The San Francisco Examiner - Sunday, June 9, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
WHERE WILDE IS
TREADING WIND.
Stamped With a Broad Arrow
and Fed on Mush, He
Turns the Wheel.
Pentonville, the Prison Where the
Poet Is Confined, and How It Is
Regarded by Convicts.
AMERICAN JAIL A HOTEL BESIDE IT.
Men
Who Have Tried Both Say That a
California Prison Is Better Than
Living on the Outside.
Of all these prisons the most famous, from the fact that it has sheltered more than the usual number of famous crooks within its walls, is Pentonville Prison, or, as it is better known, the "Model" prison of all England. Within it is now confined Oscar Wilde, poet, playwright, and felon, and it is now, for that reason alone, a curiosity in the criminal world. It is, further, a fair example of the average English prison.
Of all these prisons, the most famous from the fact that it has sheltered more than the usual number of famous crooks within its walls, is Pentonville Prison, or, as it is better known, the "Model" prison of all England. Within it is now confined Oscar Wilde, poet, playwright and felon, and it is now, for that reason alone, a curiosity in the criminal world. It is, further, a fair sample of the average English prison.
Of all the prisons, the most famous from the fact that it has sheltered more than the usual number of famous crooks within its walls, is Pentonville Prison, or, as it is better known, the "Model" prison of all England. Within it is now confined Oscar Wilde, poet, playwright and felon, and it is now, for that reason alone, a curiosity in the criminal world. It is, further, a fair sample of the average English prison.
The most famous prison, from the fact that it has sheltered more than the usual number of famous crooks within its walls, is Pentonville Prison, or, as it is better known, the "Model" prison of all England. Within it is now confined Oscar Wilde, poet, playwright, and felon, and it is now, for that reason alone, a curiosity in the criminal world. It is, further, a fair example of the average English prison.
The most famous English prison, from the fact that it has sheltered more than the usual number of famous crooks within its walls, is Pentonville prison, or, as it is better known, the "Model" prison of all England. Within it is now confined Oscar Wilde, poet, playwright and felon, and it is now, for that reason alone, a curiosity in the criminal world.
Pentonville Prison is a series of buildings walled around with insane asylym-like windows. Entrance is gained through a portcullis gateway, with a square porch flanked by a square clock tower. It requires a Government order to inspect the prison, but any one interested in the confinement of convicts has no trouble in gaining the necessary permit at the Home Office of the English Prison Department at Whitehall, S.W.
Pentonville Prison is a series of buildings walled all around with insane asylum-like windows. Entrance is gained through a portcullis gateway, with a square porch flanked by a square clock tower. It requires a Government order to inspect the prison, but any one interested in the confinement of convicts has no trouble in gaining the necessary permit at the Home Office of the English Prison Department at Whitehall, S. W.
Pentonville Prison is a series of buildings walled all around with insane asylum-like windows. Entrance is gained through a portcullis gateway, with a square porch flanked with by a square clock tower. It requires a Government order to inspect the prison, but anyone interested in the confinement of convicts has no trouble in gaining the necessary permit at the Home Office of the English Prison Department at Whitehall, S. W.
To the observer there is none of that horrible semi-darkness of the interior of an American prison. The main feature in the center structure seems to be an effort to gain a bright, cheerful and airy building. Even the windows do not partake of the barred and grated style so apparent in America. The frames of all the windows are of cast steel, but the window frames themselves are made so small as to serve as light givers and safeguards as well.
To the observer there is none of that horrible semi-darkness of the interior of an American prison. The main feature in the center structure seems to be an effort to gain a bright, cheerful and airy building. Even the windows do not partake of the barred and grated style so apparent in America. The frames of all the windows are cast steel, but the window frames themselves are made so small as to serve as light givers and safeguards as well.
To the observer there is none of that horrible semi-darkness of the interior of an American prison. The main feature in the centre structure seems to be an effort to gain a bright, cheery and airy building. Even the windows do not partake of the barred and grated style so apparent in America. The frames of all the windows are of cast steel, but the window frames themselves are made so small as to serve as light givers and safeguards as well.
