3-065-600 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches in the Clerkenwell House of Correction: the oakum-shed, 1874. 'The large prison...in Coldbath-fields...is mostly occupied by prisoners under sentence of simple imprisonment with hard labour for short periods; but those condemned to penal servitude for two years are, in some cases, placed here for a time before their removal to the Government convict prisons of Milbank and Pentonville...There are two classes, with different kinds or degrees of hard labour. Those of the first class are kept to the treadwheel...Those of the second class are employed in oakum-picking, and in mat, brush, and basket making, or in shoemaking, tailoring, and other trades, if they are fit to learn such useful arts; besides washing and cleaning the premises...The work of picking oakum is rather painful to delicate fingers, but becomes easy after a few days...The prisoners are constantly watched, and are forbidden to speak a word to each other when assembled for work or dinner; even a detected glance or sign would be severely punished. Each person is locked up at night in a solitary cell'. Signs read: 'The Eyes of the Lord are in every place', and 'Be sure your sins will find you out'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.