Hazard's Register of Pennsylvania Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828 Excerpt: ...550 cells; and one sentinel or watchman is found sufficient to guard 400 prisoners, and to prevent communication between them. The space in front of the cells forms a complete sounding gallery; so that a watchman in the open area on the ground can hear even a whisper from a distant cell in the upper story. Such are the provisions and precautions for the separate confinement of the prisoners at night. In the day time, they are compelled to labour together, in an orderly and penitential manner. Soon after day light, on a signal given by the prison bell, the turnkeys unlocks the doors of the cells, when the convicts, each with his night tub, water can, and mush kid, march out; and having disposed of these articles according to the order of the prison, proceed to the workshops, where they begin the labour of the day. At a fixed hour another bell is rang, when the convicts form -gain in a line, and march in perfect silence, with closed files, to the mess room, where they sit down to breakfast, at narrow tables, so airanged, that they are placed with their backs to each other, and are unable to exchange even looks or signs. After an interval of from 20 to 30 minutes, they are marched back in the same manner as before to the workshops. At 12 o'clock dinner takes place, to which the convict a marched as at breakfast, and the same care is taken to prevent intercourse. On the approach of night, the convicts wash their faces and hands, and, then, at the ringing of the yard bell, form a line in their proper places, according to the number of their cells, march out of the shops to their rows of tubs, and at the word of command take them up, step forward and empty into the drain the water which had been placed in them in the morning to purify them. They then proceed...