Punishment Cell, Newgate Prison, 1850. Creator: Unknown

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Punishment Cell, Newgate Prison, 1850. Creator: Unknown

Punishment Cell, Newgate Prison, [London], 1850. Extract from a...report of the State of the Prison...There is another part of the prison that demands attention - the separate cells, which...are so intensely cold in inclement weather, that the pain which the prisoners suffer is almost to the full extent of human endurance...As we traverse these passages we note the iron character of the building. It is dark, close, confined; and in despite of the scrupulous cleanliness preserved in every part, foul smells are not unfrequently met in its lobbies. The great fault is the want of room, the height ot the walls, and the narrowness of the courts, giving them the appearance of wells rather than open spaces. Air and light are in consequence less plentiful than they should be'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850

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Media ID 36197258

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Bars Bed Chamber Bedchamber Bedroom Cell Cold Newgate Gaol Newgate Prison Penitentiary Prison Prisoner Punishing Punishment Suffering

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> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Towns > Welling

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EDITORS COMMENTS
This haunting image captures the bleak and inhumane conditions of the Punishment Cell in Newgate Prison, London, during the 19th century. The photo print, created around 1850, provides a chilling glimpse into the dark and cramped quarters where prisoners were confined. The report from the Illustrated London News describes the cell as intensely cold, particularly during inclement weather, causing immense pain and suffering for the inmates. The iron character of the building is evident in the image, with its dark, close, and confined spaces. The narrow courts and low ceilings give the cells an oppressive and claustrophobic feel, and the lack of proper ventilation results in foul smells. The cell itself is sparsely furnished, with a small bedchamber containing only a thin mattress on the floor. The iron bars of the window offer the only glimpse of the outside world, while the wintry season adds to the desolate atmosphere. The Punishment Cell was a stark reminder of the harsh realities of the penal system during this period, and the image serves as a poignant reminder of the suffering endured by those who were incarcerated within its walls.

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