Victorian workhouses were places where the poor and destitute were sent to work for their basic needs.
The workhouses were intended to be a deterrent for poverty, but they often turned into a place of imprisonment for the poor.
The living conditions in workhouses were extremely bleak, with overcrowding and poor sanitation.
Men, women, and children were separated and forced to work long hours doing hard manual labor.
The food in workhouses was meager and of low quality, leading to malnutrition and illness.
Punishments were common in workhouses, and inmates could be locked in "punishment cells" for days at a time.
Workhouse staff were often poorly trained and had little compassion for the inmates.
Families were separated upon entry into the workhouse, and children were often sent to separate institutions.
The workhouse system was not abolished until the early 20th century, despite widespread criticism.
The harsh conditions of Victorian workhouses were a major inspiration for the social and political reforms of the time.