Pentonville prison
Pentonville prison in London was the most famous prison that was run as a separate prison. It opened in 1842 and became the model for other prisons built after it. It was designed specially with wings radiating from a central hall, based on the design of Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, USA. These wings allowed for individual cells for prisoners. When the prison opened, it was designed for 520 inmates. Similar designs were then used in 54 other prisons.
Pentonville and the separate system
The purpose of Pentonville was originally to keep prisoners separate so that they could learn the 'error of their ways' through religious teachings. They were also expected to work in the prison. This isolation had an extremely negative impact on the mental health of many prisoners, which is why writers such as Charles Dickens were very critical of treating prisoners in this way.
Pentonville and capital punishment
One of the biggest changes at Pentonville prison at the start of the 20th century was that it became a place of execution after Newgate Prison was closed in 1902. The famous hangman Albert Pierrepoint taught executioners at Pentonville until 1960.
Between 1902 and 1961, 120 men were executed at Pentonville, including the poisoner Dr Hawley Crippen in 1910 and Timothy Evans in 1953. The miscarriage of justice surrounding Evans’ death was one of the cases that led to the abolition of the death penalty. Evans was found guilty of the murder of his wife and their infant daughter, based on the evidence provided by a neighbour, John Christie. Evans claimed that he was innocent. Several years after Evans had been executed, the police found evidence that Christie was responsible for a number of murders of women. He was arrested and convicted of these murders and confessed to killing Evans’ wife as well.
Pentonville up to the present day
Since World War Two, there has been consistent growth in the number of criminals in prison as a result of the rising crime rate and the issuing of longer sentences. As a result, prisons have become more and more overcrowded. In 2019, the Howard League for Penal Reform reported that Pentonville had 1065 prisoners in a building designed for 938. Pentonville was scheduled for closure in 1976. However, because of the rising population, it was kept open and refurbished instead.
Pentonville is currently a prison for male category B and C prisoners. Between 2014 and 2019 there were a number of inspection reports criticising conditions in Pentonville, as well as concerns about security.
