New York and Its Institutions, 1609

The prison stands on low, damp ground in the vicinity of poor and riotous neighborhood, is poorly ventilated, was never calculated to well accommodate over two hundred prisoners, yet, the annual average is nearly four hundred, and often greatly exceeds that number. It has lately been condemned by the grand jury of the county as a nuisance, and as the Commissioners have repeatedly recommended the building of a large and well-arranged prison in a more suitable locality, it is not likely that the frowning, dingy "Tombs" will long continue in the city. The building as it appeared some thirty years ago contained a high tower which was destroyed by fire on the day appointed for the execution of Colt, and is believed to have been a part of the unsuccessful plan for his escape. The next largest is the Jefferson Market prison situated at the corner of Greenwich avenue and Tenth street. Its exterior is of brick, and contains besides its court-rooms twenty-five large cells, a single one of which sometimes contains ten or twenty drunken men. The daily commitments here amount to from thirty-five to fifty, and in seasons of general, disorder many more. Adjoining the prison stands engine house No. 11 of the old fire department, which has been arranged for the female prison. This prison is kept remarkably clean, notwithstanding the masses of seething corruption huddled together in it day and night through all the year. The cells are well warmed but not furnished with beds, as the prisoners are usually detained here but one night, and never but a few days. Many of them are so filthy and so covered with vermin, that beds cannot be kept in a proper condition. The third district prison is known as the Essex Market, situated at 69 Essex street, and is a little smaller than the one just described. The fourth is situated at Fifty-seventh street and Lexington avenue; the cells, capable of holding about forty prisoners, are in the basement under the Court-house. Small as these prisons are, no less than 49,423 persons were detained in them during 1870. All classes are seen here from the ignorant imbruted bully to the expert and polished villain. Some are abashed and sit weeping over their folly; others are reticent and collected. The visitor is often, surprised to learn that that handsome female leaning over the banister, clad in rich silks, with gold chain, pin, and bracelets, is a prisoner arrested for disorderly conduct.

The business at the Police Courts, and also at the Court of Sessions, is dispatched with wonderful rapidity. At the former the Justice hears the charge of the officer, the explanation of the prisoner, and decides without counsel or jury whether he shall be discharged, fined, or detained for trial at the Court of Sessions. The vast majority of all arrested are discharged after spending a night in the station-house. The Court of Sessions convenes every Tuesday and Saturday for the trial of all cases involving doubt, argument, or proof. This is strictly a criminal court, and the prisoner is allowed to introduce counsel and witnesses. A visitor from the country where a criminal suit consumes from three to ten days takes his seat in the court-room and is surprised to see six or ten cases disposed of in thirty minutes.

The names of Mrs. Blake and Bridget _______ are called. Bridget has been the servant of Mrs. B., who has caused her arrest for stealing money from the drawer. Mrs. B. takes the witness stand, makes her full statement to the Judge, answers all his questions as to how she knew Bridget took the money, when she caused her arrest, &c. The policeman is next called, who states that he arrested her and found the money. Bridget, who has been leaning on the iron railing which cuts off the prisoners' space from the main court-room, is now called upon. She has no counsel, but wishes Mrs. R. to speak in her behalf. The lady is heard—states that Bridget lived several years in her house, and was never known to steal. The Judge recalls Mrs. Blake and inquires hurriedly, "Has she ever stolen anything of you before "On being told that she has not, he turns to Bridget and says, "The Court suspends judgment as this is the first offence, but if you over come here again I shall send you to Blackwell's Island." Two men are arraigned for striking a policeman who arrested them in a drunken row, swinging a loaded revolver. The officer gives his testimony, after which he is thoroughly sifted by the counsel of the prisoners, who tries in vain to entangle and embarrass him. Next come witnesses for the prisoners (old cronies), who drank freely with them on the occasion referred to, but who know they were not drunk (or disorderly—that the pistol fell out of his pocket, and that the officer was wholly to blame. The officer is recalled, and reaffirms what he has said. "Have you no witnesses to sustain you?" says the Judge. The officer had not supposed it necessary to bring any. The Judge wrings about on his chair, runs his fingers through his whiskers and says, "The law forbids disorderly persons carrying loaded fire-arms; I fine them ten dollars each." Two colored men next respond to the call. The one upon the stand is about forty-five, and deposes that he lost a watch worth twenty-five dollars, and that the prisoner leaning on the rail took it. The prisoner is a plump, well-formed youth of twenty-two, who meanwhile rolls up his eyes and sweeps the entire audience of the court-room. "Did you cause his immediate arrest?" inquires the Judge. "Yes sir." "Did you find the watch?" "I did." "Who arrested him?" "Officer Cone." The officer is called, and details in few words the arrest, search and the recovery of the lost property. The Judge turns to the prisoner and inquires, "Have you counsel?" "Yes, sir." "Who is he?" "A name is given." "He is not here," says the Judge; "I sentence you to the Penitentiary for six months." In this way the business goes on for hours. With all this dispatch the truth is generally reached, and the principal errors are on the side of mercy, dismissing far too many to satisfy justice or answer the ends of good government.

Religious services of some kind are held in the Tombs on every day of the week except Saturday.

Sunday morning and Tuesday forenoon are set apart for the Catholics, while Sunday afternoon and Tuesday afternoon are devoted to the Episcopalians. Monday is reserved for the Methodists if they choose to employ it, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday being devoted to various Protestant Societies who send male and female representatives to read the Scriptures, exhort and pray with the prisoners. We have been explicit in this statement because it has been asserted that only Catholics had free access and full conveniences for conducting worship in this prison. A vast amount of missionary labor is expended here annually by members of all denominations. These pious endeavors are often crowned with excellent results, and though the seed often falls upon a barren soil, the faithful sower shall not lose his reward.