Penitentiary, Millbank

Summary

This house of correction, on which it is proposed to expend nearly 600,000l. is built in a morass. On going towards it, we observed a line, marking the height to which the water occasionally rises; consequently the foundations have hitherto been found entirely defective. The external wall gave way during the time it was building; two towers have already been taken down to prevent their falling; and two more are in a precarious state. Large external cracks are every where visible, and internally the ceilings are separating. The state of the cells, the fissures in the wall, and the derangement of the pavement, seemed to us to warrant alarm, as to the permanence of the building. I mention these circumstances, because I anticipate very considerable and continual expense in its support; and this expense may be confounded with the inevitable charges of the penitentiary system; and thus a prejudice may arise against it. But it is obvious, that the system can have nothing to do with any errors as to the situation which is chosen. It surely is not necessary always to select a swamp for the site of a building, which requires above all things a dry foundation, and a free wholesome atmosphere.