2

THE SILENT SYSTEM.

the rule of silence rigidly; but, on the contrary, considered that I was fulfilling a solemn duty to society.

With a strong conviction in favour of the silent system, it may, perhaps, be surmised that I am about to insist that my favourite discipline is that which ought to be embraced by the whole kingdom. It has not failed to attract my observation, that whatever has been long administered by individuals is apt so to engross their partiality, as to blind them to any inherent defect easily discernible by others. This is the very weakness of which I complain in those who, having embraced a one-sided view, became intolerant against every other.

In order that I may set out in the discussion of this vital question, by conciliating confidence, and establishing some claims to candour and disinterestedness, I will at once avow that, highly as I value the silent system, patiently and sternly administered, I do not think it adapted to the prisons of the country at large, and especially under their present organization. In the first place; its efficacious enforcement demands so large a staff of officers, as positively to alarm economical administra

STAFF OF SUPERVISORS REQUIRED.

3

tors; whereas, without the materials for ample supervision under every possible contingency, the whole effort will prove abortive.1 Secondly, even with the requisite staff of supervisors, the unswerving perseverance, and determination, indispensable in the chief administrator, are scarcely to be expected in a promiscuous body of governors selected from various dissimilar sources. Thirdly, not only must the chief officer prove prompt, decisive, and indefatigably zealous, but his deputy must also be of the same stamp, and the subordinates must continue to be weeded, until you are enabled to retain men who are at once patient, just, and vigilant, and who are capable of appreciating the public utility of their arduous task. That such men are to be found, has been demonstrated to my entire satisfaction. The silent system, to be properly carried out, moreover requires a very extended space;

When the Duke of Richmond's act interdicted the employment of convicts, and the monitorial system was abolished, the magistrates of Middlesex, resolving to maintain their system, added 82 new officers, under the designation of "sub-warders," to the staff of the prison viz., 56 males, and 26 females.

an advantage which did not exist in Cold Bath Fields, and which is to be found, in a still less degree, in provincial prisons generally. Whereever we failed in Middlesex, it was owing to want of space. In a prison originally built for 232 persons, and by enlargement made gradually to accommodate 450 more, but which at length inclosed 1596 souls, we must manifestly have had to struggle against every imaginable difficulty.1 Still we persevered, and met with eminent success, notwithstanding

1 The late Mr. Whiskin, a magistrate well acquainted with all the details of building, devoted much time to the enlargement and improvement of the prison. Every nook and corner in which a new cell could be raised was made available. Mr. Turner, also a magistrate, and a wrangler of Cambridge University, followed in the same track, and was even still more successful. By the labour of prisoners large dormitories, each capable of containing 100 beds, were erected, which were lighted and watched during the night each by two warders. By such useful inventions the establishment was greatly enlarged; but it was still inadequate to the calls for accommodation, and, from necessity, the very workshops were at the end of the day cleared, and diverted to temporary sleeping accom

modation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ENGLISH PRISONS. 5

the serious odds against us. It shows what indomitable resolution may accomplish; but it is hardly calculable that similar impediments should be steadily confronted, and, by untiring patience, be universally overcome.

In Boston, U. S. (as I was informed by the late secretary of the Prison Discipline Society), their buildings, grounds, and work-rooms, displayed the desired capacity, and thus prisoners were enabled to walk, sit, and work at a safe distance from their fellows. With such advantages, infractions of the rule became rare, because nearly impossible, and thus punishments were avoided.

Looking, therefore, at the general character of prison buildings in this country, their antique, contracted, and irregular form and extent, together with the lack of requisite qualities in most governors, and the unwise parsimony of many local authorities (who, with a view to save a few pounds, sacrifice the substantial interests of society), I am convinced that the silent system is not one that recommends itself to universal adoption in Great Britain.

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MR. CHARLES PEARSON'S PLAN.

The home inspectors, Messrs. Russell and Crawford, were advocates for the general demolition of existing structures, and the erection of the new order of buildings. These latter, in their design, are the best hitherto invented, but they were then most costly, and are still only to be reared at a very great expense. Many buildings are susceptible of modification and extension, and might thus be adapted to whatever system should chance to be preferred, without incurring an enormous outlay. Moreover, society is progressive, and it does not follow that any one mode should for ever maintain its superiority, even if that should be conceded.

Already has another plan been propounded with a view to meet the general exigencies of the state, since transportation has become no longer available. The plan of Mr. Charles Pearson, which was thoroughly sifted, in the session of 1850, by the committee of the House of Commons, of which Mr. E. Denison was chairman, is worthy of the most attentive consideration. As a measure of universal application, it appears to me to suit the entire