Illicit prisoner rings

The rings were crafted by prisoners, onsite in the metal workshop at Fremantle Prison. It is unknown if the rings were crafted purely with a symbolic purpose in mind; perhaps to convey status to the wearer or to identify a group within the prison system, or if they a practical use as a weapon, perhaps as a form of attack or defence in physical altercations between prisoners. Further research may confirm their exact purpose and their makers. Further research may also identify what found materials were utilised, and what machines, tools and techniques were used to craft them from found and discarded materials.

Prisoner rings have been identified in other Australian and overseas prison museum contexts, crafted from found materials such as metal, plastic and metal however these examples are unique in the Fremantle Prison collection, where artworks, sculpture and furniture made by prisoners are far more common.

The confiscation of these rings would have reinforced the power-structure of the prison system, which prohibited individualisation. The rings reflect the theme of the individual in the prison system, and the lengths people will go to and creativity they will employ to create jewellery and artwork out of found materials in a prison environment.