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Mettray : a Dormitory
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Mettray : a Dormitory
METTRAY (near Tours) Open agricultural and industrial colony for juvenile offenders, 1839-1939 : BOYS IN THEIR DORMITORY, WHERE THEY SLEEP IN HAMMOCKS
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 606709
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10056802
1839 1850 Agricultural Colony Dormitory Hammocks Juvenile L Aw Mettray Offenders Prisons Sleep Tours
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This print captures a glimpse into the past at Mettray, an open agricultural and industrial colony for juvenile offenders near Tours, France. Established in 1839 and operating until 1939, Mettray served as a unique institution aimed at reforming young lawbreakers through education and work.
In this particular image, we see a group of boys settled in their dormitory for the night. Instead of traditional beds, they sleep in hammocks suspended from the ceiling - a stark reminder of the strict living conditions imposed on them during their time at Mettray.
The scene is both haunting and intriguing, offering a window into a bygone era where juvenile offenders were sent to colonies like Mettray with hopes of rehabilitation rather than punishment. The history behind this photograph speaks volumes about societal attitudes towards youth crime in the mid-19th century and sheds light on innovative approaches to criminal justice that were being explored at the time.
As we gaze upon these boys resting peacefully in their hammocks, we are reminded of the complex interplay between agriculture, industry, and juvenile justice that defined life at Mettray. This print serves as a poignant reminder of how far we have come in our understanding of rehabilitation and reintegration for young offenders since the days when institutions like Mettray were commonplace.
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