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Literary
November 12, 1822
The Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Description of the Tread Mill, a device introduced in English penitentiaries for prisoner labor and discipline, resembling an endless staircase. It reduces recidivism and is simple to operate. Similar mills are being adopted in New York and potentially across America, allowing useful applications for prisoner support.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
PRISON DISCIPLINE
A machine has lately been introduced into the penitentiaries in England, under the care of the society for the improvement of Prison Discipline which promises, in an eminent degree, to accomplish its object. It is called the "Tread Mill:" and consists of a wheel exactly similar to a common water wheel, having tread boards of sufficient length to allow of ten, twenty or more prisoners to stand upon them: their weight acts upon the wheel, and, as it moves round, those upon it must continually lift their feet to the next step. This motion is constant, and cannot be remitted without stopping the wheel, which is immediately known to the manager by a bell connected with the machinery. There is a hand rail, running the whole length of the wheel, parallel with their breasts, for the prisoners to take hold of, and a screen is fixed over their heads, to prevent their ascending above the level, where the power is exerted to most effect.
The wheel of the mill in the house of correction at Brixton, county of Surrey, England, is 5 feet in diameter, and revolving twice in a minute, the space stepped over by each man is 2193 feet, or 731 yards per hour. The punishment is, that of ascending an endless flight of steps. It has proved highly useful in decreasing the number of commitments; many prisoners having been known to declare, that they would sooner undergo any species of fatigue, or suffer any deprivation, than return to the house of correction, when once released. The machinery is remarkable for its simplicity; it requires no previous instruction: no task master is necessary to watch over the work of the prisoners. Neither are materials nor instruments put into their hands that are liable to waste or misapplication.
We understand these mills are introduced into New York-if the result is as has been described, it cannot be long before they will be adopted throughout this country as they are in England.
It is obvious from the construction of these mills, that they may be applied to several useful purposes, so that prisoners may contribute to their own support, while they are receiving wholesome discipline. They are constructed so as to give degrees of punishment according to the offence.
A machine has lately been introduced into the penitentiaries in England, under the care of the society for the improvement of Prison Discipline which promises, in an eminent degree, to accomplish its object. It is called the "Tread Mill:" and consists of a wheel exactly similar to a common water wheel, having tread boards of sufficient length to allow of ten, twenty or more prisoners to stand upon them: their weight acts upon the wheel, and, as it moves round, those upon it must continually lift their feet to the next step. This motion is constant, and cannot be remitted without stopping the wheel, which is immediately known to the manager by a bell connected with the machinery. There is a hand rail, running the whole length of the wheel, parallel with their breasts, for the prisoners to take hold of, and a screen is fixed over their heads, to prevent their ascending above the level, where the power is exerted to most effect.
The wheel of the mill in the house of correction at Brixton, county of Surrey, England, is 5 feet in diameter, and revolving twice in a minute, the space stepped over by each man is 2193 feet, or 731 yards per hour. The punishment is, that of ascending an endless flight of steps. It has proved highly useful in decreasing the number of commitments; many prisoners having been known to declare, that they would sooner undergo any species of fatigue, or suffer any deprivation, than return to the house of correction, when once released. The machinery is remarkable for its simplicity; it requires no previous instruction: no task master is necessary to watch over the work of the prisoners. Neither are materials nor instruments put into their hands that are liable to waste or misapplication.
We understand these mills are introduced into New York-if the result is as has been described, it cannot be long before they will be adopted throughout this country as they are in England.
It is obvious from the construction of these mills, that they may be applied to several useful purposes, so that prisoners may contribute to their own support, while they are receiving wholesome discipline. They are constructed so as to give degrees of punishment according to the offence.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Political
What keywords are associated?
Treadmill
Prison Discipline
Punishment
Reform
Penitentiary
Labor
Recidivism
Literary Details
Title
Prison Discipline
Subject
Tread Mill For Prison Discipline
Key Lines
It Is Called The "Tread Mill:" And Consists Of A Wheel Exactly Similar To A Common Water Wheel, Having Tread Boards Of Sufficient Length To Allow Of Ten, Twenty Or More Prisoners To Stand Upon Them: Their Weight Acts Upon The Wheel, And, As It Moves Round, Those Upon It Must Continually Lift Their Feet To The Next Step.
The Punishment Is, That Of Ascending An Endless Flight Of Steps.
It Has Proved Highly Useful In Decreasing The Number Of Commitments; Many Prisoners Having Been Known To Declare, That They Would Sooner Undergo Any Species Of Fatigue, Or Suffer Any Deprivation, Than Return To The House Of Correction, When Once Released.