Complex sentence: It was designed as a mirror punishment for "scolds"--women whose speech was "riotous" or "troublesome"--by preventing them from speaking; however, it was also used as corporal punishment for other offences, notably on female workhouse inmates.
Split into simpler sentences: It was designed as a mirror punishment for "scolds"--women whose speech was "riotous" or "troublesome"--by preventing them from speaking. However it was also used as corporal punishment for other offences, notably on female workhouse inmates.