Chief warder at the Pentonville Prison and Principal Matron at the female convict prison, Brixton

Book illustration of the Chief Warder at Pentonville Prison and Principal Matron at the female convict prison, Brixton. From page 154 of 'The criminal prisons of London and scenes of prison life' by Henry Mayhew and John Binny. The principal matron at Brixton wore "a dove-coloured, fine woollen dress, with a black-cloth mantle, and straw bonnet, trimmed with white ribbons". Other matrons wore a similar costume but with deep blue bonnet trimmings and "the cloak they wear is a large, deep-caped affair, that reaches nearly to the feet, and is made of green woollen plaid."