County Gaol and House of Correction / HMP Warwick, Warwick, Warwickshire

Thanks to permission kindly granted me bythe Prison Commissioners at the Home Office, Whitehall, and also to the extreme courtesy of Captain D'Aeth, the Governor, who personally conducted me through the establishment, I am to-day in a position to give a brief account of visit recently paid to the vast building of blue bricks, which, with its stone facings and scores of little windows, stands its area of about 10 acres, may not say as menace, but at all events a grim monitor — a warning to evil-doers who may pass by, whether by road, rail, or canal. Pleasantly situated in green fields, and built on slightly rising ground, the prison commands a fine view of the surrounding country. the huge structure is approached, one observes that the great walls to the south and east sides are skirted by a strip of land devoted to the cultivation of vegetables by the Prison officers, and goodly patches of potatoes, and respectable looking rows of cabbages, being relieved by clumps of the broad-leaved horseradish. On either side of the frowning gateway are the residences the Governor and the Chaplain. The garden of the first-named separated from the highway an ordinary garden wall, over which gigantic sun-flowers — everything seems on a big scale — gaily nod from the midst a well-stocked shrubbery of laurel, holly, lilac, hawthorn and other trees. With rare audacity an organ-grinder and his buxom young wife, her head and shoulders enveloped in bright scarlet kerchief, have pulled up almost opposite the prison gates — it is 2 p.m. — for the mid-day repast. I have reached the prison gates, have already touched the button of the electric bell, and await, not without trepidation, the opening of the postern door by the warder, whose jingling keys are heard in immediate response to the summons.

I was on entry greeted with great civility the warder at the gate, who having re-locked the postern-door, requested me to take a seat in the stone-floored guard-room — suppose I must call it — while unlocking, and again relocking, a strong iron gate, crossed the eourt-yard to the main building, the entrance hall of which is also protected by iron gates, necessitating more lock manipulation. And here I may say that the key business, indispensable I admit, haunts me now, for during the two and a half hours which were occupied by my visit, the turning of keys was constant. I don't wonder that the old fashioned jailors were known as "turn-keys". The warder quickly returned. Crossing the court-yard, I was admitted into the main block, and found myself in fine corridor, similar to the corridors of Municipal buildings; that is to say the offices, i.e. those of the Governor, the visiting magistrates, the doctor, and so on, open on to it. One little room, meagrely furnished with only a table and couple of chairs should be mentioned, more especially because when in use it becomes the duty of a warder to stand outside the door and closely watch the occupants through the glass panels. It the room set apart for prisoners and their solicitors, when interviews are necessary. Obviously it is essential that while the verbal confidences of lawyer and client are to be respected, there must be no opportunity for the passing documents of for what may be termed material communication of any kind. The Governor's office is spacious and lofty, and in keeping with the dignity his position.

Firstly, as already mentioned, the present building — the old prison was in Northgate Street — dates from 1860. It cost £75,000, and, as originally constructed, was designed for male and female prisoners, and for debtors. The debtors' wing has since been transformed into the State Inebriate Reformatory, of which more hereafter. Warwick Prison became Government establishment on the passing the Prison Act of 1877. It has accommodation for 308 males and 53 females. The interior consists of three mammoth corridors or divisions, with two tiers of galleries. The staff consists 1 Governor, 1 Chaplain, 1 Catholic Priest, 1 Medical Officer, these acting for the male and female establishment, and also for the State Inebriate Reformatory; and Clerks, 2 Schoolmasters, 23 male and 9 female discipline officers. The Prison day begins at 6 a.m. and ends 8 p.m., i.e. lights out, except on Sundays when it is reckoned from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Captain D'Aeth was now ready to take me over the Prison. I forestalled any order of procedure that he may have intended, by suggesting that he should, as it were, regard me aa newly arrived prisoner and thus commence at the beginning. He approved of the idea, and started at the door of the official corridor. In the ordinary course I should have been accompanied by police officer, by whom I would have been taken into the first room in the corridor — the Reception Room. Here a receipt is given the constable, who, relieved of his charge, proceeds on his way rejoicing, while the prisoner, in the care of warder, descends to the basement by a flight of steps opposite the Reception Room. here undresses and receives the "order of the bath," and clothed in prison suit of yellowish drab material. His civilian clothes and belongings are carefully registered in book, the several items being called over to him by the warder making the entry. His signature or his mark which affixes to the entry, constitutes his acknowledgment of the accuracy of the entry. On leaving the Prison on the expiration of his sentence, the garments, which have been disinfected, are returned to him, when he gives a receipt in the shape of another signature. Fresh from the bath and in regulation garb, the new earner is placed temporarily in a cell, still in the basement, where he awaits inspection by the medical officer. Satisfied that he is fit, the Doctor gives a clean bill health and the subdued light of the basement is left for the upper region.

