Unidentified photographer / artist, 1882, July, The Convict Office at Scotland Yard, Magazine page, Google Books, LL/35033
Unidentified photographer / artist 1882, July The Convict Office at Scotland Yard
Magazine page Google Books Published in the article "The Metropolitan Police" by M. Laing Meason in "Macmillan's Magazine", Volume 46, July 1882, p.200.
Amongst other details worthy of praise connected with our police force, that of what is called the convict office in Scotland Yard, is particularly so. The executives of this office, consist of eight officers under a chief inspector, and it forms part of the Department of the Director of Criminal Investigations. Here are kept criminally classified albums of photographs and masks of all convicts discharged on license, and of all persons who are under police supervision. Their antecedents are further recorded in the register together with such particulars as to their conduct while on license as can be gathered in the periodical visits which are ordered. Nothing can be more orderly, more methodical, or more exact, than the manner in which all the documents of this office are kept; and the civility of those in charge leaves nothing to be desired. It has not been fairly at work for more than two years; but it has already been of the greatest assistance to the police. Moreover, those who have been the victims of any criminal offence, have now the opportunity of identifying the delinquent. Amongst the criminal classes, this office is looked upon as a great obstacle in their professional career.1
1 Branch offices of this kind are shortly to be established in all the large towns throughout the kingdom.
