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Life behind bars in Britain’s surviving Victorian prisons
Dozens of prisons were built in Britain between 1842 and 1877, many of which are still in use today. For more than 20 years, Andy Aitchison has photographed behind the walls. His book Incarcerated explores how Victorian prison infrastructure has persisted, and what these old buildings mean for the people who live and work inside.
TL;DR
- Andy Aitchison has photographed in British prisons for over 20 years, focusing on Victorian architecture.
- Many prisons built between 1842 and 1877 are still operational and house about a quarter of the UK's prisoners.
- Aitchison's book 'Incarcerated' explores the persistence of Victorian prison infrastructure and its impact on inmates and staff.
- Photography within prisons is subject to strict rules, including consent and restrictions on what can be pictured.
- The project combines Aitchison's photographs with essays examining the historical and contemporary significance of these prisons.