The Mazaruni Penal Settlement, Essequibo

The Mazaruni Penal Settlement is located at the intersection of the Mazaruni and Essequibo Rivers. The official impetus to create the facility began around 1841 and completed in stages. The facility contained cells (10 feet x 15 feet) for the male and female prisoners, guards housed at each end of the cells, superintendent quarters, kitchen spaces, hospital, chapel, observatory tower, and a work area to process quarry materials. At the time of completion the prison was able to accommodate seventy-one prisoners. The name "Settlement" suggested a goal to be a self-sufficient and socially-organized space. Life on the Settlement was regimented - prisoners wore partially processed cotton (Calico) clothing, were allowed two minutes to wash themselves in the river, and received half-a-pound of bread with a pint of molasses and water for supper. Prisoners processed rocks from the nearby quarry to be used for road-building. The Amerindian villages around the area would assist in the capture of escaped prisoners as there was substantial reward. The sketches and images show scenes from the Mazaruni Penal Settlement in British Guiana.

Image 01 - Prisoners breaking stones (1888).

Image 02 - Prisoners going to bathe (1888).

Image 03 - A prisoner (1888).

Image 04 - A prison warden (1888).

Image 05 - View of the penal settlement from the river (1888).

Image 06 - The Chapel (1895).

Image 07 - Discharged convicts waiting for the boat (1895).

Image 08 - View of the penal settlement (1898).

Image 09 - View of the penal settlement (1898).

Image 10 - Warden quarters (1905).

Image 11 - The Cottage, Superintendent's house (1905).

Image 12 - View of the penal settlement from the river (1910).

Image 13 - The landing stage (1912).

Image 14 - The landing stage (1915).

Image 15 - Perspective view of the penal settlement (1921).

Image 16 - Perspective view of the penal settlement (1921).

Sources

[Image 01] - Illustrated News of London, England, 1888-05-12.
[Image 02] - Illustrated News of London, England, 1888-05-12.
[Image 03] - Illustrated News of London, England, 1888-05-12.
[Image 04] - Illustrated News of London, England, 1888-05-12.
[Image 05] - Illustrated News of London, England, 1888-05-12.
[Image 06] - Unknown.
[Image 07] - Illustrated News of London, England, 1895.
[Image 08] - H.K.L von Ziegesar, Georgetown, British Guiana, 1898.
[Image 09] - Unknown.
[Image 10] - H.P. Kaps Jeweller, Georgetown, Demerara, 1905.
[Image 11] - H.K.L von Ziegesar, Georgetown, British Guiana, 1905.
[Image 12] - Unknown.
[Image 13] - Unknown.
[Image 14] - H.P. Kaps Jeweller, Georgetown, Demerara, 1915.
[Image 15] - UK National Archives, 1921.
[Image 16] - UK National Archives, 1921.


Bibliography

• History of the early development of the Mazaruni Penal Settlement (Stabroek News)
• Early history of Penal Settlement Mazaruni (1842-1853) (Stabroek News)