “All persons that come to this place ... must pay before discharg'd, fifteen shillings and fourpence, to the Gaoler.” Howard asked the justices if the gaoler could be paid a salary instead of relying on the prisoners for their income but they were reluctant to do this. He decided to find out what went on in other gaols starting with Cambridge where he arrived unannounced. He meticulously recorded all the details of the gaol. He must have felt that this was his life's vocation for he immediately set off for Huntingdon to inspect its gaol. This was the beginning of his relentless self-imposed schedule of gaol visits that would continue for the rest of his life.Left a rich man as a result of his father’s death, Howard bought an estate at Cardington, Bedfordshire, which he managed directly. He was an enlightened landlord, improving the labourers’ cottages and encouraging efficiency and order.