The cells are 13 feet long, 6 by 7 feet in width and 9 feet in height. Some of them contain looms for carpet weaving, but in that case the cells are nearly twice as large as the ordinary ones. Against the wall on one side is placed a bright copper hand basin with a water faucet near it. A small closet well supplied with water pipes occupies one corner of the cell. A shaded gas jet is in a convenient point in the wall, while there are shelves for the spoon, platter, mug and soap box of the prisoner nailed upon the wall at one side of the door.
The cells are 13 feet long, 6 by 7 feet in width and 9 feet in height. Some of them contain looms for carpet weaving, but in that case the cells are nearly twice as large as the ordinary ones. Against the wall on one side is placed a bright copper hand basin with a water faucet near it. A small closet well supplied with water pipes occupies one corner of the cell. A shaded gas jet is in a convenient point in the wall while there are shelves for the spoons, platter, mug and soap box of the prisoner nailed upon the wall at one side of the door.
The cells are thirteen feet long, six by seven feet in width and nine feet in height. Some of them contain looms for carpet weaving, but in that case the cells are nearly twice as large as the ordinary ones. Against the wall on one side is placed a bright copper hand basin with a water faucet near it. A small closet well supplied with water pipes occupies one corner of the cell. A shaded gas jet is in a convenient point in the wall, while there are shelves for the spoon, platter, mug and soap box of the prisoner nailed upon the wall at one side of the door.
During the day the upper of these shelves is used for the rolled up hammock of the prisoner and his bedding. When night comes the hammock is slung about three feet from the ground to iron braces set in the walls of the cell, which gives the advantage of a good bed and one that does not take up room in the daytime. A little table and a stool makes up the remainder of the furniture of each cell, while on the walls of each is placed the rules of the prison, which convicts must carefully obey.
During the day the upper of these shelves is used for the rolled up hammock of the prisoner and his bedding. When night comes the hammock is slung about three feet from the ground to iron braces set in the walls of the cell, which gives the advantage of a good bed and one that does not take up room in the daytime. A little table and a stool makes up the remainder of the furniture of each cell, while on the walls of each is placed the rules of the prison, which convicts must carefully obey.
During the day the upper of these shelves is used for the rolled-up hammock of the prisoner and his bedding. When night comes the hammock is slung about three feet from the floor to iron bars set in the walls of the cell, which gives the advantage of a good bed and one that does not take up room in the daytime. A little table and a stool make up the remainder of the furniture of each cell, while on the walls of each is placed the rules of the prison, which convicts must carefully obey.
The prison garb of a drab canvas, shot plentifully with broad arrows, is fully as beautiful as the drab and pale yellow striped cloth of the New York State prison convicts at Dannemora, Auburn or Sing Sing. With each suit is furnished two changes of plain white cloth underclothes, a Scotch cap and heavy cowhide shoes.
The prison garb, of a drab canvas, shot plentifully with broad arrows, is fully as beautiful as the drab and pale yellow striped cloth of the New York State Prison convicts at Dannemora, Auburn or Sing Sing. With each suit is furnished two changes of plain white cloth underclothes, a Scotch cap and heavy cowhide shoes.
The prison garb of a drab canvas, shot plentifully with broad arrows, is fully as beautiful as the drab and pale yellow striped cloth of the New York State Prison convicts at Danemora, Auburn or Sing Sing. With each suit is furnished two changes of plain white cloth underclothes, a Scotch cap and heavy cowhide boots.
All convicts in Pentonville prison are known as soon as they become prisoners by numbers. If a man before he became a prisoner bore the proudest title in the peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales, he becomes upon his entrance to the institution only a number. He is A 2174 or B 5051, as the case may be, and he must wear at his breast at all times a big brass badge bearing his number.
All convicts in Pentonville Prison are known as soon as they become prisoners by numbers. If a man before he became a prisoner bore the proudest title in the peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales, he becomes upon his entrance to the institution only a number. He is A 2174 or B 5051, as the case may be, and he must wear at his breast at all times a big brass badge bearing his number.
