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The needle-room, Clerkenwell Prison, London, 1874
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The needle-room, Clerkenwell Prison, London, 1874
The needle-room, Clerkenwell Prison, London, 1874. Prisoners sewing mailbags, a common form of prison labour in British jails. A print from Sketches in the Clerkenwell House of Correction, The Illustrated London News, 17 January 1874
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Media ID 14952985
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Clerkenwell Crime And Punishment Hard Labour Hardship Imprisonment Islington Law And Order Mail Mail Bag Penitentiary Post Print Collector18 Prison Prisoner Punishment Metaphor Sewing
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back to the harsh realities of 19th-century prison life in London. The image depicts the needle-room at Clerkenwell Prison, where prisoners engage in hard labor by sewing mailbags. This common form of prison work was meant to instill discipline and punishment upon those who had committed crimes. The scene is filled with a sense of hardship and despair as men diligently stitch away, their faces etched with weariness and resignation. The room itself appears dimly lit, emphasizing the somber atmosphere that permeates throughout. Each stitch represents not only physical labor but also serves as a metaphor for the consequences of crime and imprisonment. In this Victorian-era engraving, we witness a snapshot of law and order within the walls of Clerkenwell House of Correction. It reminds us that even though these individuals are confined behind bars, they still play an essential role in society's communication system through their work on mailbags. As we gaze upon this powerful image, it prompts reflection on the concept of punishment and how societies have sought to maintain control over crime throughout history. It serves as a poignant reminder that every stroke made by these prisoners' hands carries both personal hardship and societal consequence - encapsulating an era defined by its strict enforcement of justice within penitentiaries like Clerkenwell Prison.
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