Discipline In Reform Schools and Prisons wad often very harsh. Reform schools for girls, since their introduction in the latter part of the nineteenth century, have been experiments in transforming wayward girls, judged incorrigible, truant, and especially, sexually promiscuous, into 'proper' young women. In the twentieth century
These girls' attempts to redefine themselves and resist their sentences were unusual, indeed remarkable, given the intensity and effectiveness of the legal and penal disciplinary regimes they were up against.
the severity with which 'talking back' was treated - including time in detention - indicates the emphasis put on polite feminine demeanor and obedience to authority in the school. Indeed, "sauciness and defiance" could lead to a strapping or paddling.

Canadian prisons used the strap in a rather more formal and 'British' manner than US prisons. Until around 1970 it was an official punishment for breaches of prison discipline in Canada, but prisons were also responsible for administering judicial c.p. ordered by courts as part of a sentence.
According to the Report of the Canadian Committee on Corrections (the "Ouimet Committee") of March 1969, between 1957 and 1967 the strap was used on 332 occasions in penitentiaries as a disciplinary measure, giving an average of 30 strappings per year: Here is a selection of The London Tanners Reformatory and prison Straps.
In an anti-CP article by the director of the John Howard Society. The caption reads: "The 'paddle' or strap used in Canadian penitentiaries ... is perforated, so that the soft flesh of a man's buttocks is drawn up and torn with each stroke. He usually can't take more than a few strokes at a time." Warden Allan of Kingston Penitentiary had a more innocent, aerodynamics-related explanation for the holes, to do with keeping the strap flat so that it did not turn and cut the prisoner.

Legend Mild-Moderate Moderate-Severe Severe

Authentic Canadian Prison Strap

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This is an authentic Canadian prison strap reproduced to the exact specifications of the Canadian prison authorities. It is made of very heavy 16 oz (5-6 mm) Imported British Harness and Bridle leather in Dark Havana Brown. It measures 25 inches by 3 including the 8 inch handle. which has five layers of 9 oz leather to build a reinforced rounded hand stitched handle. the blade is 16 inches long and over 3/8 ths of an inch thick with eight 1/4 inch holes.

This is a very severe and heavy thick strap for the serious collector only.
Available in Dark Havana Brown and Solid Black only.

Price: $ 129.95

Select Leather Color: Dark Havana Brown Solid Black

Arkansas Prison Strap

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This authentic replica is made of 12-14oz (4-5 mm ) Heavy imported British Harness Leather. It measures 26 inches in total length and is 3 inches wide, it has a 6 1/2 inch stiffened and laced handle with a 1inch D ring for hanging on display. At the end it has 8, 1/4 inch holes spaced evenly along the blade, all the edges are marked with a saddlers crease line, are fully beveled and finished.

Available in London Tan, Dark Havana Brown Rich Burgundy Red and Solid Black.  

Price: $ 69.95

Select Leather Color: London Tan Dark Havana Brown Solid Black Deep Burgundy Red

Reformatory Paddle

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This beautiful but wicked leather paddle is made of firm, heavy 12-14 oz ( 4-5 mm) imported British Harness Leather of the finest quality. The Paddle measures 20 x 3 inches including a 7 inch molded leather handle that is cross-laced at the back making for a very comfortable grip. The blade is 12 inches long with six 1/4 inch holes to deliver a little extra sting, It is approximately 1/4 inch thick. A paddle ideal for using with the culprit standing or bending over a bed, desk or chair. It is as comfortable for the top as it is uncomfortable for the bottom! Its size and weight make it the perfect deterrent for naughty boys and girls, especially when hung on its 3/4 inch nickel D ring for all to see. The edges are marked with a saddlers crease line and are fully beveled, burnished and finished.
 
Available in London Tan, Dark Havana Brown Rich Burgundy Red and Solid Black.  

Price: $ 54.95

Select Leather Color: London Tan Dark Havana Brown Solid Black Deep Burgundy Red

Reform School Triple Strap.

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This Type of strap is a replica of a unusual type used in some British reform schools from about 1930. It will deliver as much comfort for the disciplinarian, as discomfort for the recipient. This heavy Leather strap measures 1 & 1/2inches x 24inches in length. It's three (fanning effect) layers add up to a full 3/4 inch of the finest quality 12-14 oz (4-5mm) imported British Harness Leather with a rounded 6inch reinforced, hand saddle-stitched handle and having fully beveled, burnished and finished edges with a harness line around the top layer, Ideal for hanging on display. It will make an impressive asset to your collection as well as a reminder of days gone by (up until the early 50s) when the mere sight of it would strike terror in to hearts.

Available in London Tan, Dark Havana Brown Rich Burgundy Red and Solid Black.  

Price: $ 74.95

Select Leather Color: London Tan Dark Havana Brown Solid Black Deep Burgundy Red

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