Those who came before us: inspiring prison reform at The Old Bailey

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In my new office as Sheriff of the City of London I have been getting used to my new surroundings at the Old Bailey, and amongst the many impressive features I was inspired to learn more about the English prison reformer, Elizabeth Fry, whose statue stands proudly in the Grand Hall.

In my new office as Sheriff of the City of London I have been getting used to my new surroundings of the Central Criminal Court, better known as the Old Bailey.

One of the more prominent features of this impressive building is the Grand Hall - accessed by an impressive set of marble stairs, and featuring a spectacular central dome, intricate murals depicting themes of justice, and sculptures. Unique amongst them however, is a statue of the English prison reformer, social reformer, philanthropist and Quaker, Elizabeth Fry.

It's unusual because it is the only statue of a living woman at The Old Bailey, which was a unique honour in 1914 when it was placed in situ. No doubt, it was notable as well as it was on the site of the former Newgate Prison, where Fry began her prison reform work around 1813.

This prompted me to do a bit of investigation. As is the modern way, I asked AI to give my 500 words on Elizabeth Fry, who she was, and what she did. This is what it came up with:

What AI says about Elizabeth Fry

Elizabeth Fry’s profound faith in Jesus deeply shaped her life’s work, driving her to become one of the most influential prison reformers in history. Born into a wealthy Quaker family in Norwich in 1780, Fry’s early years exposed her to Quaker teachings that emphasised the “light of Christ” in every person, regardless of their social or moral standing. This radical belief in universal equality profoundly influenced her commitment to justice and compassion for society’s most marginalised, especially women prisoners.

Fry’s transformative experience came at age 18, when she listened to American Quaker William Savery preach about Christ and the kingdom of God. Moved by this message, Fry dedicated her life to following Christ and sought ways to live out her faith through practical action. She later described how she prayed each morning, asking, “Lord, how can I bring You glory today?” This prayer became the anchor for her lifelong mission.

Her calling became clear during her first visit in 1813 to Newgate Prison, where she witnessed squalor, overcrowding, and despair among hundreds of women and children. Instead of responding with judgment, Fry’s approach mirrored the mercy and hope found in Jesus’ teachings. She offered not condemnation but unconditional compassion, seeing even in the most hardened prisoners “sparks of nearly extinguished spiritual fire which might yet be ‘fanned into a flame’” by the love of God.

Fry’s faith guided her toward practical reforms rooted in Christian ideals. Believing that repentance and hope were possible for all, she began by reading the Bible to prisoners and teaching them essential literacy skills. She organised productive activities such as sewing and knitting, giving inmates dignity, discipline, and the chance to earn a livelihood—mirroring the Christian call to restoration and renewal, rather than punishment alone. Her advocacy for women officers and moral oversight in prisons was inspired by her conviction that all people deserve respect and the opportunity for transformation.

Quaker beliefs, particularly the emphasis on the inner light and peace, reinforced Fry’s commitment to nonjudgmental outreach and reform. She became renowned for “acting in the spirit not of judgment, but of mercy,” visiting prisoners not only in England, but on convict ships and in jails abroad, always sharing prayers, Scriptures, and comfort.

Fry’s faith in Jesus gave her courage, resilience, and vision. She often faced opposition from authorities and critics—some accused her of abandoning her family or meddling in men’s affairs. Nevertheless, she persevered, propelled by her conviction that her Christian vocation called her to “become God’s hands and feet to the weak and vulnerable”. To Fry, true justice was inseparable from mercy and the transforming power of the Gospel.

Elizabeth Fry’s legacy—pioneering prison reform, advocating for education, and working to improve the lives of countless marginalised people—remains inseparable from her devotion to Christ. Her life stands as compelling testimony that it was her faith in Jesus that continually inspired her to seek justice, show compassion, and believe in the possibility of redemption for all.

Our contribution to justice for all

It’s an interesting and inspiring story, achieving the presumed purpose of the artworks within The Old Bailey, which is ultimately to inspire us to contribute to the betterment of society in our own ways.

In a modest way, I hope I can add my own contribution to that aspirational goal over the course of this year. One of the ways I hope to do that is with the Justice for All Series, which begins with a launch event at The Old Bailey on 30th October.

For those who are unaware, this will shine a spotlight on The City's role in upholding and improving our approach to justice for the accused, justice for survivors, and justice for prison leavers. It will start by exploring the key areas of contemporary justice, framed around the anniversaries of Magna Carta (1225) and UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.

All are welcome to register, and I hope it will be an event worthy of sitting under the gaze of Elizabeth Fry's statue.

Register for the Justice for All Series