3-077-823 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Centenary of John Howard, Prison Reformer: torture inflicted in Ely Prison in 1768, (1890). 'A A. Iron bars, nailed to floor, which entered the flesh; B B. Spikes 12 Inches long fixed to a collar of iron 7½ lbs. in weight, preventing a prisoner from resting his head on the ground; C. Chain which fastened the prisoner to the ground; D. Heavy iron bar crossing his legs and fastened to one, so preventing him changing his posture...As jailers were held responsible for the safe custody of their prisoners, they considered themselves justified in using any means to prevent their escape. Thus, in the prison belonging to the Bishop of Ely, which was much dilapidated, the jailers chained their prisoners by a spiked iron collar round the neck to the floor, making them lie on a floor covered with iron bars, which ate into their flesh; to a heavy iron bar, crossing their legs, each man was fastened by a ring. In 1768 an Ely magistrate, Mr. James Collyer, found certain prisoners who had been kept in this position for nearly a year'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.