Island on East River in New York City, United States

concept

Blackwell's Island Penitentiary, New York: (left) prisoners are walking in a long file leaving spoons in a bowl as they go  past; (right) prisoners stand in line to receive a loaf of bread. Wood engraving by W.J. Palmer, 1876, after F. Régamay.

Blackwell's Island Penitentiary, New York: prisoners in uniform are marching towards the penitentiary after hard labour outside, supervised by armed guards. Wood engraving after G.U. Régamey.

Blackwell's Island Penitentiary, New York: prisoners are sitting at benches eating and reading as a man at the top of the room watches over them. Wood engraving after G.U. Régamay.

Blackwell's Island Penitentiary, New York: prisoners in chains are working with hammers breaking stones on the side of the roadway, a guard in a jacket and trousers with a cane is watching over them from under a tree. Wood engraving after G.U. Régamey.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

Please note, due to essential maintenance work to our systems, you will be unable to request items in our collections; apply for, renew or pre-register for a library membership; or use our computers, laptops and printers from 06:00 on Saturday 12 July until 06:00 on Sunday 13 July. Our library will remain open as usual. Thank you for your understanding.

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Roosevelt Island (New York, N.Y.)

Images

Catalogue

Blackwell's Island Penitentiary, New York: prisoners are sitting at benches eating and reading as a man at the top of the room watches over them. Wood engraving after G.U. Régamay.

Blackwell's Island Penitentiary, New York: prisoners in chains are working with hammers breaking stones on the side of the roadway, a guard in a jacket and trousers with a cane is watching over them from under a tree. Wood engraving after G.U. Régamey.

Blackwell's Island Penitentiary, New York: prisoners in uniform are marching towards the penitentiary after hard labour outside, supervised by armed guards. Wood engraving after G.U. Régamey.

Blackwell's Island Penitentiary, New York: (left) prisoners are walking in a long file leaving spoons in a bowl as they go past; (right) prisoners stand in line to receive a loaf of bread. Wood engraving by W.J. Palmer, 1876, after F. Régamay.