Built in 1878, the Gordon Road Workhouse served as one of the largest poorhouses in England during the Victorian era. Able to house about 700 inmates, the workhouse put people to hard labor, including building the workhouse itself, wood chopping, stone breaking, and laundry (Londonist). Workhouses such as these were known to overwork their inmates, many times to their death, as a result of being unable to pay their debt. Men and women alike were housed in workhouses. In the Gordon Road Workhouse, records state that 734 inmates were sharing approximately 500 beds, were not fed consistent nor nutritious foods, and many died whilst working or were sent to the nearby sickhouse to die because of sickness developed. This abuse was not uncommon in all workhouses found throughout London, England (London Metropolitan Archives). 

This prevalent concept during the Victorian era developed the fear and criticism found within novels of the time, such as Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities. The effects of the profitable colonial era and mercantilism are what instilled the Poor Laws in the seventeenth century England. This new source of profit and capital caused the working class of England to emerge, and receive abuse along the way. Citizens were fearful of being in debt and sent to a workhouse, as it not only meant to be away from their family and unable to support them, but also a chance of death while in debter's prison. 

"London's Forgotton Workhouses." Londonist, https://londonist.com/2014/04/punished-for-being-poor-londons-forgotten-...

"Gordon Road Workhouses." London Metropolitan Archives Collections Catalogue, http://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/LMA_OPAC/web_detail/REF...