Beginning of the Prison Reform  In 1831, French writer Alexis de Tocquevi!le had visited the United States to study its penitentiary system. While she was observing prisoners, she noticed most of them were physically punished or isolated for extended periods of time.  Alexis de Tocqueville also argued that while the citizens of America have extended freedom, these prisoners don’t have the same amount of freedom.

Dorthea Dix’s Input  Dorthea Dix agreed with the French writer and was compelled to join the social reform from a point of experience.  “I proceed, gentlemen, breifly to call your attention to the present state of insane persons con* fined within this Commonwealth Chained, naked, beaten with rods, and lashed into obedience! Injustice is also done to the convicts: it is certainly very wrong that they should be doomed day after day and night after night to listen to the ravings of madmen and madwomen.”

Dorthea Dix’s Input Cont.  Then she sent a report on her findings to Massachusetts legislature, who in turn passed a law aimed at improving conditions. Between 1845 and 1852, Dix persuaded nine Southern states to set up public hospitals for the mentally ill.  Prison reformers and Dorothea Dix, on behalf of the mentally ill, emphasized the idea of rehabilitation, treatment that might reform the sick or imprisoned person fix for society.

Pictures  This is a picture of Dorthea Dix, the person who led the prison reform.  This is a picture of how cruel the prison living in the 1800’s