Notes on the Buildings of Parkhurst Prison, 1910.

Visited 13th. July 1904, and once since.

Accommodation, 768 men in cells, and 50 more in five Hospital wards, total 818.

Daily average, 779.

Area of Estate 78½ acres; walled in 6¾ acres.

No. of Prisoners per acre accordingly 10, or 121.

This Prison, which was established as a Juvenile's Prison about 100 years ago, is beautifully situated, about 15 minutes drive along the Cowes road, north west of the Town of Newport, Isle of Wight.

The Barracks adjoin it on the south, and the Prison gate, which faces east, is approached by a handsome Avenue, having a large Recreation ground of nearly five acres on the left, with an Asphalted Tennis Court, and now having a new Recreation room behind: and the gardens and houses of the Governor and Deputy Governor on the right.

The yard is a parallelogram sloping down from west to east.

The entry to the Prison is through an open entry court (like Dartmoor), and not under the Archway of a Gatehouse. The east boundary wall (except at south end in front of the hospital) has been duplicated 40 ft. back, buildings and small yards coming between.

With the exception of the gate piers the buildings are all of red brick: the boundary wall is also of brick, 18 ft. high, and with internal brick pilasters.

On entering the outer gate, the gate office with wicket outside and one visiting box, are found on the right, the latter with counter and trap in old style. Behind are the Jury room, the Dead house, an old detached punishment cell, the Fire engine house and yard, and the Artisan's building yard, the two latter entered by large doors from the inside of inner boundary wall. On left of Gate is the Civil Convict Guardroom, behind which is the Medical Officer's special office, in which he attends to the 76 families (approx.) living in Warders' quarters, and to about 64 more families living "outside".

Right in front of the inner gate is the Jews' Synagogue, formerly a pump house, a low set building of small size, with two Buchan's Extracts on the roof, and warmed by a Gurney stove.

Behind this and in the front centre of all is the Office Building, an old II flat house, accommodating (right to left) Governor, Deputy Governor, Chaplain and Storekeeper below, and Clerks, Foreman of works, and Schoolmaster above, and also the Chief Warder.

Starting from the gate on a tour round the yard (with the sun) the first building on the left is the Schoolroom (built 1900) a neat erection, with pitch pine roof, and new separate desks, occupied on 13th. July 1904 by 19 Convicts.

Behind (attached) are three w-cs. in separate annexes (cut off) and this large provision is explained by the necessities of classification.

We pass now in front of the first Hospital, New F, with its walled in exercise yard on south, in an extension of the yard made when E was built, used in 1904 by Lunatics. The front of new F is very high, (3 flats), and its right hand part contains the Isolation hospital for four on the upper flats, and an Officer's infirmary on flat beneath. Behind them old F is like a two flat Prison of 40 cells, and runs east and west.

Entering the front part of new F, on ground flat on left are found the offices and Medical Officer's rooms: and over these are two excel lent wards (one over the other) each with w-c. annexes at the ends. These wards are very bright. with many windows on east and west faces, and each holds about 12.

Returning to the F cells, the top tier (flat II) is found to have corrugated iron ceilings, and a slated roof over. Enquiry as to the peculiar shape reveals the fact that this building was formerly a Military riding school.

Across the west end of old F, up the hill is found E Block, still better than F, it has been built within the last 18 years, (1890) is of two flats, and contains 28 cells, and at its south end has two excellent wards, one on each flat.

There are often as many as 150 invalids at Parkhurst Prison, and 40 more under medical treatment in C Hall, indeed all C (168 cells) is occupied by more or less "weak persons".

The wards in E have only sheet iron over their ceilings, and plaster below, (no concrete), and the cells there are 10' 6" X 8' 0" X 13 ft. high! and the corridor or passage is 9 ft. wide. All their windows have clear glass, and there are gas flues and boxes with tin shutters. A great four space annex has been built behind, for w-cs. and baths, while on the north side is a second annex holding two canvas padded cells (of which there are two more in F, and one fitted with India rubber in E Hall).

Coming out by end or north door of E, we face the end of the long row of Prison Stores of one flat, which cross the site behind the office building: these were in 1905 considered good for seven years to come.

Parallel to these, and behind them, the Kitchen is seen at south end, and the Laundry next to it, while north of the latter was a vacant space allotted as the site for a detached Bath house since erected.

