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Penal Collection

"Exploring the Dark History of Penal Systems: From Convict Transportation to Australia and Devil's Isle" Step back in time as we delve into the intriguing world systems

Background imagePenal Collection: Convict transportation to Australia

Convict transportation to Australia
List of convicts embarked on the ship Merchantman from Portland to Western Australia, June 1864 Date: 1864

Background imagePenal Collection: Dreyfus on Devils Isle

Dreyfus on Devils Isle
ALFRED DREYFUS French army officer and victim of injustice as a prisoner on Devils Island

Background imagePenal Collection: Edmund Y. W Henderson

Edmund Y. W Henderson
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SIR EDMUND YEAMANS WALCOTT HENDERSON shown soon after he was appointed as Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in 1869. He succeed the late Sir Richard Mayne in this post

Background imagePenal Collection: Map showing the placings in Australia of The Tolpuddle Martyrs

Map showing the placings in Australia of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers
5614433 Map showing the placings in Australia of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

Background imagePenal Collection: A Hobart chain-gang, a group of prisoners chained together to perform menial or physically

A Hobart chain-gang, a group of prisoners chained together to perform menial or physically challenging work as a form
5614423 A Hobart chain-gang, a group of prisoners chained together to perform menial or physically challenging work as a form of punishment; (add.info.: A Hobart chain-gang)

Background imagePenal Collection: Lieutenant-General Sir George Arthur, 1st Baronet, 1784-1854

Lieutenant-General Sir George Arthur, 1st Baronet, 1784-1854
5614422 Lieutenant-General Sir George Arthur, 1st Baronet, 1784-1854; (add.info.: Lieutenant-General Sir George Arthur, 1st Baronet, 1784-1854)

Background imagePenal Collection: Map showing the arrest and transportation to Australia and Tasmania of the Tolpuddle Labourers, 1834

Map showing the arrest and transportation to Australia and Tasmania of the Tolpuddle Labourers, 1834
5614420 Map showing the arrest and transportation to Australia and Tasmania of the Tolpuddle Labourers, 1834; (add.info.: Map showing the arrest and transportation to Australia)

Background imagePenal Collection: Facsimile of a letter from the wives of the Tolpuddle Martyrs to Lord John Russell thanking him

Facsimile of a letter from the wives of the Tolpuddle Martyrs to Lord John Russell thanking him for his part in
5614432 Facsimile of a letter from the wives of the Tolpuddle Martyrs to Lord John Russell thanking him for his part in bringing about the pardons for their husbands; (add.info)

Background imagePenal Collection: Map showing the placings in Canada of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset

Map showing the placings in Canada of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who
5614436 Map showing the placings in Canada of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

Background imagePenal Collection: Public notice advising caution to people thinking of joining illegal societies or unions

Public notice advising caution to people thinking of joining illegal societies or unions, early 19th century
5614415 Public notice advising caution to people thinking of joining illegal societies or unions, early 19th century; (add.info)

Background imagePenal Collection: Facsimile of free pardon granted to George Loveless, one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs

Facsimile of free pardon granted to George Loveless, one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs
5614439 Facsimile of free pardon granted to George Loveless, one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs; (add.info.: Facsimile of free pardon granted to George Loveless, one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs)

Background imagePenal Collection: Transportation: Convict in chains bidding farewel, perhaps for every

Transportation: Convict in chains bidding farewel, perhaps for every, before being rowed out to join the convict ship
537640 Transportation: Convict in chains bidding farewel, perhaps for every, before being rowed out to join the convict ship bound for Australia

Background imagePenal Collection: Harvesting at Tolpuddle, Dorset, England in the 19th century

Harvesting at Tolpuddle, Dorset, England in the 19th century
5614409 Harvesting at Tolpuddle, Dorset, England in the 19th century; (add.info.: Harvesting at Tolpuddle, Dorset, England in the 19th century)

Background imagePenal Collection: Map showing the route of the demonstration at Copenhagen Fields, London

Map showing the route of the demonstration at Copenhagen Fields, London, England 21 April 1834 in protest against
5614428 Map showing the route of the demonstration at Copenhagen Fields, London, England 21 April 1834 in protest against the deportation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs; (add.info)

Background imagePenal Collection: A letter received by James Loveless from his brother George Loveless dated September 10, 1834

A letter received by James Loveless from his brother George Loveless dated September 10, 1834
5614424 A letter received by James Loveless from his brother George Loveless dated September 10, 1834; (add.info.: A letter received by James Loveless from his brother George Loveless dated September)

Background imagePenal Collection: George Loveless, 1797-1874

George Loveless, 1797-1874
5614435 George Loveless, 1797-1874; (add.info.: George Loveless, 1797-1874. Dorchester labourer and Tolpuddle martyr. The Tolpuddle Martyrs)

Background imagePenal Collection: The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs

The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs
5614417 The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs; (add.info.: The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs)

Background imagePenal Collection: Transportation: Convict ship ready to sail from England to Australia

Transportation: Convict ship ready to sail from England to Australia, parts of which Britain used as a penal colony
537637 Transportation: Convict ship ready to sail from England to Australia, parts of which Britain used as a penal colony

