10. Such an arrangement of plan as would secure the greatest benefit
of sunshine on the exterior walls and into the corridors and rooms,
and admit of the free movements of the currents of air around and
throughout the building.
11. An abundant supply of water, properly distributed throughout all
parts of the prison, and a suitable number of bath tubs, water
closets, hoppers and sinks to promote cleanliness among the prisoners
and in the prison.
12. The sink rooms so located and arranged as to prevent their
contaminating the atmosphere of the prison.
13. Effectual means for warming, and a thorough system of ventilation,
and means for admitting an abundant supply of fresh air and light to
all parts of the building.
14. All parts of the building in which the prisoners are to be
confined to be thoroughly fire proof, and to be so secure as to
preclude all hope of escape therefrom.
15. Hospital rooms to be conveniently located in a quiet part of the
building.
16. The residence for the Warden’s family not to be in the jail, but
on the jail lot, and very convenient to the entrance to the jail.
17. Simplicity and economy, in plan and construction, so far as
consistent with the other essential requirements.
And finally to provide, by every possible means consistent with
security, a proper degree of economy and a salutary discipline for the
healthfulness, comfort and convenience of the prisoners; for while a
prison is a place of confinement for criminals or persons charged with
crime, and as such should be made so secure as to shut out all
reasonable hope of escape, that the proper ends of justice may be met,
yet humanity and indeed justice herself demands that the life and
health of the prisoners shall be carefully protected, and every
suitable means afforded them for repentance and moral improvement.
The architectural style of the building is castellated Gothic, and
presents in the durable stone of which the building is erected those
simple, yet bold, strong and massive features which convey the idea of
fitness—that basis of all proportion—which affords to us an emotion of
pleasure, or that feeling of satisfaction arising from the
contemplation of means properly adapted to their end, and possessing
those qualities of order and harmony which excite our admiration. Any
attempt at mere architectural display, by elaborate ornamentation or
expensive finish, would have been the work of supererogation.
Propriety and fitness forbid the use of elaborate embellishment.
Strength and security should be the most prominent features in the
design for a prison, that it may by its austere beauty wear a suitable
expression, and thus proclaim with truthfulness the purpose for which
it is designed.
The total cost of gaol, warden’s residence, heating, cooking, &c., is
not far from $290,000.