Tothill Fields Prison
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Tothill Fields Prison
Bridewell Prison also called Tothill Fields as it stood in an area of Westminster of the same name. It housed women and boys under 17. The boys given their dinner. Date: 1862
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Media ID 603463
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Also Area Bridewell Called Dinner Fields Housed Prisons Same Stood Tothill Under Westminster
EDITORS COMMENTS
Tothill Fields Prison, also known as Bridewell Prison, was a historic correctional institution located in the area of Westminster, London. The prison, which housed women and boys under the age of 17, is depicted in this photograph taken in the year 1862. The image shows a group of young boys seated at a long table, eagerly partaking in their dinner. The atmosphere in the room is somber, with the boys dressed in plain, drab clothing and their expressions reflecting a mix of hunger and apprehension. Tothill Fields Prison was one of the oldest and most notorious prisons in England, with a history dating back to the 16th century. It was originally established as a workhouse and a place of correction for the able-bodied poor, but over time, it evolved into a full-fledged prison. The conditions in the prison were notoriously harsh, with overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate food and clothing being common complaints. Despite these challenges, the prison did play a significant role in the history of British criminal justice. It was one of the first institutions to introduce the system of separate confinement, which aimed to reform prisoners through isolation and hard labor. The prison also housed a school for the children of inmates, providing them with an education and a chance at a better future. This photograph offers a rare glimpse into the daily life of Tothill Fields Prison and the young boys who were held there. It serves as a reminder of the challenges and complexities of the British prison system during the Victorian era and the ongoing efforts to reform and improve it.
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