The Pennsylvania Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy (Vol. IV, No. II, April 1849)Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons
History
The Pennsylvania Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy (Vol. IV, No. II, April 1849)
Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons
Charities -- Periodicals; Prisons -- Periodicals
“At present,” says our correspondent, “they have only erected a main or
centre building and one wing. The whole length of this building is 234
feet. Main building 86 by 60 feet. Wing 148 by 32 feet, terminated by a
building 37 feet square. The basement of stone, 10 feet in the clear,
walls above of brick. The basement in the main building is intended for
the culinary department; that in the wing for wash-rooms, bathing-room
and workshops. The first and second floors of the main building are
divided into four rooms, with suitable closets, and three halls, with
staircases. The main hall in the centre is 15 feet wide; side halls to
communicate with the wings 12 feet wide. The rooms on the first floor
of the main building are intended for superintendent, matron, &c. The
rooms on second story for hospitals and sleeping-rooms for the officers
of the institution. The upper or third story of main building is
intended for a chapel, 60 by 60 feet, the entrance to which is from the
side hall.
“The first story of the wing is divided into two rooms for school and
dining rooms, each 70 by 30 feet. In second story of wing are the
dormitories for the inmates, two tiers in height, and 86 in number,
arranged next the outside wall. Hall 15 feet wide in the centre. Each
dormitory is 7½ feet wide and 7½ feet high, and is furnished with a
narrow window reaching from floor to ceiling. Dormitory doors are of
cast-iron open work for summer ventilation, allowing the air to pass
directly across the building; in addition, each dormitory is supplied
with fresh air, descending from the cornice by iron pipes, and passing
through the iron doors. This building is surrounded by a stone wall,
to two feet at the top, 23 feet from the foundation, and 20 feet above
ground. The wall is 500 feet long and 400 feet wide, embracing about
4½ acres of land, and cost $12,000. The building, as above described,
cost $26,000. The whole is a most perfect piece of workmanship in
every respect, built in the very best manner, and is considered a most
complete model for such a purpose.
“Attached are 40 acres of land, which it is intended the inmates shall
cultivate, thus affording them a healthy employment, and, at the same
time, furnishing a supply of vegetables, &c., to the institution. The
buildings are situated about a mile from the centre of business, in a
fine dry sandy soil.”
We had prepared a sketch of the proceedings at the opening of the State
Reform School in Massachusetts, and of the discipline, &c., prescribed
there, together with a view and ground plan of the buildings, but our
limits are so contracted as to forbid its appearance in the present
number.
ART. II.--MORTALITY AND CRIME.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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