Litchfield enquirer., 1845-08-28
To the County Commissioner for Litchfeld | C0aur1fV.
County.

m the County, meeting of delegates from various towns of the County was held at Litchfeld, on the 10th of December last, for the purpose of ta- king into consideration the County Gaol, and for devisng measures to substitute new one, upon the plan which shall introduce labor into the sys tenn of imprisonment and discipline.
 After fully considering the bad condition of the present County Gaol and the improvements which have been recently introduced into other Counties, and their great utility and even necessity, it was 1 Resolued, That it is inconsistent with the virtue, intelligence and foresight of the people of this County, any longer to maintain Gaoi upon the plan ot the present County Gaol, where the innocent and guilty are confined together-where those who have preyed upon the community when at age are supported in dleness at the expense of those they have injured-where the young ottend- CT is under the immediate tuition of the old and experienced culprt-and where every facility Is afforded for new plans and combinations against the peace and welfare of community"
 l Andthe undersigned were thereupon appointed by said meeting, Committee to ascertain the proper location of a County Prison ard Work House, quantity of land necessary, plan and form of the | arrangement, and every other particular which we might deem necessary to form correct judgment of what the public interest might require-with an estimate of the cost and expenses, and of the ways and means by which the same might be ef- fected, and 10 make report to the County Commis- sioners, and copy to be transmitted to each Town Clerk in the County.
 Al the time of our appointment, it seemed tobe the general opinion that anew site, containing five or six acres of land, and a new set of buildings, would be expedient and necessary ; but, on care full examination and consideration of the subject, we are of the opinion, that as the present County House and Gao!, and the land belonging thereto, have cos: the County considerable sum, which was raised by taxes, and expended not many years since-as there may be considerable difficulty in selling the same at their value, or of exchanging them for another site, we have come to the conclu sion that the present location is the best, which, under all circumstances, can be obtained-that the quantity of land, after removing useless out-build ings. will be sufficient for the purpose contempla- ted-and, on turning our attention 10 the strong and we'll erected buildings, we believe such an al- teration be made thereof, as will fully effect ] the object in view, and furnish the County with most ample County Work House and Gaol, at very moderate expense, and within such means as ] the County Commissioners have at their control, viz-the one thousand dollars, which will be paid by the State, and about $sl2oO, now in the Coun- ty Treasury, and thus avoid the expensive and un- pleasant step of imposing Tax upon the County. The present Prison Building is three stories high, the two lower stories of stone, and the up- Pov of brick, The length north and south within tho walls IS o1 F-.,-s.''s IO0r--ot'i- ded into two rooms in each story. The whole height of the two lower stories is IT feet, which are of stone walls, feet thick, with brick wall oi one foot m thickness, on the outside thereof. The County House Tavern is stories high, l of brick walls. The eastern stone wall of the present Prison, may, in our opinion, be removed. and built about feet further east. The partition 1 walls between the north and south prison rooms, may be taken away, also the floor and ceilings be- 1 tween the first and second stories The two rooms in the 3d story, may be preserved entire for the confnem ent of Debtors, in one room, and the oth- CT for females, or for Hospital The lower floor of the Prison, which is wood, may he taken up, l ton. This would then leave an area within the prison walls, of 22 feet in height, 34 feet north and south, by g feet east and west. Within this area, might be erected on the west side thereof, three tier of ceRs, of six each, making eighteen in the whole, with the doors facing east Access to the upper tier of cells may be obtained by an iron ballustrade. In front of these doors. would be an area or room for Work Shop 34 feet by IT feet, and % feet in height The rooms, both cells and work shops, can be lighted by two large win dows on the south side, and one more of a suit able size the north side. If the cell doors are made as at other new prisons, of open iron work,
 it would afford sufficient light, and free circula- tion of air. The shop and cells could be we'll warmed by box-stove in the area, with pipe running through most of its length. Flues for ventilating. may be formed in the of the cells. l As the west half of the west rooms in the two lower stories of the Tavern, would thus be appro- priated to the of the Prison, by this extension of the Prison walls further east it would leave the eastern half of those west rooms, to be used, if wished, for the Keepers office, lodging room, and store room-having his office in the centre. and door leading therefrom into the prison. An open ing might be made through the wall from the keepers lodging room, south of the office, and an- other near the north end, through which food might be handed from the kitchen 10 the prisoners. These two openings through the wall may always be kept secure hy an iron door.
 ly present the details ...-.....