Tuesday, March 25, 2014 - Another fun SIS PTA outing... a private tour with our large group of 25 people. Our tour guide was witty and entertaining. Definitely recommend this 'off-the-beaten-path' tour!
Långholmen literally translates to 'long island', accessible by a short walk over the Pålsund bridge from the island of Sodermalm. The island is known for its large grassy, tree
shaded park along the shore of Lake Mälaren, thanks to the work of prisoners who planted 3000 trees. Yes, at one time, Långholmen was home to Sweden's largest prison with 700 cells.
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| 'from crimes to fetter'... yes, I had to look up fetter = chain or shackle |
History -
1724-1827 - A 'spinning house' contained prostitutes and street 'riff-raff' and kept them out of trouble by spinning yarn. Wonder if this is where
the fairy tale originated?
1840-1846 - Långholmen
prison was built based on the American prison system (so proud of the American import). The prison philosophy: hard labor
(stone quarry, machine shop, printing, book binding, carpentry, tailoring, mattress fabrication, envelope production, etc.), no booze, isolation and Bible studies.
It
didn't take long to recognize the problem with dressing prisoners in
worn out military uniforms, the prisoners were easily confused for
guards. A basic grey uniform was designed for the inmates.
1890 - Last
woman executed. She had orchestrated a marriage between her son and a
wealthy young woman. After eight months of marriage she and her son
murdered the young woman to collect her wealth. Ick-factor... she and her son had a relationship that was closer than it should have been.
1910 - Last
execution in Sweden. A guillotine was imported from France, it cost 3000
kronor ($450) at the time. To clear customs it needed a name (apparently guillotine was not an option), 'harvest
machine' was the result...
1921 - Death sentence was officially abolished.
1956 - Långholmen 'officially' closed.
1975 - It took almost 20 years to phase out to the actual closing, the buildings suffered break-ins, vandalism and squatters.
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| after closing, before renovation |
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| exercise yard, before renovation |
Since 1989 - Långholmen is a lovely hotel with a kitschy prison theme (single, double or family cell!), hostel and conference center. Available team building exercises include prisoner for a day and prison escape. Special events (corporate or private) or book your wedding!
Långholmen's Inn, the formal restaurant, and the more casual Finkan Pub both serve lunch (yummy!) and dinner along with afternoon tea and Sunday brunch.
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| guest 'cell' |
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| Alcatraz on a small, 'civil' scale |
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| hostel showers - love the graphic |
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| mailbag stencil |
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| prisoners produced mailbags |
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| mask worn by prisoners before sentencing, protected identity in case they were pronounced innocent (1870-1935) |
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| love the long key... so as not to get too close to the prisoners?! |
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| After 1945 prison administration relaxed a bit allowing prisoners to have a cupboard in their cell to store personal belongings. The cupboard door was a 'guest book' for occupants. |
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| true to good Scandinavian design, during the day the bed converted to a table |
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| prison door peep-hole |
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| escape ladder made from sheets... the prisoner was caught on the bridge (i.e. he was slow) |
