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Pentonville prison cell interior
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Pentonville prison cell interior
Pentonville prison in London: interior of cell with a hammock for sleeping. Date: 1843
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Media ID 14157464
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
1840s 1843 Cell Cells Gaol Hammock Pentonville Prison Prisons Gaols
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "A Place of Penitence and Reformation: An Intimate Look into a Pentonville Prison Cell of the 1840s" This evocative photograph, taken in 1843, offers a rare glimpse into the interior of a prison cell at Pentonville Prison in London during the mid-19th century. The cell, which measures approximately 7 feet by 7 feet, is sparsely furnished, reflecting the Victorian-era belief that harsh living conditions would deter criminal behavior and promote penitence and reformation. At the center of the cell, a hammock, or "cradle," hangs from the wall, serving as the inmate's bed. The hammock, a common feature in early prisons, was intended to save space and allow for easier cleaning. The cell's only other furnishings include a wooden stool, a small table, and a bucket, which would have been used for various purposes, such as washing or as a toilet. The cell's walls are adorned with religious texts and images, reflecting the influence of the Quaker reformers who established Pentonville Prison in 1842 with the goal of creating a more humane and rehabilitative prison system. The prison's innovative design, which included the use of separate cells, centralized yards, and a system of silent discipline, was a departure from the overcrowded, unsanitary, and often violent conditions that characterized many prisons of the time. This photograph offers a fascinating window into the past, providing insight into the living conditions of prisoners during the 1840s and the evolving approach to criminal justice and rehabilitation in Victorian England. The image also underscores the enduring legacy of Pentonville Prison as a symbol of the era's commitment to reform and the ongoing debate over the role of punishment and compassion in the criminal justice system.
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