A Victorian engraving showing prisoners being released from the House of Correction at Coldbath Fields , England (also known as Middlesex House of Correction and Clerkenwell Gaol and colloquially as The Steel). It housed low grade prisoners, political radicals and debtors on short terms up to two years and later vagrants and other non serious offenders. it's name derived from Cold Bath Spring, a medicinal spring discovered in 1697. Punishments included a treadmill and a regime of silence. The gaol was run by magistrates including Joseph Merceron, the corrupt 'Boss of Bethnal Green'.

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Size: 4724px × 3777px
Photo credit: © Colin Waters / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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