Prisoners Their Own Warders: A Record of the Convict Prison at Singapore in the 19th Century

In the 19th century, Singapore was a British colony and a major transshipment point for goods from India and China. The city was also home to a large convict prison, which held prisoners from all over the British Empire.

Prisoners Their Own Warders A Record of the Convict Prison at Singapore in the Straits Settlements Established 1825

by Paul Preston

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1314 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	185 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The convict prison at Singapore was a harsh and unforgiving place. The prisoners were forced to work long hours in the hot sun, and they were often beaten and abused by the guards. The food was meager and the living conditions were squalid.

Despite the harsh conditions, the prisoners at Singapore managed to find ways to resist their oppressors. They organized strikes and riots, and they even escaped from the prison on several occasions.

The story of the convict prison at Singapore is a fascinating one. It is a story of human suffering and resilience, and it provides a unique insight into the history of Singapore and the British Empire.

The Prisoners

The prisoners at the convict prison at Singapore came from all over the British Empire. They included men and women, young and old, and they had committed a wide range of crimes, from petty theft to murder.

The majority of the prisoners were from India, but there were also prisoners from China, Malaya, and Europe. The prisoners were housed in large dormitories, which were often overcrowded and unsanitary.

The prisoners were forced to work long hours in the hot sun. They worked on the docks, in the quarries, and on the roads. The work was hard and dangerous, and the prisoners were often injured or killed.

The prisoners were also subjected to harsh punishments. They were flogged, beaten, and put in solitary confinement. The punishments were often brutal, and they caused the prisoners great pain and suffering.

The Guards

The guards at the convict prison at Singapore were a brutal and corrupt lot. They were often drunk and violent, and they took pleasure in inflicting pain on the prisoners.

The guards were also corrupt. They often took bribes from the prisoners, and they would sometimes allow the prisoners to escape. The corruption of the guards made it difficult to maintain Free Download in the prison, and it contributed to the harsh conditions that the prisoners endured.

The Resistance

Despite the harsh conditions, the prisoners at Singapore managed to find ways to resist their oppressors. They organized strikes and riots, and they even escaped from the prison on several occasions.

The most famous escape from the convict prison at Singapore occurred in 1875. A group of prisoners, led by a man named Sepoy Lines, overpowered the guards and escaped from the prison.

The escape of Sepoy Lines and his followers was a major embarrassment for the British authorities. It showed that the prisoners were not willing to accept their fate, and it inspired other prisoners to resist their oppressors.

The Legacy

The convict prison at Singapore closed in 1873. However, the legacy of the prison lives on. The prison is now a museum, and it is a reminder of the harsh conditions that the prisoners endured.

The story of the convict prison at Singapore is a tragic one. It is a story of human suffering and resilience, but it is also a story of hope. The prisoners at Singapore never gave up hope, and they fought for their freedom until the very end.

The story of the convict prison at Singapore is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope can prevail.

Prisoners Their Own Warders A Record of the Convict Prison at Singapore in the Straits Settlements Established 1825

by Paul Preston

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1314 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	185 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE