RUSSIAN PRISONS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3107, 16 March 1883, Page 3

RUSSIAN PRISONS.

In the cells of the upper and middle tiers are put the least compromised criminals. All the cells are of the same B j ze _ten feet long, seven feet broad, and twelve feet high. The doors have each two openings—one large enough for the daily rood and drink to be jmt in through, and the other of smaller size, t o a erve as a spy hole for the gaolers. The

doors are also each fastened with two padlocks—the key of one being in the gaolers' custody, while that of the other remains in charge of the commandant of the fortress. The dish from which the prisoner eats is pushed 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. Ihe dish cannot, therefore, be removed by the prisoner, who must take his food standing against the door—and tins with a spoon which is attached to the plate. The drinkihg water is put into a jug hinged to the door. When the prisoner wishes to drink, he must get down on his knees and turn this vessel upon its hinges or pivots. Pood is supplied at eleven o clock in the morning and six in the evening, and ordinarily consists of oatmeal gruel and a quarter of o kilogramme of meal. Besides these, there is a daily allowance of a kilogramme of rye bread. Ihe 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 felt all o£ which articles are taken away during the day. The dress consists of a grey woollen jacket quite short and tight fitting, short pantalloonsof the same color, 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 at eight. It has been ascertained, by means of the secret observations which are constantly taken through the peep-holes, that, as a general rule, the prisoners spend tK ir long hours from their rising until their breakfast in pacing too and fro in their cells ; after this they are wont to remain quiet for an hour or so, only to give way next to an excess of desolute dispair, which their pitiable situation may well inspire.