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THE NEW IDEA IN PRISON
BUILDING
THE PLAN OF THE NEW PENITENTIARY AS DESIGNED BY A CHICAGO ARCHITECT
A N old time convict, if transported cular dining room is placed in the cen­
/\ tu the new penitentiary builil- tral portion ; surrounding this are eight
/ \ ings now being constructed circular cell houses for the prisoners, all
j % near Joliet, Illinois, would connected with the dining room by cor­
rub his eyes and wonder. In ridors. Between these radiating corri­
place of the old style cells, arranged in dors are the kitchen, bakery, private
straight rows tier above tier, damp, dining room, office, and guard rooms, all
cheerless, and insanitary, he would find opening directly into the dining room.
a circular arrangement, with well lighted, Two large work rooms are placed far
well ventilated cells that are as sanitary in the rear, but are also connected with
as cleanliness and care can make them. the dining room by a corridor. The
A glance at the bird's-eye view of the warehouses for the storage of raw ma­
buildings, shown in the accompanying terial and manufactured products are
illustration, will show to what extent the just in the rear of the work rooms. At
arrangement of the buildings marks a one side is the chapel, with a stage, a
new departure. The administration large auditorium, and separate rooms for
building at the entrance suggests the con­ those of the Catholic and Jewish faiths.
ventionalarrange­ Opposite this is the
ment, but everything
hospital, with special
else is radically dif­
wards for those with
ferent. The buildings
tuberculosis and con­
are grouped so as to
tagious diseases.
secure the greatest
The 1 a u n d ry and
convenience in ad­
shower baths are in
ministration. As all
a building at the left
must eat. even in a
of the long corridor
prison, a large cir- Cross-Section of One of the Cell Houses to the work rooms.
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