The chief work of the society, however, lay in providing homes for discharged female criminals.  In 1824, “Homes” or “Shelters” were opened at Dublin, Liverpool, and many other places in England, Scotland, and the Continent.  Tothill Fields Asylum, a small home for some of the most hopeful of the discharged prisoners, was opened at Westminster.  Miss Neave, a charitable Christian lady, was fired with some of Mrs. Fry’s enthusiasm, and devoted both time and money to the carrying out of the project.  She relates that the idea first entered her mind when out driving one morning with Mrs. Fry.  That lady, speaking of her work, said, in somewhat saddened tones:  “Often have I known the career of a promising young woman, charged with a first offence, to end in a condemned cell.  Were there but a refuge for the young offender, my work would be less painful.”  As the result, Tothill Fields Asylum was opened, with four inmates.  Very soon, nine were accommodated, and within a few years, under the new name of “The Royal Manor Hall Asylum,” it sheltered fifty women of different ages.

Another class of discharged prisoners, viz., little girls, were also provided for by this society.  To these were added destitute girls, who had not yet found their way into prison; and the whole number were placed under judicious training in a “School for Discipline,” at Chelsea.  This institution became most successful in training these children up in orderly and respectable habits.  At one time Mrs. Fry endeavored to get this home under Government rule, but Sir Robert Peel considered that the ends of humanity would be better served by keeping it under the control of, and supported by, private individuals.

A temporary stay at Brighton suggested the formation of the District Visiting Society.  This aimed, not at indiscriminate alms-giving, but at “the encouragement of industry and frugality among the poor by visits at their own habitations; the relief of real distress, whether arising from sickness or other causes, and the prevention of mendicity and imposture.”  Visitors were appointed, who went from house to house among the poor, encouraging habits of thrift and cleanliness; whilst a savings bank received deposits, and trained these same poor to save for the inevitable “rainy day.”

Probably one of the most extensive works of benevolence and good-will carried on to success by Mrs. Fry, next to her prison labors, was the establishment of libraries for the men of the Coast Guard Service.  This arose from a circumstance which occurred during the sojourn at Brighton, for the benefit of her somewhat shattered health, in 1824.