The change is pleasant, for the prisoner is conducted to what is really an immense hall, very lofty, splendidly ventilated, and lighted with the full light of day, admitted from the roof and from a legion of small windows. The cells open from the galleries which are reached by iron staircases. Accompanied by the Governor, I entered one of the former. It measured 14 feet deep, feet from wall to wall, and 9 feet from floor to ceiling. A plank about a yard in width, stood upright in the corner. This makes the cell more roomy for the day. At night it is fixed in position against the wall. For the first fourteen days of a man's incarceration, this forms the proverbial "plank bed" no mattress being allowed. After the probationary fourteen days, and during the remainder of his time, a prisoner, unless misconduct should render punishment necessary, retains the mattress. In the cell under inspection, a mattress was neatly rolled in the opposite corner, and by it bundle of clean and carefully folded bed clothes. On the floor stood the washing utensils polished as brightly light-house reflectors. On a tiny shelf were deposited Bible, hymn book, prayer book, and a religious volume, in this case "The Narrow Way." A cloth receptacle held a series of Prison regulation cards drawn up in order that the prisoner might be in possession of information in respect to labour, diet, treatment, progress, and to the remission of sentence which by good conduct can earn. With regard to the last item, supposing a man is sentenced to twelve months, he must serve six months before can begin to qualify for remission. It is the completing six months that can reduce, the reduction possible being one quarter of six months. In other words can hasten his discharge by six weeks. Near the devotional books was a work of fiction. I had the curiosity to glance at the title. It was Mark Twain's "A Tramp Abroad." A little ledge about a foot square, over which is gas jet, fixed near the cell-door with a stool as seat This completes the furniture of the cell, but I should say that above the ledge there is a bell lever by which at any moment night or day, a prisoner can summons the warder in charge. Simultaneously with the movement of the lever metal plate with the number of the cell projects outside the door automatically — practically tell-tale, should the warder prove neglectful.

We may now consider the prisoner fairly located, and are at liberty to take wider survey of the Prison and to enter into the daily routine. But first let me say that in the course of my perambulation I could not shake off the belief that the state of things in the new world into which I had entered, was a permanent state of things. By this mean that of the many men whose faces I scanned, I seemed to regard them as fixtures, that they had been prisoners for years past, and that they would be prisoners for years to come. This, course, was entirely erroneous, a mere mental trick. As a matter of fact some are in for very short terms, seven days, fourteen days, or a month. The maximum term in the ordinary prison is two years. It is not, however, difficult to understand why the spectator cannot dissociate the idea of permanency from all he sees, it is at it were, because of the absolute oneness of the pattern, it is like elaborate piece of mechanism, every part fitting with exactness which gives a finish to the whole. We think then that this prisoner who may really be within a few hours of freedom, will be in his place to-morrow, or that that prisoner who is really the latest arrival, and perhaps a novice at the game, has been pursuing "the trivial round, the common task" for long time past. It true that a Sherlock Holmes would not fail to notice the growth of hair on some of the men's faces, and be able to calculate with tolerable correctness, the extent of that growth, the length of time the individual had already been detained. In respect to some of the men, however, there can be no mistake; they are really old gaol-birds. I refer to men distinguishable by a slight difference in their dress. They wear knee-breeches, grey and red-striped stockings, and on their dress is a plentiful display of broad-arrows. These are convicts who have undergone years of penal servitude some of the great convict prisons, and have been drafted into the ordinary prison, where they will finish the remainder of their term.

