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Coldbath Fields Prison
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Coldbath Fields Prison
The tailors and shoemakers room at Coldbath Fields Prison (also known as Clerkenwell Gaol) in London, circa 1850. Prisoners not sentenced to hard labour are given the choice between picking oakum or working at a trade. Published in The Criminal Prisons of London, a compilation of articles entitled The Great World of London by Henry Mayhew, pub. 1862. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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Hulton Archive
Media ID 18081655
© 2010 Getty Images
Craft Diry 16790 Tailor Working Cobbler
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back in time to the mid-19th century, offering a glimpse into the daily life of Coldbath Fields Prison, also known as Clerkenwell Gaol, in London. The image showcases the tailors and shoemakers room within this historic correctional facility. In this scene from around 1850, we witness prisoners who have not been sentenced to hard labor engaging in meaningful work. They are presented with a choice between picking oakum or honing their skills in a trade. Here, we see individuals diligently immersed in their crafts - cobblers meticulously repairing shoes while tailors skillfully stitch garments together. The photograph is part of "The Criminal Prisons of London" an enlightening compilation by Henry Mayhew published in 1862. Mayhew's collection sheds light on various aspects of life within these prisons during that era. Through this snapshot frozen in time, we gain insight into the rehabilitative efforts undertaken at Coldbath Fields Prison. By providing inmates with opportunities to learn valuable trades like cobbling and tailoring, authorities aimed to equip them with practical skills for reintegration into society upon release. This remarkable piece from Hulton Archive allows us to reflect on the history of criminal justice and offers a reminder that even behind prison walls, human creativity and craftsmanship can flourish amidst challenging circumstances.
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