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‘Dorham Jail’ by Tommy Armstrong. Taken from Song Book Containing 25 Popular Songs of the late Thomas Armstrong, compiled by W.H.Armstrong, (DUL ref Pam L 828.4).

 Tommy Armstrong: the Pitman and Poet

If you haven’t already done so, read the source very carefully before answering the following questions. A transcript is available and there is a worksheet for you to use to record your thoughts.

1. Why did Tommy Armstrong write this poem?

2. What does the poem tell us about life in Durham Jail? Think about food, work, clothing and living conditions.

3. Does Tommy Armstrong think that prison is an effective way of punishing criminals? What do you think?

4. Is the poem reliable as a source of evidence in describing conditions in Durham Prison?

5. Is this poem useful as source of evidence in describing conditions in Durham Prison?

This source could also be used as the basis for a literacy exercise, which can be found here.

Go to the literacy taskGo to the previous task