Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Sights > New River
American Sketches: Prison Life on Blackwell's Island - No. 1. returning from work, 1876. Creator: Felix Elie Regamey
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
American Sketches: Prison Life on Blackwell's Island - No. 1. returning from work, 1876. Creator: Felix Elie Regamey
American Sketches: Prison Life on Blackwell's Island - No. 1. returning from work, 1876. In the penitentiary...where the sketch was taken by our correspondent, the late M. Regamey, about 600 males and females are usually confined at one time. The men are kept at work in quarrying and cutting stone, building a seawall for the harbour, making roads, and gardening; but some of them work at their own skilled trades. Our Illustration shows the slavish appearance of a gang of these fellows under the eye of their armed keeper, as they come back from the daily task of hard labour...In the city of New York alone...there are five district prisons, besides reformatories and penitentiaries, in which about 50, 000 persons are confined in the course of the year. 17, 000 of these are native-born Americans...nearly 22, 000 are stated to be Irish...and 6000 are Germans'. From "Illustrated London News", 1876
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 36367801
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
Chain Chains Convict Convicts Felix Elie Regamey Felix Régamey Guards Hard Labour Hats Island Penitentiary Prison Prison Officer Prisoner Prisoners Punishment Regamey Felix Regamey Felix Elie Roosevelt Island Shackle Shackled Shackles Stripe Striped Stripes Uniforms Welfare Island Afro American
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> R
> Felix Elie Regamey
> Asia
> East Timor
> Related Images
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Fashion
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Sights
> London Eye
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Sights
> New River
> North America
> United States of America
> New York
> Related Images
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, titled "American Sketches: Prison Life on Blackwell's Island - No. 1. returning from work, 1876," was created by Swiss artist Felix Elie Regamey for the Illustrated London News. The image offers a stark glimpse into the daily life of prisoners on Blackwell's Island, also known as Welfare Island, which served as a correctional facility in New York City during the late 19th century. At the time this photograph was taken, approximately 600 males and females were confined on the island. The men, as depicted in the image, were put to work in various tasks such as quarrying and cutting stone, building harbor seawalls, making roads, and gardening. Some were even allowed to work at their own skilled trades. The caption notes the "slavish appearance" of the prisoners as they return from their daily labor, under the watchful eye of an armed guard. The United States prison system during this era was vast, with five district prisons, reformatories, and penitentiaries in New York City alone. In a single year, about 50,000 individuals were confined within these facilities. Among them, 17,000 were native-born Americans, nearly 22,000 were Irish, and 6,000 were German. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the significant immigrant population within the American prison system during this period.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
