Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-06-26
Prisons and Prison Affairs,

One of the editors ofihe N. Y. Independenf
has visited The new City PRISON in Boston;
and the following description which we
cory from that paper, shows the building
aud lis arrangements TO be an honor 10 the
City of Boston, and worthy Of becoming a
model for the const struc,ions Of prisons in 9th.
er cities and states.
We visited the other day in Boston. the
new City Prison, building just completed
al the cost of some three hundred thous and
dollars. and soon 10 be fully occupied in place
OF the Leyeret; street Jail, SO long the terror
of civic delinquents. Tie new e,lifice has
been erected from the plans mainly of Rev.
Louls Dwight, widely known and indefatira.
gable Secretary OF The Prison Discipline So
ciety in Boston. II is noble monument of
his wisdom and humanity; and his pracli-
cal Skill IN the arrangement of such strnc-
rures. Any man might be proud 10 have hi.
name associated with il. f sI
The building stands on the city lands near
Cambridge street, in large open qnadran-
gle. Ii is very noble and graceful; the hioh
arched windows, and the constant regard TO
the beauty and majesty of architectural pro.
portion, making it attractive as well as i'm,
posing, and hardly preparing one for the
iron and inevitable strength that he confronrs
within. The interior arrangement embrac-
es three wings, each containing two parallel
corridors, and being five stories in height,
and all opening at right angles from large
and lofty square in the centre. The latter
serves as GIardroom, and contributes es-
senially to the ventilation of the building
II might be used as work.room in case of
necessity. The building contains Two hun
dred and twenty cells; each OF these can be
divided into TWO when such an addition shall
become necessary; and the whole structure
can be readily and greatly enlarged by The
extension of the wings Ii has chapel ca.
pable OF accommodating three hundred per-
sons. The cells are so arranged that differ.
ent classes of prisoners are placed altogether
by themselves; the Juvenile offenders in one
range, those detained 10 give evidence in
pending trials in another; very airy and
lightsome; the debtors in another the hard-
ened offenders in 3n0Ihtr more heavily
barred and grated, and less frequently visited
with the cheeriuness OF the sunshine: the
female prisoners in another. There are
'privilege.rooms' too, where prisoners who
conduct well may occasionally confer with
their counsel or converse with their friends.
Yet the whole is at once and completely un-
der the eye of the keeper from his room. or
of the armed guards in The centre.
The advantages aimed at and seemingly
aimed in the building arc:-ease and con
siancy of supervision perfect ventilation
OF every cell. and the constant access of light
and mir so all the inmates, unless they are
forfeited by disobedieuce; thorough classi-
hcation of the prisoners; the entire separa-
lion o. the keepers house from the jail-build-
ing, while yet it is Immediately contiguous
and his facilities for inspection are COM
pleIe; capacity for enlargement TO any need
ed extent, without alteration in the plan Of
the building or any marring of its unity
All these. with chenpn. IS, permanence, in.
comhustlblliy, and perfect security. We
have visited quite number of the celebrated
prisons in this country, but have never before
seen one so evidently and beautifully adapt-
ed 10 us purposes; combining so many and
much distinguished advantages. Why NAV
we not have such an one in this city, in
place of that abominable receptacle and nur-
sery OF every vice, the Tombs And why
should not and why nray not more attention
and eff"rt be given by Christian men 10 the
construction and the regulation of these nec-
es>ary appendages OF organized society ?
these huIresses of civilza lion, standing out
side of its structures, hut indispensable TO
their support? il is deep conviction with
US, and it was greatly strengthened last week
in Our visit TO This new and admirable prison
that Christians have a duty to perform to-
wards the criminal which they have been
slow TO recognize, and slower to discharge !;
and that vast amount of good may be ac-
cOmplshed in this department BY those who
are humble, intelligent and faithful. The
subject is a large one and we shall hone 10
return to it more fully hereafter.