But in 1723 Joe, it was a different UK. On Mudcat, there's possibly only Michael who could give you a first hand account.

By quoting legislation 300 years ago, all that does is show c21 UK (and the rest of the Western world with one large exception..) in sharp relief. Also, at that time gaols were for either awaiting judgement or awaiting execution or transportation. The idea of incarcerating for a period of time and subsequently releasing was a novel idea, usually used for the aristocracy , who rather than being given a fixed term were held "at his Majesty's pleasure." A term still used colloquially today to mean "in prison. "

After all, I spoke of civilised behaviour up the thread somewhere and one clown started rattling on about Bedlam proving me wrong! Why I don't know because The UK was barbaric too up till only 50 years ago. You don't need to go back so far. I suggest reading the debates that reached first the limitations and then the subsequent abolitions. I use the plural because perversely, treason, piracy and a couple of others stayed as an unused option till comparatively recently.