Across the back, or west part of the Prison yard, is now seen the Chapel (at south end) in line with C Hall next, and B Hall beyond to the north, which last runs into an extension of the yard northwards. A Hall stands behind all.

There is a great Asphalted parade in front of B and C, with a cross yard wall but open at each end, and a similar yard is found between A B and C.

C is a three flat red brick Prison 29 cell spaces long, but four flats high for the five cell spaces at north end, where joining B. Its gross "spaces" are 184, and all accommodation about 168.

B is four or five flats high, as the ground slopes down northwards, and has 22 cell spaces in all on the two sides of a centre annex, those (11) on north having five flats.

Passing around the Chapel to left, there is seen a little annex at south end, to hold stoves for the Irons of Tailors' shop (called D) below the Chapel. This annex now has a flat slate slab roof, and a tall brick chimney carried up to Chapel eaves. Its former boarded ceiling and wooden door (still left in 1903), caused anxiety respecting fire.

Entering the Chapel, it is found to have three roof lanterns, with opening sides, which have now been hung (with gearing), the right way to prevent rain entering, but a horizontal glass flat across the hole below ,{now removed,)prevented free ventilation. The Chapel seats are open forms 9" wide, and with 13" spaces only between, and 17½" high. Kneeling on the wood , floor was so cramped that kneeling boards have been sanctioned. The Chapel was proposed to have a Reredos in zinc panels, (not fixed in 1904), the roof is low, and the whole apartment (in three forks), somewhat mean and poor.

The Tailors shop below is higher and better: the men here work on benches. Entering C wing (said to be 100 years old), the cells are found to be about 11' X 7' X 7' 9" high, with arched roofs, and two pane high windows: mostly "gated" doors, and a York stone corridor floor The heat ascends from gratings in the corridor floor, and formerly entered the cells by 4" openings below the doors (without louvres), but now by gratings above them. The extraction was below the window, near the floor, and returned under the same to a trunk below the gallery. The trunks had formerly four ascending flues on each side (in corners of cells) but these have been removed. There are extract chimneys on the ridge, one at each end, but all is dead now.

The stairs in C are at each end only. The galleries are on wood joists as cantilevers and boarded longitudinally both above and below the horizontal extract flues. There are doors of communication with B wing, on flats I and IV only.

Between B and C Basements is the warders' parade hall (for use in bad weather), and the Justice room for hearing reports.

B wing is much superior to C, and is about 28 years old (1880). There were red brick Clerestories, open in 1904, without glazing, an asphalted corridor floor, and slate galleries.

The stairs are in the middle of the 14 ft. wide corridor, and block the light considerably.

The cells are full size "Pentonville" cells, but about 7' 9" high only to springing. The windows are 3' 6" X 2' 3" high, the cell floors are of wood, and the heating is through flues to each cell, and not from the open corridor, as in C wing. The gratings are of vertical, modem pattern, both for inlet and outlet.

There is one gaslight for each two cells in a box between. The doors are all sheeted, and have no traps.

On the east side only is an annex of 5 flats high, with two zinc baths in cubicles on each flat, with a w-c. between them. These were, till the erection of the detached Bath house (before named) in 1906, all the baths provided for Parkhurst ordinary Convicts, viz. 10 in B serving B and C, and 16 similar in A, where there are opposite annexes in the centre. B has two extract shafts, one over entry to w-c.s and baths on east, and the other opposite thereto on west side.

In the yard between A and B (towards north end) are four "special cells" in a small isolated building (1895), entered from B by a passage. These have double doors, and built-out lobbies, and the 60 small pane sash, and one of them is padded.

A wing is a fine block, (1885), three to five flats high, following the 6lope of ground down to north. The cells are higher than in B, being 8' 6" to the springing: they have the same 2' 3" high sash, and also wood floors. The hot air inlet in fifth lowest flat is in the side division wall. The corridor is 16 ft. wide, and much lighter than B, but the same wooden cantilevers to galleries have been repeated. A has four extract shafts, two on each side over the cells, at about a quarter along from ends, and it may here be noted that all the shafts and high chimnies at Parkhurst appear to be provided with Lightning conductors. A block is about 41 cell spaces long, of which 13 at north end are on five flats. The cell details are otherwise much similar to B wing.

Coming down the yard again:—the extensive row of two flat shops &c. on north side, parallel to, and about 20 ft. from north boundary wall, is seen. The Shoemaker's shop, which was upstairs at west end, was in 1905 being removed eastwards to the Foreman of works' store on ground floor, near centre of row.

