The next thing was to obtain a sufficiency of work, and at the same time funds to purchase materials.  At first, the most imperative necessity existed for clothing.  For a long time the most ample help came from Mrs. Fry’s own family circle, although many others contributed various sums.  Indeed, the Sheriffs of London on one occasion made a grant of L80 towards these objects, showing thus that, although punitive measures were more in their way, they were really glad to uphold the hands of anybody who would deal with the vexed problems which such hordes of criminals presented.

After the criminals themselves were clothed, their work went to provide garments for the convicts at Botany Bay.  Some tradesmen to whom Mrs. Fry applied, willingly resigned these branches of their trade, in order to afford the opportunity of turning the women’s industry to account.  This was a decided step gained, as the Corporation then learnt how to make the prisoners’ labors profitable, and at the same time to avert the mischiefs of vicious idleness.

The ladies tried the school for a month quietly, and found it so successful that they determined to lay a representation before the Sheriffs, asking that this newly-formed agency should be taken under the wing of the Corporation.  They wisely considered that the efficiency and continuance of this part of their scheme would be better ensured if it were made part and parcel of the City prison system, than by leaving it to the fluctuating support and management of private benevolence.

In reply to this petition and representation, an answer was received appointing a meeting with the ladies at Newgate.  The meeting took place, and a session was held according to the usual rules.  The visiting officials were struck with surprise at the altered demeanor of the inhabitants of this hitherto styled “hell upon earth,” and were ready to grant what Mrs. Fry chose to ask.  The whole plan, both school and manufactory, was adopted as part of the prison system; a cell was granted to the ladies for punishment of refractory prisoners, together with power to confine them therein for short intervals; part of the matron’s salary was promised out of the City funds, and benedictions and praises were lavished on the ladies.  This assistance in the matter of a matron was a decided help, as, prior to her appointment, some of the ladies spent much of each day in the wards personally superintending operations.  So determined were they to win success, that they even remained during meal times, eating a little refreshment which they brought with them.  After this appointment, one or two ladies visited the prison for some time, daily, spending more or less time there in order to superintend and direct.  Some months after this a system of work was devised for the “untried side,” but for various reasons, the success in that department of Newgate was not as marked.  It was found that as long as prisoners indulged any hope of discharge, they were more careless about learning industrious and orderly habits.