A BTJSSIAN PBISON.

Mataura Ensign, Volume V, Issue 224, 26 January 1883, Page 5

A RUSSIAN PRISON.

In the cells of the upper and middle tiers are put the least compromisfld j criminals. All the cells are of the Borne size— ten feet long, seven feet broad and twelve feet high. The doors have each two openings — one large enough for the daily food and drink to tie put in through it, and the other of smaller size; to serve as a spy hole for the jailers. The doors are also each fastened with two padlocks — the key of one being in the jailor'B custody, whuV that of the other remains 'in charge of -he Commandant of the fortress. The dish from which the prisoner eats is pushed in through grooves cut 'in a plate of iron which projects from the interior of the door, at a height of about four feet from the floor. The dish cannot, therefore, 1 be removed by the prisoner, who. must take his food: standing against the door, and' this with a spoon which is attached to the plate. The drinking water is put in a sort of jug hinged to tie < door. When the prisoner wishes to; drink he nvust get down upon his knees and turn this vessel upon its hinges or pivots, Food is supplied at eleven o'clock in the morning and, six in ithe evening, and ordinarily consists of oatmeal gruel and a quarter of a kilogram of meat; besides this, there is a daily allowance of a kilogram of rye bread. The prisoner's bed consists of a plank, six feet by three, with a straw mattress, a sheet so strong and coarse that it is impossible to tear it, and a covering of folt— all of which articles are taken away during the day. The dress consists of a gpey woollen jacket, quite short and tight fitting, short pantaloons of the same colour, and long felt boots. For women the jacket is supplied, and a grey skirt added. The prisoners must get up at six o'clock and go to bed again a* eight. It has been ascertained by means of the secret observations which are constantly being taken through the peep, holes, that, a* a general rule, the prisoners spend their longiumrs from their rising until their breakfast in pacing to and fro in their cells j after this, they are wont to remain quiet for an hour or so, only to give way in the next to an excess of desolate despair, which their pitiable situation may well inspire,— Cologne Gawftfa