The Suffragettes in Holloway Prison

Holloway Prison, now closed, was the main prison where women deemed as criminals would be sent to, including many suffragettes and women activists.

Many suffragettes were force fed during their stays at Holloway as they went on hunger strikes as a way of continued protesting in prison. This was mostly done through a tube in the nose or the particularly painful method of a tube through the throat to the stomach. The Prisoners Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health Act 1913 was often used in order to discharge such prisoners who took part in hunger strikes. However this usually led to a 'cat and mouse' type situation where the police, after discharging the prisoner, would then follow up and re-arrest them in an ongoing cycle. Despite this, women continued with their actions for their movement, determined to overcome the difficulties for the ultimate result of gaining the vote.


The conditions of the stay for the women were measly and quite degrading as they were stripped of their identities, only to be known by their prisoner numbers, they were left with little to no privacy. With strip searches, inspections and work roles, their days were tiresome and strenuous, making the starvation for some women unbearable. For instance, a woman called Kitty Marion used screaming to combat the force feeding and to get through the pain. Also another inmate Rachel Peace was not so lucky as she 'lost her mind' due to her imprisonment.


There was a perverse treatment towards inmates, particularly in the case of Margaret Thompson, who facing a disability which made her small and frail was force fed and treated extremely harshly. After 10 days of what she called 'incredible suffering', she was released due to her being a 'physical wreck'.


The treatment faced by many women in Holloway was inhumane and would definitely not be allowed in today's society, presenting the extent in which the Suffragette Movement impacted the life of women today as they paved a better future for women through their suffering and perseverance.

During our visit to Holloway Prison, we met a staff member who gave us a deeper insight into the prison, without revealing any classified information. We have altered their voice for the sake of anonymity.

Holloway prison was originally opened as a mixed prison in 1852, but was later turned into a female only prison due to the high demand for female prisoner space. Over the years the prison has held many famous inmates ranging from Oscar Wilde to Christabel Pankhurst. There were also five executions by hanging of inmates from Holloway Prison, the last being Ruth Ellis in 1955. These prisoners were buried in the prison walls in unmarked graves, however the former four of the remains were moved to a grave at Brookwood Cemetery.
With many prisoners feeling unsafe recently, the prison was deemed unsatisfactory to continue being used as it was said to lack the modernity and safety, with 35 cases of self harm a week and most inmates suffering from mental health issues. The prison was closed in 2015 due to these reasons.