All convicts in Pentonville Prison are known as soon as they become prisoners by numbers. If a man before he became a prisoner bore the proudest title in the peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales, he becomes upon his entrance to the institution only a number. He is A 2,174 or B 5,051, as the case may be, and he must wear at his breast at all times a big brass badge bearing this number.
"Look out there, A 2174," sings out a guard when addressing a prisoner. And all through the prison life of a convict only this number is used. It would puzzle even the Warden of the prison to tell the name of a prisoner without reference to the records upon which opposite his name and number, stands the Christian and surname of the convict.
"Look out there, A 2174," sings out a guard when addressing a prisoner. And all through the prison life of a convict only this number is used. It would puzzle even the warden of the prison to tell the name of a prisoner without reference to the records upon which, opposite his name and number, stands the Christian and surname of the convict.
"Look out there, A 2,174," sings out a guard when addressing a prisoner. And all through the prison life of a convict only this number is used. It would puzzle even the Warden of the prison to tell the name of a prisoner without reference to the records upon which, opposite his name and number, stands the Christian and surname of the convict.
In the prison there are four stages of service. In the first class the prisoner has to perform first-class hard labor for a certain number of hours in each day. That means he has to work in the treadmill or upon what is known as the "cranks."
In the prison there are four stages of service. In the first class the prisoner has to perform first-class hard labor for a certain number of hours in each day. That means he has to work in the treadmill or upon what is known as the "cranks."
In the prison there are four stages of service. In the first-class the prisoner has to perform first-class hard labor for a certain number of hours in each day. That means he has to work in the treadmill or upon what is known as the "cranks."
The treadmill, or treadwheel, is not a particularly useful machine. The prisoners call service upon it "treading the wind," and that is about what it is, for it seems to serve no useful purpose except to keep prisoners employed. The sole use the machine has is merely to keep a certain number of men employed when there isn't anything else for them to do.
The treadmill, or treadwheel, is not a particularly useful machine. The prisoners call service upon it "treading the wind," and that is about what it is, for it seems to serve no useful purpose, except to keep prisoners employed. The sole use the machine has is merely to keep a certain number of men employed when there isn't anything else for them to do.
The treadmill, or treadwell, is not a particularly useful machine. The prisoners call service upon it "treading the wind," and that is about what it is, for it seems to serve no useful purpose, except to keep prisoners employed. The sole use the machine has is merely to keep a certain number of men employed when there isn’t anything else for them to do.
Each treadwheel or mill is so constructed that if necessary twenty-four men can be employed upon it at a time. The mill is divided into twenty-four little compartments or stalls. Each compartment is something less than twenty-four inches in width and is separated from the adjoining one by high wooden partitions. The mill is connected with a fan, which is so arranged as to give enough resistance to the mill to make the words "hard labor" mean what they say. There are twenty-four steps in the wheel, which are eight inches apart. This makes the circumference of the wheel sixteen feet. The wheel performs thirty revolutions in each quarter of an hour, and each man walks on an average of fifteen quarters of an hour a day. So he ascends something like 7,200 feet, or 2,400 yards, for a day's labor.
Each tread wheel or mill is so constructed that if necessary twenty-four men can be employed upon it at a time. The mill is divided into twenty-four little compartments or stalls. Each compartment is something less than twenty-four inches in width and is separated from the adjoining one by high wooden partitions. The mill is connected with a fan, which is so arranged as to give enough resistance to the mill to make the words "hard labor" mean what they say. There are twenty-four steps in the wheel, which are eight inches apart. This makes the circumference of the wheel sixteen feet. The wheel performs thirty revolutions in each quarter of an hour, and each man walks on an average fifteen quarters of an hour a day. So he ascends something like 7200 feet, or 2400 yards, for a day’s labor.
