The porter's lodge, which stands about 66 feet in front of the entrance-building, is also of rag, with Caen-stone dress ings, and contains accommodation for two families. Between the last-named building and the road, stand the two houses intended for the governor and chaplain, with large gardens attached.
The accommodation afforded in the prison is as follows— 436 with fourteen work-rooms, equal to ninety-six cells; offices for the governor, chaplain, surgeon, steward, clerks, &c. ; apartments for the surgeon and deputy-governor, and for master and two turnkeys in juvenile wino., matron and two turnkeys ill female wing. The ground, consisting of ten acres, is surrounded by a brick wall IS feet high with a strip of land '20 feet broad round its exterior.
The prison is built upon land originally purchased by the City for the purposes of a cemetery during the raging of the cholera in 1S32. It is a little to the westward of the 11 olio way-road, upon the side of a hill, having a declivity of feet in 100. Previous to the commencement of the works, the City authorities entered into an arrangement with the com missioners of sewers, who built a new sewer for the purpose of securing good drainage for the prison.
The building has been erected from the design and under the able superintendence of Mr. Bunning, the City architect. Mr. Jay is the contractor employed ; Mr Lawrie, the clerk of the works.
The original estimate for the building was £92,203 ; but the considered that sum too large, and orders were given to out it down. The pruning knife was applied, and
it was reduced to the extent of El-1,635. The contract now stands as follows :—Buildin,7s, £77,055; warming, ventila ting. water-pilies, gas fittings, locks, bells, cooking apparatus, laundry fittings, forming the fittings and furniture, about £14000; so that, after allowing for an V additions the corporation may think proper to make, the expense of the whole may lie called something under £100.000.
Prison-diseipline is a problem the wisest of our legislators have not been aide to solve. When Pentonville prison was erected, it was thought that complete separation, by its severity, would lessen crime. The result, however, has scarcely justified the belief. The government have had ample opportunity of funning an opinion upon the inerits of the separate system ; consequently, within the last twelve months, some relaxation has Lisa inade, and about 10 per cent, as we mulerstand, are now in association.
With so many perplexing opinions before them, the City authorities were at a loss upon what principle to arrange their prison, they adopted a middle course, and they have now the means of confining the vicious in separate cells ; and have a sufficient number of work-rooms for classified associate in.
It is expected that this prison will be ready for occupation in the early part of the year 1S52. L'ailder, IS51.