Background imagePenal Collection: Prison ship Success Australia, c. 1890

Prison ship Success Australia, c. 1890
Image show offcers quarters on board. The ship was converted into a floating museum and used to display the horrors of the penal era. She was destroyed by fire in 1946

Background imagePenal Collection: Norfolk Island as a penal settlement, 1853

Norfolk Island as a penal settlement, 1853
Norfolk Island as a penal settlement: a drawing, made in 1853, showing the buildings as they appeared when the Pacific island was a penal colony. 1) Commissariat and magazine. 2) Military barracks

Background imagePenal Collection: The Island of the Dead

The Island of the Dead was the destination for all who died inside the prison camps at former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, in Tasmania, Australia

Background imagePenal Collection: The Brine Bath on board a prison hulk in the early 19th century

The Brine Bath on board a prison hulk in the early 19th century. The brine bath aka coffin bath was where the prisoners were put after being flogged

Background imagePenal Collection: Force of habit (litho)

Force of habit (litho)
5993558 Force of habit (litho) by May, Phil (1864-1903); Private Collection; (add.info.: Force of habit. Illustration for the Phil May Album, collected by Augustus M Moore (Methuen)

Background imagePenal Collection: Adult School in the Chapel, on the Separate System, at the Surrey House of Correction

Adult School in the Chapel, on the Separate System, at the Surrey House of Correction
STC101343 Adult School in the Chapel, on the Separate System, at the Surrey House of Correction, Wandsworth, from The Criminal Prisons of London and Scenes of Prison Life by Henry Mayhew (1812-87)

Background imagePenal Collection: The Workshop under the Silent System at Millbank Prison

The Workshop under the Silent System at Millbank Prison
STC101351 The Workshop under the Silent System at Millbank Prison, from The Criminal Prisons of London and Scenes of Prison Life by Henry Mayhew (1812-87) and John Binny

Background imagePenal Collection: Tread-Wheel and Oakum-Shed at the City Prison, Holloway

Tread-Wheel and Oakum-Shed at the City Prison, Holloway
STC101348 Tread-Wheel and Oakum-Shed at the City Prison, Holloway, from The Criminal Prisons of London and Scenes of Prison Life by Henry Mayhew (1812-87) and John Binny

Background imagePenal Collection: Separate Cell in Pentonville Prison, from The Criminal Prisons of London

Separate Cell in Pentonville Prison, from The Criminal Prisons of London
STC101342 Separate Cell in Pentonville Prison, from The Criminal Prisons of London and Scenes of Prison Life by Henry Mayhew (1812-87) and John Binny, 1862 (engraving) by English School

Background imagePenal Collection: Howard Visiting a Lazaretto (pen & ink and wash on paper)

Howard Visiting a Lazaretto (pen & ink and wash on paper)
AGN270961 Howard Visiting a Lazaretto (pen & ink and wash on paper) by Romney, George (1734-1802); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePenal Collection: Courtyard of the Paris St. Lazare Prison, c. 1840 (engraving) (b / w photo)

Courtyard of the Paris St. Lazare Prison, c. 1840 (engraving) (b / w photo)
CHT163888 Courtyard of the Paris St. Lazare Prison, c. 1840 (engraving) (b/w photo) by French School, (19th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Background imagePenal Collection: Our Hereditary Legislators; or, What it May Come to (colour litho)

Our Hereditary Legislators; or, What it May Come to (colour litho)
3648264 Our Hereditary Legislators; or, What it May Come to (colour litho) by Morgan, Matthew " Matt" Somerville (1839-90); Private Collection; (add.info.: Our Hereditary Legislators; or)

Background imagePenal Collection: Whip or Rod and Whipping-Post at Wandsworth, from The Criminal Prisons of London

Whip or Rod and Whipping-Post at Wandsworth, from The Criminal Prisons of London
STC101346 Whip or Rod and Whipping-Post at Wandsworth, from The Criminal Prisons of London and Scenes of Prison Life by Henry Mayhew (1812-87) and John Binny, 1862 (engraving) by English School

Background imagePenal Collection: The Convict Nursery at Brixton, from The Criminal Prisons of London

The Convict Nursery at Brixton, from The Criminal Prisons of London
STC101337 The Convict Nursery at Brixton, from The Criminal Prisons of London and Scenes of Prison Life by Henry Mayhew (1812-87) and John Binny, 1862 (engraving) by English School

Background imagePenal Collection: Prisoners Working at the Tread-Wheel and Others Exercising in the 3rd Yard of

Prisoners Working at the Tread-Wheel and Others Exercising in the 3rd Yard of
STC101353 Prisoners Working at the Tread-Wheel and Others Exercising in the 3rd Yard of the Vagrants Prison, Coldbath Fields

Background imagePenal Collection: The Warrior Hulk with the Sulphur Washing-Ship in the Distance

The Warrior Hulk with the Sulphur Washing-Ship in the Distance
STC101360 The Warrior Hulk with the Sulphur Washing-Ship in the Distance, from The Criminal Prisons of London and Scenes of Prison Life by Henry Mayhew (1812-87) and John Binny

