Who ran the workhouses and what did they provide?

Workhouses were typically run by local government authorities or boards of guardians, which were often composed of elected officials. They provided shelter, food, and basic care for the impoverished, especially those unable to support themselves due to factors like illness or unemployment. In exchange for these services, inmates were required to work, often under harsh conditions, as a means of discouraging reliance on public assistance. The overall aim was to provide relief while promoting self-sufficiency, albeit through a system that many found dehumanizing.