New Prison

The New Prison, completed in 1848, was a model prison of its day.

It had twelve individual cells on three floors, a water closet on each floor, a washroom, accommodation for warders, storerooms and an exercise gallery.

The building was well ventilated and heated, and lit by gas, although at times, to save the expense of heating two buildings when there were few prisoners in the jail, one floor of this prison would be set aside for women.

The prison was designed to improve the character and maintain the health of its inmates, although the prisoners were kept in separate confinement, working, eating and sleeping in their individual cells.

The completion of the New Prison meant that the "separate system" of prison discipline could be introduced under which prisoners were not supposed to see or speak to each other at any time.

It was thought that by keeping them apart they would be reformed by the "influences of solitude, prayer, simple work and the ministrations of sober, upright God fearing attendants".

In practice, this system proved difficult to operate.

See for yourself when you visit Inveraray Jail what life was like when you are locked up in your cell by the Warder and try out your wooden bed or hammock.