Leaving the cell described, Captain D'Aeth led the way to the Prison Ohapel. Here prayers are said every day at 8-45 a.m. Divine service is held on Sundays at 9-30 a.m. and 2-30 p.m. As much of the service is sung as possible and prisoners join in heartily. I was struck by the brightness of the building. It is seated for 400, the seats, facing the altar, rising in tiers from what in church proper would be the chancel. Chairs for the warders are placed at the end of the seats. The Governor's private pew, a harmonium, reading desk, etc., occupy the well or pit. Two altars stand side by side, one, the Roman Catholic, being curtained off when not use. The Anglican altar is chastely decorated in blue. One or two coloured Scripture scenes hang near. I have said the rising tiers face the altar, but that was intentional mis-statement. Little more than three fourths of the men occupying the seats can see the altar. It is hidden from view by a partition some 9 or 10 feet high. Behind this partition sit the females, all possibility these being seen by the male prisoners having to be guarded against.

A step or two from the Chapel and we are in a small room used as a library. This is in charge of the Schoolmaster, and the library consists of volumes and magazines. Every prisoner after the first month is entitled to one or two books each week, according to the length of time has served. These who cannot read get picture books and scrap books. I looked at the latter, and found they were tastefully made up, with cuttings from illustrated periodicals and other sources. Picture books are a necessity, as even in these days of elementary education the inmates of prisons, vide Sir John Macdonnell, are in the main the poor and uninstructed. Sir John says that in 1902 about 17.5 per cent, of prisoners could neither read nor write. The Schoolmaster was present and gladly answered a few enquiries. "How many volumes have you now out on loan?" "About 150 among the male, and 50 on the female side." "Then I take it that as your male prisoners so greatly out-number the females, the women are the more voracious readers?" "Not at all. The reason is that as little communication as possible with the female section of the prison is the rule, we send them books in batches, on deposit so to speak." "The books read by the prisoners are mainly fiction, I suppose?" "Yes, nearly all fiction." "Is there much demand for writers such as Dickens and Scott?" "Well, no. As a rule prisoners capable of appreciating such novelists have read them years ago. "Modern writers are mostly in demand." "Marie Corellifor instance?" "No." replied the officer with a quiet laugh, in which, the Governor joined, "Miss Corelli is not allowed here." Hard I thought, on the author of "The Sorrows of Satan" to suffer so much from the journalistic tribe and be excluded from the Prison library as well.

It was now time to see the prisoners at work. This is one of the most interesting features in prison life. The labour includes: Stonebreaking for the County Council, wood chopping for Prison use, for the Army and for contractors, oakum picking, coal sack and hammock making for the Admiralty, mail bags for the G.P.0., gardening, cooking, washing, repairs to clothing, etc. While at their several occupations the prisoners are kept under the close surveillance of the discipline officers. Idling means punishment, by deprivation of privilege, and other ways. The officers on the Governor approaching, come to the salute and report the number of men under their charge at the moment, "17 Sir," "25 Sir," and so on. In one of the larger corridors quite a number of men were engaged in the making of the sacks, hammocks, and mailbags aforesaid. They sit well apart; about two yards distant from each other. Silence is imperative, communication forbidden. While apparently and really busy with their work, the artillery of the eyes were brought into play, many searching and furtive glances, being cast in my direction. "Your presence," said Captain D'Aeth to me quietly, "troubles them. They are wondering who and what you are, think there is something up, and are puzzling their brains to know what's going to happen next." Many of the men were well featured, much of the every day labouring man stamp. Others were more the orthodox criminal type. The ages of the men varied, some were scarcely out of their teens, that, others were well on years, some bald or blanched. The work is well done. In the packing room I examined it closely; the stitching is neat, the finished article most workmanlike. The mailbags when ready for delivery, are packed in bales of 30; the hammocks in bundles of 20.

As may be imagined, one very necessary department in a prison is the cook-house, and this we next visited. Some eight or nine men in charge of a discipline officer were here engaged. The cooking is done by steam supplied by the boiler house, which also provides hot water for the baths. The heating of the Prison is done by three separate heating apparatuses. coppers are as big as Guy's "punch bowl" at Warwick Castle. One contained porridge for supper and was being stirred by prisoner with porridge stick as big an Alpine staff; in another cocoa was simmering. One man was kneading dough for the whole-meal bread, while another by his side weighed up 6 and 8 ounce loaves ready for the oven. A fourth prisoner performed the office of scullery man in an adjoining apartment. The meat for next day's soup stood by long centre table; its quality was excellent. On the table was a solid block of the cocoa used. It is similar to that supplied to the Navy, the best and the purest. It will thus be seen that the inmates of His Majesty's prisons fare well. I should like to submit a copy the dietary table, but lack of space precludes. This table comprises three heads, i.e., diet A for prisoners in for a term of seven days and under: diet B for more than seven days and not more than four months; and diet C for more than four months. I cannot give the whole table, but I will make room for one day in each class. I select Monday, the day of call; that will be sufficiently representative.

