Mugshots from Wormwood Scrubs
The faces (and hands) of the condemned
Amanda Uren
c. 1890
Almost as soon as photography was invented, police and prison authorities began photographing prisoners and suspects to aid in their identification. The pictures became known as "mugshots," after the slang word for face. These photographs were taken in 1880 and 1890 at Wormwood Scrubs prison in West London. They are unusual in that, through the clever use of a mirror, the full face and profile views appear in the same shot. The prisoners also showed their hands, so that any distinguishing features such as missing fingers or tattoos could be recorded.Wormwood Scrubs prison had opened in 1874. Starting as wooden sheds, it was gradually constructed using prison labour and bricks made on the premises. Both men and women are pictured here. Women prisoners were held at Wormwood Scrubs until 1902, at which point the last were sent to Holloway women's prison.
Through the clever use of a mirror, the full face and profile views appear in the same shot.
The first thing I noticed in the cell was that I had no bed to sleep on. Some eminent Christian with the love of Christ in his heart had ordained hard work, the treadmill, hard fare, gruel and dry bread. - ARTHUR HARDING, WORMWOOD SCRUBS INMATE C. 1902, "MY APPRENTICESHIP TO CRIME," 1969
One of the most awful sounds a man can listen to in the silence of the night is when a prisoner goes berserk and smashes up his cell and everything in it. His ravings and screams are very disturbing to the other inmates. - ARTHUR HARDING, WORMWOOD SCRUBS INMATE c. 1902, "MY APPRENTICESHIP TO CRIME," 1969
