A REVOLVING GAOL.

Western Star, Issue 1055, 12 June 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

A REVOLVING GAOL.

. Jb,-one. j of! the TWestern States' of America'; isi to be found, a gaol, the peculiar feature of which is that the cells are 1 arranged in the form of a great iron cylinder, which revolves about so;;that only one)cell is at the opening at any one time. Thisi cylinder is three stories 1 high; there being ten cells on'each {Loot. Its weight is fortyaye tons, arid this ponderous weight is hung from above instead of turning. : pn a track below. ..The, strangest part of the arrangement is ,that ; the cylinder can be by a simple whepl .with very little force, a man with his left hand moving it readily. When it is complete' it is the intention to have a little^water-motor in the basement, and then by simply moving a lever the cylinder will be set.to, rotating. .It is suggested that whenithere areprisonwho;, it i,s feared, may be'trying to break out, the cylinder pan, by a motor, be easily kept moving very .slowly all night, ;so ;that the prisoners do ,not remain long enough in one place to do any mischief, jor even to crawl but; if they had maile,a., partial break'.. It seems that, prisoners hayeUitrle chance for escape from the new gaol. A cage of iron bars completely ', sprrounds the cylinder in' which; the ipells; are. ; ' The eptrance on each, floor; is guarded by two doors., The officer, standing, outside does not have to unlock; even the first door, but can swing the cylinder around until tne cell appears jm which is the desired simple •:movement the .inner door, is opened and the prisoner can step but of his cell. ' Then the \ officer, can open the, other door, apd' let the' 1 mad put', but the other; prisque/9 are,, away beyond any possible reach of.;,the officer, and it is impossible'fpr them to make any attack on' himj while he- is taking a man put or' putting 'bn'e- in. He can handle any number of men in the same way,:and they cannot .reach him until he chooses to let them.