Irish research > Wicklow Jail (3)
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Wicklow's Historic Gaol
I toured Wicklow's Historic Gaol. At the height of the famine, the number of inmates rose to 780. People were stealing food to survive, and some committed crimes just get imprisoned and be guaranteed a meal. More serious offenders were exiled to Australia.
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hard labour
Depending on the crime, some inmates were sentenced to hard labour. They would be forced to climb this treadwheel. 48 steps a minute, for hours. Tony looks like he's having fun, but after an hour or two I bet he wouldn't be smiling anymore.
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Child Inmates
Check this out! This is a listing of child inmates in Wicklow Jail for 1846-1850. These are actual people , kids between 9 and 16 years of age, who were arrested during the famine years for stealing berries, firewood, or apples. Some got up to a month sentence with hard labour.
I knew then, Kit would have to commit a crime and go to jail.