Photograph, surveillance image

From 1913 the Home Office commissioned an undercover photographer to take surveillance images of Suffragette prisoners as they took exercise in the yard of Holloway prison. The images were widely distributed for the purpose of identifying suffragettes most likely to undertake militant action, including damage to artworks in museums and galleries.
Miriam Pratt (1890-1975) was born into a working class family in Surrey. Aged 8 years she went to live with her Aunt in Norwich who was married to a Police officer. Miriam's sister Harriet later went to live with another Aunt in Norwich, also married to a police officer.
Miriam was a member of the Norwich branch of the Women's Social & Political Union. By 1913 she was combining her teaching career at St Paul's school in Norwich with that of a committed Suffragette branch member. She regularly sold copies of The Suffragette newspaper from her pitch on the corner of Gentleman's Walk and London Street. In May 1913 she was amongst Suffragettes that set fire to a house under construction in Cambridge for Viscount Esther and a genetics laboratory at the University of Cambridge. As well as Suffragette leaflets a gold watch was left outside the laboratory. Miriam's police officer Uncle recognised the description of the watch as one he had previously gifted to her. Confronted with the evidence she admitted her involvement to her Uncle who felt obliged to inform the authorities. At trial in October 1913, Miriam admitted her presence at the laboratory but denied direct involvement with the fires. Found guilty she was sentenced to 18 months hard labour and sent to Holloway prison. The following week a group of women chanted a prayer in unison in support of Miriam during the Sunday service at Norwich Cathedral. Within a week of joining the Suffragette hunger strike in Holloway prison Miriam was released under the Cat & Mouse act due to damage to her heart. Returning to Norwich she reconciled with her Aunt & Uncle.