During and subsequent to the American war, the prisons of Great Britain
were crowded. A distemper, generated in the damp and foetid atmosphere
of gaols, carried off thousands: to be charged with an offence, was to
be exposed to the risk of a malady generally fatal. Sometimes, it passed
beyond the precincts of prisons: at Taunton, the judges and other
officers of the court, and hundreds of the inhabitants, perished.
Howard, after spending a large portion of his life in retirement and
devotion, was chosen sheriff of Bedfordshire. He exposed the sufferings
which he witnessed; and accelerated transportation, by revealing the
secrets of the prison house. It is needless to describe his labors--they
belong to all nations: he reproved kings, and received the blessings of
thousands ready to perish; and he lost his life in the service of
mankind.[52]
The attention awakened by Howard, the philanthropist, led to the general
improvement of prisons (1779). A variety of projects were suggested for
the disposal of prisoners: some it was proposed to confine in
dock-yards, salt works, mines, or where concentrated labour might be
possible. Mr. Eden, at first, suggested that enormous offenders should
be sent to the Mahomedan ports, and sold for the redemption of
Christian slaves, or be employed on the coasts of Africa, on small
islands, for the benefit of navigation.[53] It was recommended by a
committee of the House of Commons to transport criminals to the coast of
Africa and the East Indies. These plans were effectually resisted, or
failed of their design.
Judge Blackstone and Mr. Eden contrived a scheme, in concert with
Howard, which they embodied in the "Hard Labor Bill." Its object was
twofold: to establish labor houses all over England, and to regulate the
employment of convicts on board the hulks. This measure was published
preparatory to its being submitted to parliament, and fell into the
hands of Bentham. Hailing the movement as fraught with important
improvements, he produced his Panopticon, which he described as
applicable to all houses of industry, and wherever inspection is
constantly required. The plan exhibits remarkable ingenuity: the
separation being made consistent with continual oversight, and an
economy of space with health and exercise. The design of the building
itself is circular: the external area cut up into angles, and separated
by walls running to a common centre. The interior is formed of a
succession of circles, not inaptly compared by the satirical opponents
of the scheme to a spider's web.[54] He afterwards accompanied his plans
with minute definitions of the objects and methods of penal coercion.
Sir John Parnell, chancellor of the Irish exchequer, Mr. Pitt and Lord
Melville of the English ministry, were anxious to establish the
panopticon system in their respective countries. The design was not
formally abandoned until 1813, when the erection of the Millbank
Penitentiary, extinguished the scheme of Bentham. He had written
political articles offensive to the court: George III. had attempted to
refute his opinions, and cherished towards him the antipathy of a rival.
A contract was formed with Bentham, to erect and conduct his panopticon:
he had received possession of a spot of land assigned for the purpose,
and nothing was wanting but the royal signature to his official
appointment. His hopes were finally crushed by the obstinacy of the
inexorable king.[55]
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 51: _Quarterly Review_, vol. ii. p. 322.]
[Footnote 52: As a congregational dissenter, he was liable to a fine of
L500, for not taking the sacramental test. It is some credit to human
nature, that he was not interrupted or punished in his career of
charity.]
[Footnote 53: _Eden's Discourse on Banishment._]
[Footnote 54: _Quarterly Review_, 1822.]
[Footnote 55: Dr. Bowring's account, received from Bentham in 1824. In
1813, Jeremy Bentham, on account of penitentiary, L23,578.--_Par. Pap._]