Page:Elizabeth Fry (Pitman 1884).djvu/71

Rh other day, on the point of lying-in, brought to bed not many hours after she came in. She had hardly a covering; no stockings, and only a thin gown. Whilst we are there, we can never see a woman in that state without immediately applying to our fund.

"When they come in they come naked almost?

"Yes, this woman came in, and we had to send her up almost every article of clothing, and to clothe her baby. She could not be tried the next sessions, but after she had been tried, and when she was discharged, she went out comfortably clothed; and there are many such instances.

"Has it not happened that when gentlemen have come in to see the prison, you have been obliged to stand before the women who were in the prison in a condition not fit to be seen?

"Yes, I remember one instance in which I was obliged to stand before one of the women to prevent her being seen. We sent down to the matron immediately to get her clothes.

"How long had the woman been in gaol?

"Not long; for we do not, since we have been there, suffer them to be a day without being clothed.

"What is the average space allowed to each woman to lie upon, taking the average number in the prison?

"I cannot be accurate, not having measured; from eighteen inches to two feet, I should think.

"By six feet?

"Yes. I believe the moral discipline of a prison can never be complete while they are allowed to sleep together in one room. If I may be allowed to state it, I should prefer a prison where women were allowed to work together in companies, under proper superintendence; to have their meals together, and their