The model prison at Penton ville was planned with a view to embrace every improvement that modern science could suggest. It is ',laved in an elevated and airy situation, well adapted fur such a building, and for securing the health of the prisoners. The Ibllowing description will show the general principle adopted in its construction.
The i'outidarv-wail is of a height above the ground suffi cient to preclude all chance of escape by climbing, and the foundation of such a depth as to prevent undermining in the course of a single night. It presents an even, smooth surface on Loth sides. A clear space is preserved on the outside of the boundary, that no erection may be made against it, and that the exterior may be open to inspection ; and in like manner the prison-wings are not connected with it, but a clear space preserved round the interior. There is only one gateway in this external which is placed imme diately opposite the eutrance-door, opening into an enclosed court-yard. The gate being retired a little, it is deemed will be of advantage in affording the means of defending it through loop-holes made in the side-walls, should attempts be made to force it during riots or popular excitement. Accommodation is afforded within the prison walls for offi cers, in detached houses. The prison is entered by a broad passage, leading through the entrance-building to the central hall, on the sides of which are convenient apartments for turnkey, male and female superintendents, and surgeon, and a mess-room for the officers, together with a room for the magistrates, and an office for the governor. These last rooms look into a eentral-hall, and command a view of the interior or the prison ; there are likewise staircases leading to the basement, infirmary-, and chapel. The basement of the entrance-building contains reeelition-cells, a cleansing-room for males, a fumigating oven disinfecting prisoners, clothes; store-rooms fig clothing; and prison stores, such as bedding, &e.; water-closet ; and a room for the steward or prison-officer employed about the kitchen and store depart ments. A portion of the upper part of this entrance•building is appropriated as a chapel, and the remainder as an infir mary, or convalescent-rooms—the former entering into the central hall, and the latter entirely detached from the rest of the prison by a partition-wall, being a separate staircase from the passage below. The central hall, as before explained, opens front the floor to the roof, and is used as the principal station of the officers engaged in carrying on the discipline of the prison. A gallery—which is a continuation of that into which the prison-rooms or cells open—runs round the central hall, about ten feet above the floor, affording access to the chapel and all the wings, staircases being placed in convenient situations communicating with it. The windows of the hall overlook the airing-yards, and the greater part of the space within the boundary wall. The general kitchen of the prison, the bread-room, scullery, coal-cellar, and an apparatus for cooking, and for ventilating and warming the entranee-building, are situated in the basement under the central hall, and a small portion of the adjacent wings. The prison-wings, as before explained, radiate from the central hall, an open passage or corridor being designed to run longi tudinally through the centre of each; and the prison-rooms, or cells, open into the corridor ; these being ranged in three stories. 'I he lower range is on the level of the floor of the corridor and hall ; the tipper ranges open upon a narrow gallery attached to the wall, which is continued round the central hall, as already explained. At the farther extremity
of each prison-wing, a flight of steps, covered by a trap-doer, lead to the punishment cell:, which are placed in the meat. In the centre of each wing, a circular iron staircase is designed to communicate with the galleries, and continued into the store-rooms below. In addition to the stores and ventilating apparatus, placed in the basement, under the centre of each prison-wing is a large bath, the use of which is essentially conducive to the health of' the prisoners. The general dimensions of the cells are about 13 feet long by 7 broad ; 9 or 10 feet high to the under side of the arched ceiling. It is deemed desirable that the length should greatly exceed the breadth, as this allbrds a better opportu nity of taking exercise, and ffieilitates the unobserved inspec tion of the interior. The partitions between the cells are not less than IS inches in thickness, thereby precluding, as much as possible the transmission of sound between adjoining cells. The external walls are two bricks and a half thick, or two feet of stone; the internal walls next the corridor or passage, two bricks thick, or IS inches of stone ; the flues are 12 by 5 inches, and are worked in the corridor-wall and the external wall for ventilation. The windows of the cells are placed close under the arch, and have stone sills. The iron •indow-frame is a fixture let into a groove, with proper rebates for the glass, which is unpolished. The general dimensions of the windows are about 3 feet 6 inches long, and not exceeding 11 inches in breadth. For additional security, a strong wrought-iron bar is placed outside the window-frame, in the direction of its length, so as to divide the opening into two portions of about 5 inches each. The cells have single doors, the fratne of which is of oak, G inches by 5 ; the doors, 2 inches thick, of deal, framed flush on both sides ; the edges covered with felt, to prevent noise in the transmission of sound ; a strong iron plating is on the side next the cell, riveted through, and the doors are hung with strong 44-inch butt hinges, and fastened with a spring lock and latch; a bevelled aperture is cut for the inspection slide ; and a trap-door, 6 by 9, is fixed in the door for passing pro visions through, and which is hung on two centres, so as to form a shelf when let down ; it is fitted with a strong bottom thumb-bolt, to secure it in its place. The outer door next the corridor is hung with 41-inch butt hinges, working on centres, the object being that the door may be opened without noise, for inspection ; the edge is covered with felt, and shuts into a rebate in the door frame, flush with the wall. For every cell there are suitable means provided for a constant supply of fresh water, and for necessary relief; without entailing unwholesome smells. The exercise of prisoners in the open air, without compromising individual separation, is thus obtained. The airing-yards radiate from a central point, round which is placed a dark passage, aflIalling an inspection into each yard. The advantage of a dark passage is, that it Izteilitates close and unobserved inspection. The yards have open railings at both extremities, in order to allow a free circulation of air; and they are so constructed that no two prisoners can see each other. A small roof is attached to the division-walls, to affin•l shelter when necessary : and the position of the yards with reference to the doors in the centre of the prison-wings, gives a ready means of access from the cells.