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American Sketches: Blackwell's Island Penitentiary, New York - Dining-Room, 1876. Creator: Unknown
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American Sketches: Blackwell's Island Penitentiary, New York - Dining-Room, 1876. Creator: Unknown
American Sketches: Blackwell's Island Penitentiary, New York - Dining-Room, 1876. Blackwell's Island is the locality of several different institutions, besides the House of Correction, as we should call it, where our Artist, M. Felix Regamey, made his sketches. About six hundred prisoners, one hundred of them being females, may be confined here at one time. As we have before remarked, quite half of them are not Americans born, but are mostly from Ireland and from Germany; their offences are petty larceny and personal assaults, and their sentences commonly to less than six months imprisonment. The treatment adopted in this "Penitentiary " seems to be judicious, and fairly carried out; all the prisoners are compelled to labour in some useful work. Our present Illustration is one showing the scene in their dining-room at the mid-day meal'. From "Illustrated London News", 1876
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Media ID 36368153
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Canteen Convict Convicts Dining Room Dinner Eating Felix Elie Regamey Felix Régamey Island Lunch Luncheon Lunchtime Meal Mealtime Penitentiary Prison Prison Officer Prisoner Prisoners Regamey Felix Regamey Felix Elie Roosevelt Island Stripe Striped Stripes Surveillance Uniforms Welfare Island Afro American
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This image is taken from the 'Illustrated London News' of 1876, showcasing the dining room of Blackwell's Island Penitentiary in New York. The penitentiary, located on Blackwell's Island, housed approximately six hundred prisoners, including one hundred females, at any given time. A significant number of these inmates were not American-born but hailed from Ireland and Germany. Their offenses primarily consisted of petty larceny and personal assaults, and their sentences typically did not exceed six months. The treatment meted out in this "Penitentiary," as it was referred to, appeared to be thoughtful and effectively implemented. All prisoners were required to engage in some form of productive labor. In this illustration, we witness the bustling scene in the dining room during the mid-day meal. The long, communal table is filled with inmates, some deep in conversation while others focus on their food. The atmosphere is orderly, with inmates lining up to be served by the prison staff. The scene conveys a sense of routine and structure, which was a crucial aspect of the penitentiary system during this era. The artist, M. Felix Regamey, skillfully captured the essence of this moment, providing us with a glimpse into the daily life of the prisoners at Blackwell's Island Penitentiary. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the past, offering valuable insights into the penal system of the late 19th century.
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