The Prisoner’s Friend
Thomas Wright never earned more than a foreman’s wage, but he helped hundreds of prisoners back into society.
1838-1875
Queen Victoria 1837-1901
Thomas Wright never earned more than a foreman’s wage, but he helped hundreds of prisoners back into society.
1838-1875
Queen Victoria 1837-1901
Thomas Wright (1789-1875) was an ordinary Manchester workman who dedicated his life to helping former prisoners back into society, all on his own time and using his own money. Yet he never earned much over £150 a year, roughly £15,000 today.
WHEN Thomas Wright learnt that a fellow employee at the Manchester foundry where he worked was to be sacked just because he was an ex-convict, he offered his boss £20 as a guarantee of the man’s good behaviour. A reprieve was granted, but by the time Wright reached the man’s lodgings, bursting with the good news, the poor fellow had packed up and fled town.
The incident continued to trouble him, and around 1838 Wright began touring Manchester’s prisons in his few free hours (he worked from 5am to 6pm six days a week) using his own money and acting as a character reference to secure release and employment for prisoners.
Thomas’s work was soon recognised, but he declined a position as Inspector of Prisons at £800 a year, believing he worked better as a private citizen. In 1852, he did accept an annuity equivalent to his foreman’s wages,* and on that modest salary devoted all his time to helping hundreds of prisoners begin new lives, while bringing up his own family of nineteen children.
That is, £3 10s per week, or £157 10s per annum. The pound in 1852 was roughly equal to £100 today.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Why did Thomas offer his boss at the foundry £20?
So he would not sack an ex-prisoner.
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Thomas Wright helped former prisoners. Many employers would not hire them. He found them jobs.