Each tread wheel or mill is so constructed that if necessary 24 men can be employed upon it at a time. The mill is divided into 24 little compartments, or stalls. Each compartment is some less than 24 inches in width, and is separated from the adjoining one by high wooden partitions. The mill is connected with a fan, which is so arranged as to give enough resistance to the mill to make the words "hard labor" mean what they say. There are 24 steps in the wheel, which are eight inches apart. This makes the circumference of the wheel 16 feet. The wheel performs 30 evolutions in each quarter of an hour, and each man walks on an average 15 quarters of an hour a day. So he ascends something like 7,200 feet, 2,400 yards, for a day's labor.
In the prison there are four stages of services. In the first class the prisoner has to perform first-class hard labor for a certain number of hours in each day. That means he has to work in the treadmill or upon what is known as the "cranks." The treadmill, or treadwheel, is not a particularly useful machine. The prisoners call service upon it "treading the wind," and that is about what it is, for it seems to serve no useful purpose, except to keep prisoners employed when there isn't anything else for them to do. Each tread wheel or mill is so constructed that if necessary twenty-four men can be employed upon it at a time. The mill is divided into twenty-four little compartments or stalls. Each compartment is something less than twenty-four inches in width and is separated from the adjoining one by high wooden partitions. The mill is connected with a fan, which is so arranged as to give enough resistance to the mill to make the words "hard labor" mean what they say. There are twenty-four steps in the wheel, which are eight inches apart. This makes the circumference of the wheel sixteen feet. The wheel performs thirty revolutions in each quarter of an hour, and each man walks on an average of fifteen quarters of an hour a day. So he ascends something like 7,200 feet, or 2,400 yards, for a day's labor.
In case of physical inability to do treadmill or crank labor the convict is placed at second-class labor, which means the picking of oakum, stonebreaking and kindred pursuits. All a prisoner have to do is sit and pick from three to six pounds of old rope per day into oakum. The quantity picked into oakum in Pentonville prison will average about three and one-half tons a week. It is sold and brings in some return for the labor. In addition trades are taught in the prison which are usually akin to the useful arts.
In case of physical inability to do treadmill or crank labor, the convict is placed at second-class labor, which means the picking of oakum, stone-breaking and kindred pursuits. All a prisoner has to do is to sit and pick from three to six pounds of old rope per day into oakum. The quantity picked into oakum in Pentonville Prison will average about three and one-half tons a week. It is sold, and brings in some return for the labor. In addition, trades are taught in the prison which are usually akin to the useful arts.
In case of physical inability to do treadmill or crank labor, the convict is placed at second-class labor, which means the picking of oakum, stone-breaking and kindred pursuits. All a prisoner has to do is to sit and pick from three to six pounds of old rope per day into oakum. The quantity picked into oakum in Pentonville Prison will average about three and one half tons a week. It is sold, and brings in some return for the labor. In addition, trades are taught in the prison which are usually akin to the useful arts.
Punishments in Pentonville prison have been made into five classes. First comes the loss of advantage which the prisoner gets in being rated in classes. Then comes the transfer from the highest to the lowest class of servitude. Next comes fasting and a bread-and-water diet; and the next stage is confinement in a cell of correction. Lastly is ranked bodily chastisement, but this is limited to eighteen lashes to prisoners under eighteen years of age and thirty-six lashes to older men.
Punishment in Pentonville Prison have been made into five classes. First comes the loss of advantage which the prisoner gets in being rated in classes. Then comes the transfer from the highest to the lowest class of servitude. Next comes fasting and a bread and water diet, and the next stage is confinement in a cell of correction. Lastly is ranked bodily chastisement, but this is limited to eighteen lashes to prisoners under eighteen years of age and thirty-six lashes to older men.
Punishments in Pentonville Prison have been made into five classes. First comes the loss of advantage which the prisoner gets in being rated in classes. Then comes the transfer from the highest to the lowest class of servitude. Next comes fasting and a bread-and-water diet, and the next stage is confinement in a cell of correction. Lastly is ranked bodily chastisement, but this is limited to 18 lashes to prisoners under 18 years of age and 36 lashes to older men.