The extended history of confinement to relieve poverty. The Hospicio general de pobres de Granada, 1753-1786

Abstract

As a result of Fernando VI foundation of Hospicio general de pobres de Granada one can study the causes and consequences of confinement. The segregation of the poor due to begging and charity was a means to making profitable the relief. Although this was in conflict with the existing catholic paradigm, in practice the catholic approach to relieve persisted both in terms of the local administrative behaviour as well as the people’s cultural valúes. However, the monarch ignored this local environment in the drafting of the Royal Decree of Hospicio. Consequently, this determined the specific adaptation of the Enlightenment program. In addition this prevented the expected change of attitude of the poor regarding the provisión of help. Few years later, a new Decree by Carlos III again set the legal foundation of the Hospicio in Granada. This clearly shows the failure of Fernando VI program. This illustrates how the causes of poverty had not been taken into account in the shaping of the confinement legislation by the powers. This also indicates how the program overlooked the human aspect of the poor whom were considered only as a social commodity, reflecting the prejudiced perception of those in power. In fact, the architectonic shape of the building reinforced the legal frame to the extent of moulding the lives of the residents, maintaining physical segregation of women and young girls, and men and young boys.