Bird's-eye view of the female convict prison at Brixton

Bird's-eye view of the female convict prison at Brixton from page 176 of 'The criminal prisons of London and scenes of prison life' by Henry Mayhew and John Binny. The female convict prison at Brixton was an enlarged version of the Surrey House of Correction, which had become severely overcrowded, with up to 3 prisoners housed in a single cell. Due for demolition, the Surrey House of Correction was "purchased of the county for the sum of £13,000; and immediately afterwards certain additions and alterations were commenced, so as to render it capable of accommodating from 700 to 800 female convicts." Two new wings were added, one at each end of the old crescent shaped prison, plus a new chapel, laundry and houses for the superintendent and chaplain were constructed. On 24th November 1853 female prisoners were moved from Millbank to Brixton "those selected for removal being chosen in consequence of their previous good behaviour and their acquaintance with prison discipline".