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Convict Conditions

Image 78

Revision as of 02:31:17, Apr 05, 2018, Created by 101.0.82.66

To ventilate the "Cellular Division," which practically means one-half of the cells as well, there are floor gratings inserted, which communicate with the air gratings^mentioned above. The measures, 5in. x 3¾in., and the air-passages leading to them are in connection with the spaces under the floors, and, as these floors are more or less open and passages choked, the gratings are practically useless. These gratings are and have been used as spittoons over since they were inserted. There are openings over the four principal entrance doors of the "Division," each opening having an area of five square feet. There are three (3) louvre ventilators in the roof, but only two sides of each are available for ventilation, the other two sides being glazed. Four skylights are fixed in the roof, but owing, as I am informed, to the difficulty of making them water-tight, they are not made to lift; they, therefore, are useless for ventilation. The southern half of the prison was built last, and additional means of ventilation provided by leaving an opening in the inner walls forming the walls of the cellular division, between the two middle joists of each cell floor; these are in communication with the air-flues in the outer wall. I do not think these openings can greatly assist in the supply of pure air or the removal of foul air from the division. It must be remembered that there are 16 cells and a portion of the division dependent on one air-grate, and one aperture at the top of the wall on one side of the prison, to admit the fresh air and eject it on the other, the windows being allowed for as balancing each other. The vent gratings on the West side are in good order, but those on the East side are either choked or purposely stopped.