Dartmoor Prison (Victorian engraving 1855) - stock illustration

An engraving of Dartmoor Prison from "The Leisure Hour: a family journal of instruction and recreation" published in 1855. When Great Britain and France were involved in the Napoleonic Wars, it was thought wise to build a prison to house the thousands of prisoners of war which were being kept in prison 'hulks' (derelict ships) in very poor conditions. As Dartmoor is such a wild and isolated area, it was felt to be the ideal situation for the new prison and work was started in 1806, with the first prisoners arriving in 1809. In 1812, the French prisoners were joined by American POWs taken during the war of 1812. When the peace was declared with both countries in 1815, the prison was closed and the prisoners were repatriated. It then lay empty until 1850 when it was mostly rebuilt and recommissioned for civilian prisoners. During World War One, the prisoners were moved out and it was used to confine conscientious objectors. The prison is still in use and has counted some of Britain's most dangerous criminals amongst its inmates.