Photograph of Edinburgh Prison Staff

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

52277

Title

Photograph of prison staff, Calton Gaol, Edinburgh, 1900-1920

Description

One of a collection of twenty-four photographs of Prison staff at Edinburgh's Calton Jail. Men in back three rows women in second row. Governor and wife (?) in front row with other staff. Miss Helen Thomson is at the right end of second row.

Accession number

HH5521/9/92

Copyright

The City of Edinburgh Council Museums & Galleries

The Calton Jail employed women to work as wardresses. Their role here was for the welfare of the prisoners, and often with a strong religious element. They helped run the Bible class. An advertisement in the Scotsman in November 1919 states the candidates "must be of good health, character, and education; age 22 to 30; height not less than 5ft 3in, without shoes; commencing salary, 29s a week, rising to 44s a week, with temporary war bonus (present minimum, 10s 10d a week), furnished quarters, boot allowance 1s a week, washing, medical attendance and medicines; 48- hour week; 17 days annual holiday; pension or gratuity if retired on account of ill-health or age; gratuity on marriage after six years service""

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.

Photograph of Edinburgh prison staff