Images related to Conscientious Objectors in Dartmoor Prison.
In 1917, Dartmoor Prison was closed as a criminal prison and converted into a Home Office Work Centre where Conscientious Objectors (COs or 'conchies') were put to work on mostly meaningless tasks. They were not exactly prisoners but were deemed to be workers. There were many intelligent and talented men amongst the COs and they produced postcards amongst other artworks.
One of a series of postcards from an unknown publisher commemorating the internment of COs at Dartmoor Prison.
One of a series of CO cards designed by G. P. Micklewright, an artist who went on to become a successful illustrator, designing the covers of over 2000 books. A brief biography of him can be found here.
This card appears to be a Christmas card commemorating the CO's time in Dartmoor. Immediately after the war ended one might think that all these men might have been released, but there is some evidence that the scheme carried on a little after the cease of hostilities. Dartmoor Prison did not re-open as a convict prison until 1920.
One of a series of photographs taken by a CO at the time the prison was being used as a work centre. It shows the interior of one of the wings.
A view of one of the landings. The detainees were encouraged to use the word 'room' instead of cell.
The open sheds where stone breaking took place.
A damaged picture taken looking down the main drive towards the administration block.
Part of a small collection of printed ephemera relating to COs at Dartmoor Prison. A subscription card for the Dartmoor branch of the No Conscription Fellowship. A brief history of the NCF can be found here.