There were ten Shoemakers at work on 13th. July 1904. The room they occupy will become a sleeping in room for night guard, and it is over the Officers' Mess, and next to their smoke room, which is over their kitchen. Next come the Carpenters (upstairs), and the old Laundry, Work's store and Painters' shop, and Oakum store below, and the Smiths' shop is at lower or east end of all. The Painters' shop was removed to over Oakum store and Stokehole, and the Work's stores shifted down the hill to make room for Shoe shop.

Near the north east corner of B Hall the foundations were laid and footings built for a proposed Convicts' dining hall, but the work was abandoned and it became an outdoor Industrial shop in 1907.

Behind the long row of Stores (named before) across the yard, is found the Prison Laundry and Kitchen, the first being 17 years old (1891 ): it has a fine wooden roof, with "Holt's trusses", 18 wooden wash tubs in two rows, all open, and heated by steam pipes in them. Two Coppers are placed below hoods. A drying Closet of 9 horses exists, with iron ends, wire nets below, and extraction into furnace chimney, but no inlet for fresh air, (temperature 126°). As the books were never added up no record of the number of "pieces" put through was available on 13th. July 1904.

The Kitchen, to south, had in 1905 a new side, recently added on the west. It is not a convenient place, being much obstructed by columns, piers and arches. There are two large Country ovens in the west division each 7' X 9' deep, and each is used twice daily, (4 batches). The red and yellow tiled floor of the Kitchen is bright, and in the inner or eastern part there are seven cooking pots, four steamers, and a Gas stove, all in a narrow chamber. At north end is a range for Convicts' Meat, and a hot plate and two steam Boilers. There is a good Bread room at south west corner. This building was once a Prison Hall, which explains the high roof found in part.

The only building yet unnamed within the Old yard is called "old F," and stands on right of gate, near north east corner. It is a three flat detached building with 18 windows (in three tiers of six) on each side. The 18 cells still exist in the south half, but the north half has been "gutted". The central passage is very narrow, and covered in on each flat.

Going now outside the gate of the Prison — there are found on the south side thereof six three-flat tenements, each having six quarters for Warders. Each has three rooms, and there are wooden stairs, but otherwise they are similar to those at Wormwood Scrubs. Between these and the Prison gate are six South Cottages, of two flats, while the Chief Warder's house (Avenue Cottage) is across the Recreation ground in front at south corner of the Avenue. To north of the gate are eight "North Cottages", similar to the "South", but not so good.

The Governor's house called "Rookwood" is on right of Avenue at top, and is surrounded by a lovely garden and field, and the same may be said of the Deputy Governor's quarter behind it. The Governor has also a large vegetable garden behind North Cottages.

At the north side of the last named is the new Printers' shop (1904). It is built of half brick walls and corrugated iron roof, and is a long open chamber or workshop, with glass lantern over the centre, and skylights also on the ridge. The western half has been only completed, but on the south of the middle is a large double wing for storage &c, and an annex of 14" brick walls (also on south) containing the heating Boiler and Gas engine. This is the more "permanent" part. The whole space, so far as made, is crowded with Machinery, and was found very warm. In a private division of this shop these notes were set up for printing by Select Compositors in 1908-9.

At west end of the Printers' shop is an exercise yard for 100 men, laid with tar paths, and against the west gable (which has two w-cs. in an annex inside) three small school w-cs. have been put up on each side.

From the north end of North Cottages a neatly planted pathway leads north eastwards to the Upper Prison (now the Lunatic Asylum). On the left is seen the old reading room, which stands in the centre of and stretches back be tween four quarters, two on each side, now occupied by Warders' families, but formerly known as "Infirmary Quarters". This reading room is too far away for full use, and few warders subscribe to it. On its right are six West Cottages, occupied by the Foreman of works and others, and below the pathway is now seen to the east the Principal Medical Officer's detached house (formerly Chaplain's).

So we reach the Storekeeper's quarters at S. W. corner of Upper Prison yard, (into which an upper bedroom window still looked in 1905). Next to it is a "Lecture Room" for officers, and beyond is the gate of the upper Prison (having two warders' quarters over it), and then again are four quarters called "East Cottages". These six have now been "built out" of the Upper Prison yard at back. Beyond this — the Chaplain lives on the left, and Roadside Cottage (occupied by the Laundry man) is on the right, behind the Principal Medical Officer. Last of all, up the Cowes road, comes the Deputy Medical Officer's house, and three stables used by superior Officers.