Diet A.

Breakfast.— Men: Bread 8 oz., gruel pint. Women and juveniles: Bread 6 oz., gruel 1 pint.

Dinner.— Men: Bread oz. potatoes 8 oz. Women and juveniles: Bread 6 oz., potatoes 8 oz.

Supper.— Men: Breed oz., gruel 1 pint. Women and juveniles: Bread oz., gruel 1 pint.

Diet B.

Breakfast.— Men: Bread 8 oz., gruel 1 pint. Women and juveniles: Bread 6 oz., gruel 1 pint.

Dinner.— Men: Bread 6 oz . potatoes 8 oz, beans 10 oz., fat bacon 2 oz. Women and juveniles: Bread 6 oz., potatoes 8 oz, beans 8 oz, fat bacon 1 oz. Supper.— Men: Bread 8 oz., porridge 1 pint. Women and juveniles: Bread tioz., gruel pint.

Diet C.

Breakfast.— Men: Bread 8 oz., porridge 1 pint. Women and juveniles : Bread 6 oz., tea 1 pint.

Dinner.— Men: Bread 6 oz., potatoes 12 oz, beans 12 oz., fat bacon 2 oz. Women and juveniles: Bread 6 oz., potatoes 8 oz, beans 10 oz., fat bacon 2 oz.

Supper.— Men: Bread 8 oz., cocoa 1 pint. Women and juveniles: Bread 6 oz., cocoa 1 pint.

Note:— Men include all male prisoners over 16 years of age. Women include all female prisoners over 16 years of age. Juveniles include all prisoners under 16 years of age. and such may in addition to the above diets allowed milk, not exceeding one pint per diem, at the discretion of the Medical Officer, and juveniles diet C may be allowed one pint of porridge in lieu of tea for breakfast.

After a glance at the Boiler House, where a prisoner was stoking, the Bath House was inspected. In this building prisoner take hot bath once a week. This process gone through in the afternoon. The baths are six in number, and it requires two days to serve all round. That only afternoons should be allotted to bathing is for economy's sake, the steam being wanted for cooking purposes in the morning. The cell for refractory prisoners and the padded room for prisoners likely to do themselves harm, was then Examined. The latter is lined with inflated india rubber with a sub-layer of Cork so that the most frenzied occupant is unable to injure himself.

"And now," said Captain D'Aeth, there is one place which you would like to see. I am glad to say rarely used, and that since my appointment to Warwick I have not yet had occasion to do so — the Execution Chamber." We entered, and face to face with the awful machinery of death — the heavy wooden superstructure with its cross beam and stout chain and ring for rope attachment; the hinged platform, its two flaps resting secure and firm until a turn of the treacherous lever causes the cunningly contrived iron rails to slide in their grooves, and withdraw support, with the inevitable result; the bricked vault or pit beneath its stone steps at the side by which the doctor descends to examine the suspended object in order that he may certify that justice has been satisfied; face to face with all the appliances and means which ingenuity and, let me add mercy, have devised, it was not difficult to behold as in vision the awful reality of an execution. The authorities have now wisely and humanely decided that executions shall be conducted in private. The last execution in Warwick Prison took place on December 30th, 1903, and was that of George Place (28), a miner, for the murder of Mrs. Eliza Chetwynd, Eliza Chetwynd, her daughter, and the infant male child of the latter. The execution previous to that was in 1895, when George Haines was hanged for the murder of his sweetheart at Aston.

It was a relief now to pass into the open air, where in the large space between the Prison and the outer walls, garden work, exercise, and such labour as can be carried on out of doors occupies prisoners who have the good fortune be allowed open-air tasks. The space devoted to the production of vegetables for prison use is considerable, and could be made to yield far more than is required for Prison consumption. The difficulty would be to find a market for the stuff. The men looked happy and bright and appeared to take a real interest in their work. "There is nothing like open-air work" said Captain D'Aeth, "the men like it, and I like it." They were constructing a fire main, with hydrants. This main is being laid round the Prison. At present the facilities for fire subjection consist merely of a manual fire engine and a party of specially trained prisoners to take charge of, and connect hoses, etc. When the new main is completed, water will be pumped direct off the main on to the fire without using the fire engine, an immense improvement. When the fire main is finished, the next undertaking will be the laying of new concrete and cement exercise paths.

