A workhouse was a public institution in 19th-century England designed to provide housing and employment for the poor and destitute. People who could not support themselves, often due to unemployment or illness, were admitted to these facilities. In exchange for food and shelter, residents were required to work, typically in labor-intensive jobs like sewing, farming, or breaking stones. The workhouse system aimed to deter people from seeking assistance unless absolutely necessary, as conditions were often harsh. The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 reformed the workhouse system, leading to the establishment of more structured facilities across the country.