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Penal reform — Edexcel GCSE History Definition | GradeGen

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History
Key terms
Penal reform

GCSE History · key term

Penal reform

Definition

Changes to the laws and institutions used to punish offenders, such as reducing death sentences or improving prisons.

Used by Edexcel

How each exam board covers it

Edexcel GCSE History · 1HI0

Paper 1

Revise: Case Studies: Pentonville Prison and Robert Peel

Edexcel History past papers

Exam tips

1
Peel’s penal reform included both changes to capital offences and improvements to prisons. His policing reforms were a separate contribution to preventing crime.

Related key terms

Bloody Code
Capital offence
Deterrence
Metropolitan Police
Rehabilitation

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