![](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/518/338/large_thumbnail_1990_5131_10261__0001_.jpg)
Prisoners in Wormwood Scrubs
- Made:
- 1880-1900 in Wormwood Scrubs (HM Prison)
- maker:
- Unknown
![Portraits of prisoners
A page from an album of criminal](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/143/956/medium_1987_5218_0001.jpg)
Silver print, one of four pages of photographs of inmates of Wormwood Scrubs prison mounted twelve to a page c.1890. A page from an album of criminal register photographs, taken by a unknown photographer at Wormwood Scrubs prison in about 1890. The criminals hold up their hands to show any identifying features, such as tattoos or missing fingers. A mirror placed on their right shoulder captures their profile.
Silver print, one of four pages of photographs of inmates of Wormwood Scrubs prison mounted twelve to a page c.1890. A page from an album of criminal register photographs, taken by a unknown photographer at Wormwood Scrubs prison in about 1890.
The criminals hold up their hands to show any identifying features, such as tattoos or missing fingers. A mirror placed on their right shoulder captures their profile. The use of photography to record known criminals - the 'mug shot'- had been in evidence as early as the 1840s. In 1871, the Prevention of Crimes Act made it a legal requirement that all persons arrested for a crime must have their photographs taken.
Details
- Category:
- Photographs
- Object Number:
- 1987-5218/1
- type:
- photograph
- credit:
- The National Media Museum, Bradford