The Victorian prison system emerged during the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century, focusing on reform and punishment. Prisons were designed to isolate inmates, with strict routines and hard labor. The aim was to deter crime and rehabilitate offenders through discipline and moral instruction. Key features of Victorian prisons included the separate system, where prisoners were kept apart to prevent corruption, and the silent system, which enforced silence among inmates. Notable prisons from this era include Pentonville Prison and Millbank Prison, both exemplifying the architectural and philosophical approaches to incarceration during this period.