Background imagePenal Collection: Study of captives in a prison or lazaretto with a robed figure in their mists

Study of captives in a prison or lazaretto with a robed figure in their mists
AGN271138 Study of captives in a prison or lazaretto with a robed figure in their mists (brown ink & wash over pencil on paper) by Romney, George (1734-1802); Private Collection; Photo eAgnew s

Background imagePenal Collection: Female Convicts at Work during the Silent Hour in Brixton Prison

Female Convicts at Work during the Silent Hour in Brixton Prison
STC101338 Female Convicts at Work during the Silent Hour in Brixton Prison, from The Criminal Prisons of London and Scenes of Prison Life by Henry Mayhew (1812-87) and John Binny

Background imagePenal Collection: PRISON REFORM / J HOWARD

PRISON REFORM / J HOWARD
John Howard (1726-1790), investigating the French penal system, is visited by an officer of the Prefecture Date: circa 1775-79

Background imagePenal Collection: Aboriginal initiation ceremony

Aboriginal initiation ceremony involving tooth-avulsion called Yoo-lahng erah-ba-diahng in New South Wales. From: An account of the English colony in New South Wales Date: 1798

Background imagePenal Collection: The Australian prison hulk Success. Prison hulks were decommissioned ships that authorities used

The Australian prison hulk Success. Prison hulks were decommissioned ships that authorities used as floating prisons in the 18th and 19th centuries. From The Martyrs of Tolpuddle, published 1934

Background imagePenal Collection: The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs

The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Prison hulks were decommissioned ships that authorities used as floating prisons in the 18th and 19th centuries

Background imagePenal Collection: George Loveless, 1797-1874. Dorchester labourer and Tolpuddle martyr. The Tolpuddle Martyrs

George Loveless, 1797-1874. Dorchester labourer and Tolpuddle martyr. The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

Background imagePenal Collection: A contemporary impression of four of the Tolpuddle Martyrs after their return from penal servitude

A contemporary impression of four of the Tolpuddle Martyrs after their return from penal servitude in Australia in 1836. Left to right, James Brine, Thomas Stanfield, John Stanfield, James Loveless

Background imagePenal Collection: Lieutenant-General Sir George Arthur, 1st Baronet, 1784 - 1854

Lieutenant-General Sir George Arthur, 1st Baronet, 1784 - 1854. Lieutenant Governor of British Honduras (1814-1822), Van Diemens Land (now the State of Tasmania)

Background imagePenal Collection: The Gallery on board The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs

The Gallery on board The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Prison hulks were decommissioned ships that authorities used as floating prisons in the 18th

Background imagePenal Collection: The washing room on board The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs

The washing room on board The HMS York, a British prison hulk used to house the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Prison hulks were decommissioned ships that authorities used as floating prisons in the 18th

Background imagePenal Collection: Map showing the placings in Australia of The Tolpuddle Martyrs

Map showing the placings in Australia of The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

Background imagePenal Collection: George Loveless, 1797-1874. Dorchester labourer and Tolpuddle martyr. The Tolpuddle Martyrs

George Loveless, 1797-1874. Dorchester labourer and Tolpuddle martyr. The Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century Dorset agricultural labourers who were arrested for

Background imagePenal Collection: Demonstration at Copenhagen Fields, London, England 21 April 1834 in protest against

Demonstration at Copenhagen Fields, London, England 21 April 1834 in protest against the deportation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs



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"Exploring the Dark History of Penal Systems: From Convict Transportation to Australia and Devil's Isle" Step back in time as we delve into the intriguing world systems, where stories of punishment and redemption intertwine. One such tale takes us to the shores of Australia, where convict transportation became a defining chapter in its history. The journey across treacherous waters marked a new beginning for many, while others faced unimaginable hardships. Devil's Isle witnessed another infamous penal episode with the wrongful imprisonment of Alfred Dreyfus. Stranded on this remote island, he fought against injustice and emerged as a symbol of resilience amidst adversity. Intriguingly, Edmund Y. W Henderson played an instrumental role in shaping penal reforms. His tireless efforts aimed at transforming these institutions into places of rehabilitation rather than mere confinement. Venturing further, we encounter "The Island of the Dead, " hauntingly beautiful yet shrouded in sorrow. This final resting place for countless souls serves as a poignant reminder that every life has a story worth remembering. Diving into indigenous cultures, we uncover ancient traditions like Aboriginal initiation ceremonies. These rites symbolize growth and transformation within their communities—a stark contrast to the oppressive nature often associated with penitentiaries. Norfolk Island emerges as an embodiment of punishment during its time as a penal settlement in 1853. Its rugged landscape mirrored the harsh realities endured by those incarcerated there—an unforgiving environment meant to deter any thoughts of escape or rebellion. Examining artistic expressions born out of incarceration reveals unexpected insights; "Force Of Habit (litho)" captures how habits can become ingrained even within prison walls—reminding us that change is not always easy but still possible. Across continents, New York boasts its own great penal institution captured through black-and-white photographs—a testament to society's struggle with crime and punishment throughout history. Meanwhile, aboard Prison Ship Success off Australia's coast in the late 19th century, lives were confined to cramped quarters.