Having concluded inspection of the fire main, a visit to the pumping house at present existing was natural. In this building the hydrants are worked by means of cranks. The task is laborious and in the event of fire would entail the use of two sets of prisoners. The cranks, which are in cells, six on one side, and six on the other, have to be kept moving in unison. If a man shirks his work, a tell-tale click soon informs the discipline officer, who walks on planking over-head, after the fashion of the task-masters the ancient galleys. The cells being roofless, can look down on each man. The men are locked in, the warder being able if needful, to open the door from above, by means of a wire connection with the bolt. To illustrate the system, D'Aeth tried to move one the cranks, which, had he succeeded, would have set the other five that side in motion. But to accomplish that single-handed was impossible. The Prison Stores are situated not far from the Pump House.

Following the inspection of the Pump House came the round of the workshops — the blacksmith's, tin-shop, fitter's shop, paint shop, and carpenter's shop. These departments, though small, possess all that is necessary for the Prison requirements and repairs. The blacksmith's bellows were in full blast; in the paint-shop a prisoner was sorting out glass for window-repairs; in the carpenter's-shop another, a skilled workman evidently, was working on cell furniture and what appeared to me to look like the frame-work of a roof ventilator. He seemed a decent, quiet-looking man, and lifting a small partly finished sash, ostensibly with the intention of scrutinising the quality of the labour, I could not forbear, remembering the Divine man once worked at carpenter's bench, audibly expressing admiration. The only response I received from Captain D'Aeth. Governor and diplomat, was a semi-official umph, but so soon as the everlasting key was turned on the prisoner, and we were out of earshot of the latter. Captain D'Aeth, critic and humanitarian, praised the skill of the craftsman, and said that were the man to remain in Prison always he could find him employment every day of the year.

The Infection Ward, which next passed — outside — was, it is pleasing to state, empty. So, too, was the Dead House, and here I may say that there is very little sickness in the Prison, and that trifling, while there is only about one death a year. The conditions under which the prisoners live — diet, clothing, sanitation — being all of the best, they have every chance of maintaining vigour and improving health. It follows that the conduct generally, is very good. The endeavour is to inculcate some idea of self respect, so that when they regain liberty, they, really desiring to reform, may understand its advantages. To this end the Prisoners' Aid Society is given a free advertisement in each cell in the shape of direction cards. All adult juveniles, that is those between 16 and 21, are made to drill every day. and in addition, are given an hour's instruction class daily, by the Chaplain.

I ought not to forget to mention one apartment in which many a trying and pathetic scene must be witnessed in the course of the Prison year — the visiting room. This room is railed into three equal sections: (1) standing space for the visitor; (2) equal space — about two yards across — for the warder; (3) space for the prisoner. The warder, it will thus be seen, stands between husband and wife, child and parent, or friend and friend as the case may is there to prevent the passing of forbidden goods such tobacco, spirits, or it might be poison — remember Whittaker Wright — as well as to prevent conversation on any subject other than that of a domestic or harmless personal nature. The time allowed for interview and the frequency of visits depends upon the conduct of the prisoner and varies according to the duration of his imprisonment. In the third and fourth stage half an hour is the rule, but should special circumstances warrant a slight extension, it may granted at the Governor's discretion.

The Building Material Yard, the Wood-Cutting Yard, and the Stone-Breaking Yard, were shown me by the Governor. The Stone-Breaking Yard looked like business, the men swinging their hammers as they stood over the flinty pile, with unceasing regularity. I don't suppose they were murmuring blessings on the memory of Macadam, king of roadmakers. "Terribly hard work, is it not?" said I. "Not a bit harder to my thinking than that of wood-chopping," said the Governor. "It is not easy you know to bend over a saw all day."

