Products made by prisoners from the collections of the prison museum

Mirror box

Crafts were also produced in the prison without permission, e.g. as gifts for loved ones waiting for the prisoners’ release. This mirror box is an unauthorised product made by a prisoner in his free time. Inside the box is a picture of a nude cherub.

Communion cloth

Prisoners used to produce a wide range of objects, such as church textiles, for the prison’s own needs. This communion cloth was designed by Eine Kurki, the supervisor of the Hämeenlinna central and county prison, and made by female prisoners. The cloth was used in the church of the Hämeenlinna county prison, which was located on the premises of the northern ward in 1957–1974. The cloth is made of cross-stitch damask. It is decorated with a grain garland and a Christogram in the middle. The cloth is finished with a fringe around the outer edge and a red velveteen lining.

Shovel

This shovel was used in bog and peat work in the Konnunsuo central prison. Perforated shovels were developed in bog prisons, where the surrounding bogs were converted into residential areas and farmland. The shovel was manufactured at the Rahkola workshop, probably in the 1930s or 1940s. The Konnunsuo prison was established in 1918 as a prison farm. Prison operations in Konnunsuo ended in 2011.

Prison farms were established in different parts of Finland to diversify work activities in the first decades of the 20th century. The reasons behind this were the increased number of prisoners after the Civil War and the attempt to reform the working activities of prisons without endangering Finnish business activity. Prison farms initially concentrated on agricultural work, but as society changed, the activities were industrialised in the 1970s. Prisoners worked in factories, sawmills and repair shops as well as on construction and renovation sites in various parts of Finland.

Paper holder

This paper holder was made by a prisoner in the Turku penitentiary at the latest in 1895, when the object was moved to the prison museum established by the association of prison officers. The holder was made of wire by bending. The paper holder has small round legs and a small handle.

Toy horse

The manufacture of toys started in the Turku penitentiary, Kakola, at the turn of the 1870–1880s. Small toys were the right size to be made in the small cells where prisoners were put in solitary confinement at the beginning of their sentence. Made in the late 1870s, this wooden horse stands on a wheeled wooden platform. The tail and mane are real dark grey horsehair. The horse is wearing a leather halter and reins.

Wool sock

A model of a low, knitted sock made of grey wool yarn that complies with the 1951 dress code for prisoners. Male prisoners wore these wool socks during the winter as part of their prison uniform. Prisoners knitted wool socks in their free time in the evenings. The prison paid for the materials, and the prisoners received minor compensation for the work.

Spinning wheel

Spinning wheel

This spinning wheel is from the Hämeenlinna women’s prison, whose official name was the Hämeenlinna penitentiary and workhouse for women. It was probably manufactured in the 1840s or 1850s according to a Swedish model. The spinning wheel has a fat cup in which the spinners could moisten their hands smeared with animal fat. In 1895, the spinning wheel was moved to the collection of the prison museum established by the association of prison officers.

Every day, huge amounts of yarn were spun in prisons. Spinning was the most common task of female prisoners from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. Yarn was made from wool, cotton and flax for weaving fabrics in the prison.

Number plate

The manufacture of number plates began in the Helsinki central prison, Sörkka, in 1927. Even today, all Finnish number plates are manufactured in Sörkka, with the exception of plates for Åland and special plates for the President of the Republic of Finland. This number plate was made at the prison workshop without permission.

Table

This table was made in the Turku penitentiary, Kakola, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The table set also includes a chair and a stool. The table has a tabletop with detailed decoration and legs made by turning on a lathe. “KAKOLA” has been branded below the tabletop.

Drawing

In addition to their prison work, male and female prisoners were also responsible for maintenance duties in the prison, as shown in this drawing, where prisoners are doing their laundry in washtubs. The prisoners are wearing grey and black striped uniforms and beret-like hats. This prison uniform was in use until 1951. The prison museum’s collection includes 17 of these drawings, each the size of a postcard. The drawings depict early 20th century prison work activities from horse care to painting cell beds. The drawings may have been made in the Konnunsuo prison. Some of the cards have the author’s signature “U. Willgrén” and the year 1924.

Chair

Part of a table set, this chair was made in the Turku penitentiary, Kakola, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The table set also includes a table and a stool. The decorated wooden chair has legs made by turning on a lathe and connected by crosspieces. The back has a curved top edge and decorative carvings. The seat edges are profiled. “KAKOLA” has been branded at the bottom of the seat.

Decorative plate

This decorative plate was made by a prisoner in the Hämeenlinna central and county prison in 1935.

Stool

Part of a table set, this stool was made in the Turku penitentiary, Kakola, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The table set also includes a table and a chair. “KAKOLA” has been branded at the bottom of the decorative wood stool’s seat, and “KURITUSHUONE TURUSSA KAKOLA” (“Penitentiary in Turku, Kakola”) has been stamped on the wood.

Shirt

Female prisoners made everyday textiles and clothing for prisons, the army and hospitals. This baby shirt is a model from the sewing room of the Hämeenlinna central and county prison. The shirt was made as a model for the Kätilöopisto Maternity Hospital or the maternity package in the 1960s or 1970s. A piece of fabric has been hand-stitched on the front shirt with the text “vauvan nuttu” (“baby shirt”).

Drawing

The prison museum’s collection includes 17 drawings the size of a postcard. The drawings depict early 20th century prison work activities from horse care to painting cell beds. In this drawing, a prisoner is baking round rye bread. The prisoner is wearing the trousers of a grey and black striped uniform. This prison uniform was in use until 1951. The drawings may have been made in the Konnunsuo prison. Some of the cards have the author’s signature “U. Willgrén” and the year 1924.

Writing utensil rack

This writing utensil rack was made by a prisoner in the Turku penitentiary in 1919. Created by chasing copper, the object was made for the office of the director general of the Finnish prison administration. The rack has a wooden stand and three fixed copper cups with a lid for writing utensils.

Drawing

Male prisoners did various kinds of carpentry work. The prisoners built wooden furniture and utility items, such as chairs, tables, spinning wheels, sewing boxes and paper knives. In this drawing, a prisoner is working at a carpentry shop. The prisoner is wearing a grey and black striped uniform and a beret-like hat. This prison uniform was in use until 1951.

The prison museum’s collection includes 17 drawings the size of a postcard. The drawings depict early 20th century prison work activities from horse care to painting cell beds. The watercolour paintings may have been made in the Konnunsuo prison. Some of the cards have the author’s signature “U. Willgrén” and the year 1924.