Chatham Prison Riots - The Mess-house
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Chatham Prison Riots - The Mess-house
The Mess-house at St Marys Convict Prison, Chatham - where a riot broke out in early March 1861
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4439337
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10283405
Chatham Convict Convicts Dick Dock Side Guards Inmates Marys Mess Prison Prisoners Quay Side Revolt Riot Riots Rocks Wardens Wharf
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the aftermath of the Chatham Prison Riots, which broke out at St Mary's Convict Prison in Chatham, England in early March 1861. The Mess-house, depicted here, was a communal dining and living area for the prisoners, located near the prison quay side and harbor. The riot, fueled by grievances over living conditions and treatment by prison guards and wardens, saw prisoners take control of the prison for several days. The photo shows the Mess-house in disarray, with broken windows and furniture overturned. Prisoners, some wearing striped convict uniforms, can be seen milling about outside, while guards and soldiers stand watch at a distance. The dockside and quay are visible in the background, with ships in the harbor and the rocky shoreline beyond. The Chatham Prison Riots were a significant event in the history of British penal institutions, highlighting the harsh conditions and tensions that existed within the convict system. The riot was eventually quelled by military intervention, but it led to reforms in the prison system, including improvements in living conditions and the abolition of the treadmill as a form of punishment. This historical photograph, taken from the Mary Evans Prints Online collection, offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in the annals of Chatham's rich maritime and penal history.
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