Note 72 — Chapter IV · THE BEGINNINGS OF PRISON REFORM.

Dance’s Newgate was commenced before Howard’s ‘State of Prisons’ was published, and was very properly condemned as defective by him and others. In the volume from which I am quoting its defects are fully detailed. Everything was sacrificed to the one idea of safe custody. To secure this, the “airing courts were enclosed by lofty impenetrable buildings, by which the general salubrity and ventilation of the interior became materially diminished.” By the arrangement of the courts it was impracticable to preserve a judicious system of separation. No sleeping cells were provided, and, as we know, the prisoners passed the night associated together in crowded rooms. No inspection was possible. On these accounts the Prison Discipline Society were of opinion that Newgate was “particularly objectionable as a model for imitation, ... a remark not deserving the less attention because the exterior of the prison presents a massive and imposing elevation which is calculated to excite impressions in favour of its security and seclusion.”