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The oakum-shed, Clerkenwell Prison, London, 1874
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The oakum-shed, Clerkenwell Prison, London, 1874
The oakum-shed, Clerkenwell Prison, London, 1874. Oakum is a tarred fibre used in shipbuilding. It used to be made from old tarry ropes and its preparation was a common form of prison labour. A print from Sketches in the Clerkenwell House of Correction, The Illustrated London News, 17 January 1874
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Media ID 14952983
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Clerkenwell Crime And Punishment Guard Hard Labour Hardship Imprisonment Islington Law And Order Penitentiary Print Collector18 Prison Prison Officer Prisoner Punishment Metaphor Oakum
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back to the year 1874, offering a glimpse into the harsh reality of life inside Clerkenwell Prison in London. The focal point of the image is the oakum-shed, where prisoners toiled away at one of their grueling tasks - preparing tarred fibre known as oakum. This material was commonly used in shipbuilding and was made from old tarry ropes. The scene depicts an interior view of the shed, filled with male prisoners diligently engaged in their hard labor under the watchful eye of a prison officer. The engraving captures not only physical hardship but also serves as a metaphor for crime and punishment during this era. In Victorian England, prisons were seen as places for reformation through hard work and discipline. The men depicted here are partaking in mandatory prison labor, reflecting society's belief that manual exertion could lead to moral improvement. As we observe this historical snapshot, we are transported back to a time when law and order were strictly enforced within these penitentiary walls. This print reminds us of the struggles faced by those who found themselves on the wrong side of justice during this period – forced into arduous tasks like oakum-making as they served out their sentences behind bars. Through its monochrome aesthetic and attention to detail, this print offers us a window into an important chapter in London's history – shedding light on both the hardships endured by prisoners and society's approach towards crime and punishment during the 19th century
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