Debtor's prison

A debtor's prison is a prison for people unable to pay a debt to another. Prior to the mid 19th century debtor's prisons were a common way to deal with unpaid debt.

Debtor's prisons varied in the amount of freedom they allowed the debtor. With access to a little bit of money a debtor could pay for some reasonable freedoms. Some allowed conducting business and having visitors over various hours.

See also

• Debt bondage
• Marshalsea
• Poor Law

External links

• http://www.apva.org/apva/debtors_prison.php
• http://www.lancastercastle.com/debtors.htm