Dormitory at Coldbath Fields Prison

Book illustration showing a dormitory at Coldbath Fields Prison, from page 321 of 'The criminal prisons of London and scenes of prison life' by Henry Mayhew and John Binny. Apart from individual cells, the authors report that Coldbath Fields Prison had five dormitories each measuring 83 ft x 25 ft, with pointed roofs. "At one end are the lavatories, made out of slate, with a porcelain basin let into each of the ten divisions, the bright brass button showing that water is continually laid on." The prisoners slept in hammocks suspended from low iron bars, in three rows, each man sleeping with their heads to each other's feet.