When crossing the entrance court to take a view of the Prison "coach-house" I was in time to witness the arrival of contingent of prisoners in two omnibuses from Milverton Railway Station. They were chained in batches, and had come that morning from Manchester — prisons with spare accommodation relieve others which may over-full — and I must say did not present a very prepossessing appearance. "You are late." said the Governor to the driver of the first vehicle. "Yes. sir, they were not in the train due at 1-15" was the reply. "How was that?" "I suppose, sir. they lost their connection at Birmingham," came the answer. In the coach-house we found "Black Maria," the prison van, calmly reposing. Had she the gift of language, and were she not forbid to tell the secrets of the prison house, I doubt not that, like the Ghost in "Hamlet," she could a tale unfold. She has been with the Prison since the commencement, and must during long series of Assizes have carried thousands of men and women. Of women That reminds me, I have not yet seen the women's side of the Prison. No, nor shall I. The against the admission of men there, except the officials already indicated above, is peremptory. I can only say that the system pursued in the female section is similar to that of the male division. The work of course differs somewhat, laundry work being the chief occupation, supplemented by the making and mending of prisoners' under-clothing, etc.

Accommodation 266 men, 50 women, 72 men Inebriates, total 388.

Area of estate 10 acres, giving 38 prisoners per acre: walled in 7.87acres showing 49 per acre.

Daily average 164, 14 and 56, total 234.

Warwick Prison is well situated on ground sloping to the south, about 15 minutes walk north of St. Mary's church and Warwick town, 10 minutes from the G. W. R. station and 15 minutes drive from Milverton L. and N. W. station. It will be seen that the area presents favourable future possibilities, 49 per acre within the walls being a low figure. Both Site and enclosure are well shaped, forming in each case a long parallelogram, with the gate in the centre of the long north-east side. The Prison was built about 1860 by a Birmingham architect, and all the buildings are of hard blue Staffordshire brick externally,which is very durable, and requires no re-pointing; but Kenilworth red bricks are found inside.

The Gate house faces north-east, and the arch is 21 feet wide. There are four unused rooms on the two upper floors on the right. The main prison consists of a cross, of two long arms (A and C) placed west and east, and two short arms (B and E), the last named forming the front or males' reception office, and chapel wing, on left of A, and in extension thereof is the women's prison F, while to the right of C, and built in an L shape is the former Debtors' prison (called D), now used as the State Inebriate Reformatory for men. All the extraction towers stand on the wing ridges.

In front of A stands the Kitchen, and in front of C are six male weekly fire-clay Baths, reset in 1907. Here also is the works' yard and trades' shops, with a van shed and fire-engine house. The Kitchen is connected by covered ways both to the males' and females' prisons, whilst another covered way, by which the women go to chapel, extends outside the Kitchen, having a few store rooms attached. There were many division gates around the front yard, of which five were removed in 1907.

The Laundry is quite detached, standing in the east front corner of the yard, and can be worked either by men or women. As there were but six women 24th July 1902 (for fifty females' cells), the men were washing. There is an ironing-room behind. The floor of wash house was drained to a central gully, and the tubs by pipes below them but improvements were made in 1907.

Near to the outer end of C stands the wooden Execution house (fitted in modern style), and south of this is a detached Isolation Hospital (available for either sex) and a small Mortuary. South of A is the old crank-house still available for pumping from well (holding 24 ft. of water on 1st December 1904) to roof tanks, but these have been now connected to new fire mains. Drains around the well were diverted and relaid in 1907 to prevent fouling.

Two walls cross the south Yard, one between Males' and Females', the other between Males' and Inebriates', and the gardens and walks are well laid out and the former well cultivated.

Excepting only the Inebriates' work-room, in yard to south of D, erected in 1902, this workroom completes the list of external buildings within the prison yard, but outside , there are five Officers' Quarters, viz.:— 1, Governor's to left Officers' and 2, Chaplain's to right of gateway, 3, Chief Quarters warders' in left part, and 4, sleeping-in rooms in another house on right part of gate-house itself, whilst one warder occupies the Magistrates' stable-keeper's 5 quarter, at north front corner of the property. The Governor's house has speaking tubes to the Gate and Prison centre: also a dinner-lift, and oak doors and windows (varnished). The road in front is known as Old Park road, while Saltisford common surrounds the prison property on three sides.

The Drainage of the whole prison discharges through an intercepting pit at south (or far left back) corner of the yard, which contains a 9" sentinel, while an additional intercepting pit has been built between the Inebriates' and Prisoners' divisions.

The Gas enters at the left of the gate-house by a 4" main leading to the meter house at (or near) north corner of kitchen, and to the left of office wing.

