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Convicts being searched, Portland Prison, Dorset
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Convicts being searched, Portland Prison, Dorset
Portland Prison, Dorset, opened in 1848 as a public works prison for convicts who were employed in quarries in the area. This view shows prison officers searching convicts on their return from work
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Media ID 4470975
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10424893
1840s 1848 Conditions Convicts Crime Dorset Employed Gaol Guards Hard Jail L Aw Labour Portland Prison Punishment Quarries Quarry Return Returning Search Searching
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This evocative image captures the daily routine at Portland Prison in Dorset during the Victorian era. Established in 1848, the prison was unique in that it was designed as a public works prison, where convicts were employed in the local quarries. In this photograph, we see prison officers meticulously searching convicts upon their return from work. The harsh conditions of the prison and the quarry are evident in the worn expressions and ragged clothing of the men. The year was 1848, a time when the penal system in England was undergoing significant changes. The focus had shifted from punishment to reform, and public works prisons like Portland were seen as a more humane alternative to the traditional gaols. However, the long hours of hard labor in the quarries, combined with the strict discipline and regular searches, made life for the convicts far from easy. The image offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, providing insight into the daily lives of convicts and prison officers during this period. The search process was a crucial aspect of prison life, with officers ensuring that no contraband was brought back into the prison. The convicts, weary from a day's labor, would have been all too aware of the importance of a clean bill of health from their guards. This photograph, taken in the 1840s, is a poignant reminder of the harsh realities of the Victorian penal system and the lives of those who were part of it. The image is courtesy of Mary Evans Prints Online and is protected by rights managed licensing.
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