What living conditions did workers face at New Lanark before Robert Owen’s reforms?

Before Robert Owen implemented his reforms at New Lanark, the living conditions for the 2,000 inhabitants—which included 500 young children from poorhouses in Edinburgh and Glasgow—were harsh and considered intolerable.1

Specifically, the environment was characterized by the following issues:

• Social Decay: The prevailing conditions were demoralizing, which fostered crime and vice among the population.1
• Neglected Infrastructure: Both sanitation and education were largely ignored.1
• Poor Housing: The housing conditions provided for the workers were described as intolerable.1

While the former proprietor had treated the children well, these systemic issues created a difficult life for the workers until Owen introduced his programs focused on cleanliness, thrift, improved housing, and the establishment of the first infant school in Great Britain.1