Prisoner jacket

This prisoner jacket was found during construction work and renovation of the former prison on 18/9/20220 in the roof cavity (above tier 3) of B Division. A newspaper from 1973 was lying next to the

The exact date of the jacket is unknown. Archival photos from the late 19th and early 20th century show similar jackets.

The back of the jackets shows letters and numbers: The Broad Arrow symbol ( ↑ ), flanked by the letters P (Penal) and D (Department), clearly marked the wearer as government property. Below this, "B 85" identified the prisoner's exact location: B Division, Cell 85. 

On display in B Division until June 2025: Pentridge Prison Tours, National Trust of Australia (Victoria).

Following newspaper article in North Melbourne Courier and West Melbourne Advertiser (via @TROVE)  from 1904 describes the uniforms of prisoners:

“They (the prisoners) were all clad in the regulation short grey jackets and waistcoats, with moleskin trousers, and wearing cabbage-tree straw hats, each garment being liberally branded with the "broad arrow." 

On the back and front of each jacket, as well as on waistcoat and trousers, a number and letter is painted, on either side of a broad arrow, in large characters.

The former is called the "local number," and answers a double purpose; firstly, as a means of identification—a necessity which can be easily understood when the similarity of dress is considered—and secondly, as a means of sorting out a prisoner's clothing after the weekly wash.

The letter denotes the division to which the prisoner belongs. On the right sleeve of each man's jacket we also noticed a number sewn; some painted in white characters and some in red, and surrounded by a circle of similar color,

The number, we learned, showed the class the prisoner was in, whilst its color signified:—white, first conviction; red two or more convictions; and the oft- recurring lapses of the criminal was vividly portrayed by the vast majority of red badges displayed.

Following prints (wood engravings) from 1876 show similar stamps on the prisoners' uniforms.