The city's Duke Street Prison (also known as Bridewell or the Northern Prison) was long a landmark in Townhead. This picture, showing the paths the prisoners would walk on their daily exercise time, was taken in 1935.
Between its first prisoners arriving in 1798 and 1872, various improvements were made to the structure but not to the terrible living conditions which were mentioned in the old street song sung to the tune of 'There is a Happy Land'.
- There is a happy land,
- doon Duke Street Jail,
- Where a' the prisoners stand,
- tied tae a nail.
- Ham an' eggs they never see,
- dirty watter fur yer tea;
- there they live in misery
- God Save the Queen!
After the transfer of responsibility to the state from local authorities, HM Prison Barlinnie was built in the Eastern suburbs of the city in 1882 in order to take over from 'Bridewell' which eventually remained open as a women's prison until 1955.
Today, the site is occupied by flats.
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The Herald Picture Store is proud to present these images in their actual condition. We haven't manipulated these photographs and are proud of their character.
Please be aware that due to their age some images may show imperfections. This is as a result of the technology available at the time they were captured and/or scanned and saved for our records.
