Liberation of prisoners from Coldbath Fields House of Correction

Book illustration showing the release of prisoners from Coldbath Fields House of Correction, from page 348 of 'The criminal prisons of London and scenes of prison life' by Henry Mayhew and John Binny. The authors note that around 33% of prisoners re-offended and comment that prison is a 'palace' compared to many of their homes. "The cares of life - the struggle for bread that goes on outside - all cease within the prison gates. They are well fed, well housed, well clothed - better, perhaps, than ever they were in their lives before, and without a fear, too, for the morrow."