These are the haunting mugshots of Victorian criminals – who could face months of hard labour for stealing bread.
The recently unearthed photographs reveal the brutal punishments that were handed to Victorians for petty offences – which would barely warrant a police caution in Britain today.
The images, which come from Oxford Castle Prison were taken between March 1868 to May 1870 when the concept of photography was still relatively new.
In the 19th century, Oxford Gaol was a prison reserved for the some of the poorest members of society driven into crimes such as theft and fraud largely through desperation.
The fascinating collection shows weary 62-year-old William Lee who was sentenced to 21 days hard labour for stealing bread – and William Maisey, 34, who received 28 days hard labour for stealing a pack of oats.
Another harrowing mugshot shows a baby-faced 19-year-old James Morley who was given six months imprisonment for stealing a chicken in January that same year.
Left: James Morley, 19, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for stealing a chicken. He was given a six months imprisonment on January 27, 1870. Right: James Howard, was jailed for stealing ducks, however he was later acquitted. The image was taken on February 25, 1870
Left: Josiah Pulley, 43, and partner in crime Sarah Robinson, 32, (pictured) were jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for stealing a basket with 21 shillings in. Right: Mary Jones, 29, was jailed for false pretences. She was given a two months imprisonment on May 6, 1870
Left: William Houlton, 54, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for stealing a pack of wheat worth 42 shillings. He was given 42 days imprisonment in 1870. Right: James Hardwick, 26, was jailed for assault and robbery. He was given six months imprisonment in 1869
Left: William Maisey, 34, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for stealing a pack of oats. He was given 28 days hard labour in 1870. Right: William Lee, 62, was jailed for stealing bread. He was given 21 days hard labour
Left: Elizabeth Hinton, 43, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for unlawful wounding. She was given seven days hard labour. Right: John Viggers, 56, was jailed for stealing knives. He was given one month hard labour in 1870
Left: Thomas Howell, 43, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for stealing chickens. He was given 21 days imprisonment. Right: Stephen Oliver, 36, was jailed for stealing one pound sterling. He was given four months hard labour in 1870
Left: Thomas Williams, 26, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for ransacking a shop. He was given six months hard labour in 1869. Right: William Knott, 20, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for stealing a chicken
Left: John Beckley, 37, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for embezzling 18 pound sterling. He was given 12 months hard labour. Right: Louisa Petty, who was jailed and given hard labour for an unknown charge in 1868
Left: Frederick Flower, 25, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for a fraud of 25 shillings. He was given eight months imprisonment in 1869. Right: William Cooper, 53, was jailed for false pretences
Left: William Jones, 22, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for stealing trousers. He was given one month imprisonment. Right: Benjamin Wain, 25, was jailed for stealing fowl. He was given six months imprisonment in 1870
Left: George Pratley, 25, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for stealing a coat. He was given three months hard labour. Right: William Adams, 20, was jailed for stealing a waistcoat, a collar and a handkerchief. He was given 21 days hard labour in 1870
Left: Edward Coles, 29, was jailed at Oxford Castle Prison for three pairs of socks. He was imprisoned for two months. Right: Charles Hearn, 61, was jailed for stealing trousers and four shillings. He was given 28 days hard labour
OXFORD CASTLE PRISON: THE NORMAN KEEP THAT LOCKED UP THE CITY’S CRIMINALS FOR CENTURIES
The Norman keep at Oxford castle (pictured) was used for locking up prisoners from the 13th century right up until 1996
The Norman keep at Oxford castle was used for locking up prisoners from the 13th century right up until 1996.
It became a formal jail in the city 1600s and stayed that way until its closure twenty years ago.
In the Victorian era conditions inside the jail were incredibly tough, with disease and lack of food a daily struggle for inmates.
Most of the criminals in the prison were locked up because they had fell into crime to make ends meet.
But inmates were expected to pay for their own upkeep, with many people dying from starvation and cold as a result.
However, even those who could afford to provide their own meals and clothing found the conditions incredibly tough.
The prison was often filled with vermin and sewage meaning that illness and in some cases death, were never far away.
The Victorians believed that prisons should be awful places that would deter people from committing crimes, with the punishment of hard labour dished out to crush inmates’ spirits.
During hard labour, prisoners were kept in silence and made do long, boring work. These could include walking a treadwheel or picking oakum (separating strands of rope).
While hangings were common at Oxford castle, like most prisons at the time, towards the end of the century attitudes in Britain changed.
The amount of offences punishable by death reduced and the final execution at Oxford castle taking place in 1863.