Working Through It

A free exhibition at the National Justice Museum exploring the history and future of work in prisons, from punishment to rehabilitation.

This exhibition traces how prison work has changed since the 1895 Gladstone committee recommended labour should be productive rather than pointless punishment. It examines how work has been used for moral and physical regeneration, skills training and preparing prisoners for employment, while also generating profits for prisons and private companies despite prisoners being paid below minimum wage and excluded from UK labour law protections. Visitors are invited to reflect on the past and consider whether prison work should focus on rehabilitation, well-being and building a more inclusive society. The exhibition was created in partnership with Novus, Bamboo Bicycle Club and HMP Lowdham Grange.