See life-size models of Napoleonic soldiers in colourful period uniforms. Read about the ‘Princetown Massacre’ when the guards fired on rioting Americans captured during the War of 1812, killing nine and wounding over thirty more. Long outdated means of controlling unruly prisoners including manacles, straightjacket and the dreaded flogging apparatus are on display. Tough measures were required to control the toughest of men. Then admire the beautiful hand - made models and paintings produced by convicts and cringe at the crude but lethal weapons they also made, knuckledusters’ for example, ‘chivs’ (slashing weapons) and realistic firearms made of wood.

French and American prisoners of war were issued with a woollen hat, jacket, trousers, and canvas shoes with wooden soles all of which were renewed every 18 months. We have a model of an early convict wearing a khaki jacket, trousers and a ‘forage’ cap stamped with the distinctive black arrows we are all familiar with. Their boots had studs arranged in the shape of an arrow which left an imprint everywhere they walked and helped warders track down escapees. Prison clothing today is very informal and for good behaviour inmates are permitted to wear their own clothes.