The Bailiff at the Farm, and the Gas man at the Gas house completed the list of Officers accommodated, and as there are no Bachelors' bunks, and an establishment of 134, about 64 had to "live out" which was understood to be popular.

The Upper Prison was built about 1838, and was formerly a Boys' and then a Women's Prison. It has now been closed as a Prison for 16 years. There is a well walled-in yard of 3¾ acres, and the establishment was in 1905 prepared for 48 Convicts become Lunatics. It consists of one block, in a line east and west across the site, facing south east, and has been called B on the left, and A on the right of a cement faced "centre" (once a Governor's house), which has a large extract chimney over it. With the exception of the "centre" it had been pulled down as far as the ground floor, and was then being reconstructed. On the left (or west) are now four flats of eight cells, with corridor behind, floored over on each storey, On the right or east, are two flats of eight cells each, standing upon two day rooms, the lower one for "Dining". The wide low corridor on flat II (W.) is not pleasing, and the cells are 10' 6" high and the windows 6 ft. above the floor. Flat I is still more gloomy, for the windows are 6' 6" up, and the corridor very dark. Annexes at the end and back for w-cs. are added, and a padded cell behind on left flat I. The accommodation seems small for the heavy Contract cost, which £220 per Patient.

These stand alone, to the west of the reading room before named. There were 14 Retorts in four Sets, half of which are renewed yearly when working. There are three Gasometers, and the Gas house has a slated, and the Purifier a corrugated iron roof. The works were small even without the new Lunatic Asylum, but arrangements with the New port Gas Company were come to in 1906 for a regular supply into existing main.

The Farm stands to north west of the Prison yard. An old and somewhat decayed central "Barn" the Governor wishes to remove. The Pig-styes are particularly good, and the stables for two Horses, a large herd of Cows, and the Bull, are arranged around the Farm yard, while behind (to south west) is a good Cart shed, of which it was proposed to take the north end for a Dairy, as the cans were washed in the stable. There were two Horses, 47 Cattle, and 116 Pigs in 1906.

The Farm Bailiff's House stands between the Farm and the Prison, opposite the north end of A block, and between this and the Printers' shop is a large walled "Compound" for Misdemeanants work, surrounded by a high wooden hoarding. Ballast burning and other labouring work is done here.

The Drains discharge through the east wall to south of gate, through a 12" pipe, leading to a Dish-trap Manhole. A brick tower for inlet ventilation 8 ft. up, and outlet 20 ft. up, stands in the middle of the north end of the recreation ground. It is reported to "draw" sometimes right, and sometimes wrong.

The Sewage works are on W. D. property to east of the Cowes road, down near the water pit on the stream. Here the sewage is filtered and made into cake, and the effluent goes down-stream.

The Water supply enters at "Jubilee Gate" at south east corner of recreation ground, on the Cowes road : there is a 4" main from Carisbroke, and a ground Meter. There are 14 Fire hydrants around the buildings, and a small hand Fire Engine, in good order, sends the stream 30 ft. high. There are two tanks in B Hall roof with 11,000 gallons each, which give 30lb. pressure, but there is no "head" to rely on in the Town supply, and a Steam Fire engine has been considered desirable to be maintained.

It should be mentioned that the Farm, 78½ acres total, runs right up westward behind the Prison to Parkhurst Forest, and even the weak-minded prisoners, who work the South Farm behind the 36 Tenement quarters and next the Barracks, are employed on outside labour.

The Gas after passing Meter at Works, and out of yard as far as stream, divides into three Pipes, viz:—

( 1 ) 4", in centre, running along front of Prison yard and quarters (tenements), being reduced to 2" at north east yard corner, where also a 3" branch is carried up in front of the "shops", to B and C, and to all yard-buildings.

(2) 3", to west, which runs direct to wing A, which it supplies alone, (along with Farm Bailiff's house).

(3) 3", to east, which runs to gate of the "Upper Prison", and is decreased to 2" in yard.

In 1907-8 there was erected to the south of the entrance gate and in a "set back" of the outer boundary wall — a commodious detached building of one flat, forming a Cricket Pavilion and Warders' recreation room combined. This work was well carried out by Convict labour and includes a wide front verandah and suitable lavatory and refreshment accommodation.