The Water supply enters also at the gate, having a 3" bye-pass for fire, and a 15" meter pipe, with a ground meter changed in 1904. It would not rise to top floor w-cs. till new connections were made in 1907: these were previously supplied from the well. Considerable pipe leakage occurred in the grounds in 1907. In 1904 there was but one fire-hydrant but five more have since been fitted, and there is a hand engine.

Entering the Main Prison: it is found to be four flats [storeys] high, the former basements being now opened out, except on the women's side (F). There is a straight stair in A corridor from A I to A II, and a winding basement stair set back in B-C corner. A and C are each 19 cell-spaces in length and have the ordinary 16 feet wide corridor, and cells of the Pentonville size. Their windows are little circular-headed openings, about 2' 6" square, with ¾" diameter horizontal guard bars opposite the cross astragals. Some of the cell window glass was changed to clear in 1907-8. The cell floors are of hard blue tiles, and there are long horizontal warm-air inlet gratings above the doors, and similar foul air extracts below the windows, while all had till 1908 internal low naked gas jets near the door. A former Governor preferred the internal naked gas lights to any other form, like (Jabez Balfour.)

Corridors The Corridor roofs are ceiled in plaster below the rafters, and there are a few little open holes in the clerestory walls, but the roofing over the cells is close-boarded below the slates, and also plastered below the rafters, so that there is no natural corridor ventilation. The stairs, (except to A basement) are in cell-spaces at the side.

B wing (to south) is similar in all respects, Corridor but only six cell-spaces long, while the corner-shaped rooms and cells grouped around the prison centre, give that space an octagon shape.

The Males' Hospital is formed out of cell-spaces towards the outer end of C III at the back or south side: it has two wards, and occupies in all nine spaces including lavatory, bath, and staircase.

Entering the Females' Prison (F) which is just a continuation eastwards of the Men's; formed in a partially detached and walled-off building: the Female Officers' quarters are found in a short cross wing on the right or south side, and over them is the females' Infirmary on top flat. The Female Officers have a kitchen and mess in the north basement, improved in 1907 by the removal of an external stair. The Females' Reception occupies the basement of a similar short wing on the front, where the women's entrance is also found. Beyond these short wings F proper is only seven spaces long and like A and C, but the basement is closed off.

Block D is entirely different: it is a one sided prison only, three flats high and without a basement (except boiler house) and the cells are at the back. The corridor, about twelve feet wide, is peculiar in having the third or top flat entirely arched off and shut in, the arches springing from eight feet above the floor of flat II and resting on cast-iron cross girders.

Flat III corridor has a sloping plaster lean-to ceiling, and a floor paved with blue Hollington stone. The cells or rooms in D are six feet wide only, and new windows were constructed in !902 3' 6" high X 2' 5" wide, with circular heads and heavy wide horizontal louvred cross bars. The whole place has a feeling of being close and low inside, and gas flues and boxes have of course become necessary in the cells, as the corridors are shut in.

On D I the heating pipes are found in a little channel in the floor covered with iron plates which can be lifted for access; four divisions or spaces, at the angle of corridor on this flat are also roofed over by brick arches.

At the north-west or outer end (from prison

centre) several cells on flat I have been widened-out over the pipe channel to form an officers' room, and the building has been extended on the same floor only to form a library. There is also a day room on each flat right across the corridor and at cells, south end of D, (near to C) and a corridor or lobby from D I connects to C II.

The males' Pass Locks (34) were renewed in 1907-8 in consequence of two weak keys. The females' Pass Locks were to follow.

The earth closets in Exercise yards on south end (which has cement rings) were abolished in 1906 and Wacs. fitted, though the late Governor was against the change.

A Juvenile Adults' workshop was proposed in front walled yard nearest the gate in 1907.

The capabilities of Warwick Prison, even unextended, appear to be considerable. A and C are each 19 spaces long, and four flats high, and B is six spaces similarly, so that without counting the 16 corner spaces at the Prison "centre" (mostly used as workrooms and offices) there are 352 spaces. Of these the w-cs., stairs, Hospital, and Baths (below A) now occupy about 47, some of which might under other arrangements be added to the cells; and as before indicated the grounds have space for considerable extensions of B, C and F, either as originally contemplated in the drawings, or otherwise.