On a sunny December morning last term we arranged for some of our psychology students to visit the Dartmoor Prison Museum in Princetown. Located yards from the iconic Dartmoor Prison itself, the museum is based in the old prison farm dairy and is spread out over two floors with numerous different galleries to explore.
It tells the story of over 200 years of prison history from its opening in 1809 taking in French prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars, followed by American prisoners from the war of 1812. The prison re-opened as a convict prison in 1850 and hosted conscientious objectors during the First World War. Still in use today it is currently Britain’s oldest operational prison.
Our journey across the moors to get there took a little longer than planned as we encountered both cows and wild Dartmoor ponies standing in the middle of the road at different points to say hi!
When we finally arrived, students and staff were welcomed by a very informative and friendly man who explained how the prison had previously been used as a prisoner of war depot for both French and American prisoners, and that it was not in fact a high security prison, but used for category C and D prisoners.
The students enjoyed looking at the displays in the museum, especially the truncheons, old operating table and manacles. Other curiosities on offer were art work and crafts produced by prisoners over the years. After the museum, students were treated to a visit to McDonalds, which put smiles on everyone’s faces.
