In 1824 a law was passed making it an offence to sleep rough or beg in the streets. Those who were unable to support themselves financially were offered accommodation and employment at the Workhouse. The able bodied poor were employed on tasks such as breaking stones for roads, crushing bones to produce fertiliser, or picking oakum.

Honiton Workhouse received around 120 homeless people a week and introduced a system at the cost of £600. Well ventilated cells were provided with a hammock and heating apparatus. The person was not allowed to leave his cell or have breakfast until he had performed his work which was usually sawing wood or breaking stones which he passed through grating to the outside of his cell.

Vagrants often appeared in the Court in Honiton. Most of them were charged with being drunk and disorderly and the punishments were harsh. Annie Murphy, from Cardiff had been travelling in England for 17 years. She was charged with smashing 24 panes of glass at Honiton Workhouse. She complained about the bed, the food and the ill treatment received there. She was sentenced to 21 days hard labour and she told the Judge that she would do it standing on her head.

In one day, an engineer, a fireman, two labourers, a porter, a fitter and a carpenter pleaded guilty to the charge of refusing to do their tasks at the Workhouse. They complained about the sleeping arrangements, insufficient clothing, and that they had to have a disinfectant cold bath. The Mayor pointed out that they could not expect luxurious accommodation provided by the ratepayers. All of them were sentenced to 21 days hard labour.

George Adams from Guernsey deliberately tore up his clothes and was sent to prison for 14 days. Eliza Tolson and James White from Leeds were arrested for begging in the High Street. She was sent to prison for seven days and he was discharged as he had only asked for water. Thomas Russell from Plymouth claimed to be destitute, but police found that he had 8d on him when he went into the workhouse. Bridport Sally fell asleep in a linhay in Ottery Moor Lane. P.C. Anstey woke her up, arrested her and she was sent to Exeter for one week.

In July 1941 Honiton and three other towns were the last to close their ‘casual’ wards in the Workhouse.