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Interior of cell block at Portland Prison, Dorset
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Interior of cell block at Portland Prison, Dorset
Interior of a new wing at Portland, Dorset showing cell doors, iron stairways and corridors. Wire netting was placed between balconies to prevent inmates falling to the ground. The prison opened in 1848 as a public works prison for convicts who were employed in quarries in the area
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Media ID 4481723
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10472803
1840s 1848 Balconies Balcony Cell Convicts Corridor Corridors Crime Doors Dorset Employed Gaol Iron Jail L Aw Netting Portland Prison Punishment Quarries Quarry Safety Saving Stair Way Stairways Wing Wire Workhouse
EDITORS COMMENTS
Step into the past with this evocative image of the Interior of a new wing at Portland Prison, Dorset, captured in the late 1800s. The photograph offers a glimpse into the harsh living conditions of the convicts who were housed here during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The cell block, which opened in 1848, was designed as a public works prison, where inmates were employed in quarries in the area. The image reveals the stark reality of prison life, with iron stairways and corridors leading to small, barred cells. Wire netting was added between balconies to prevent inmates from falling to the ground below. The use of wire netting was a safety measure aimed at reducing the number of fatal accidents and escapes. The prison's history dates back to the 1840s, and during this time, it served as a workhouse and gaol for men convicted of various crimes. The atmosphere inside the prison was one of punishment and hard labor, with long hours spent in the quarry and short periods of rest in cramped cells. Despite the challenging conditions, the prison played an essential role in the local community, providing employment opportunities for the convicts and contributing to the development of the quarries in the area. Today, this historic prison stands as a reminder of a bygone era, offering a fascinating insight into the lives of those who were incarcerated here during the 1800s.
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