Page 19 - All About History - Issue 52-17

Iron grating
The inner wall of each cell composed an iron grating, so as not
to screen any part of the cell from the inspector’s view. Part of
this grating formed a door for access. Bentham suggested the
unobstructed view into the cells from the inspector’s lodge
had a further advantage: it alleviated the “great load of trouble
and disgust” of those inspectors who would be able to see and
communicate with inmates from a distance.

Window blinds in
the inspection lodge
Blinds covered the large windows
of the inspector’s lodge to prevent
inmates seeing whether there was
anyone in there. The windows
would open out, like doors, into
the intermediate or annular
space, to enable communication
with those in the cells whenever
necessary. There was also a
tin tube extending from the
inspector’s lodge to each cell so
the slightest whisper might be
heard by the inspector putting his
ear to the tin tube.

Lamps
Small lamps on the outside of each
window of the inspector’s lodge,
backed by a reflector designed to
throw light into the corresponding
inmate cells, would enable
observation of inmates at night
as well as during the day, and so
maintain at all times the principle
of ‘seeing without being seen’.

The structure
The Panopticon was circular with
cells around the circumference. It
was initially to have two stories
and a diameter of 30 metres,
which would allow for 96 cells,
each six feet wide at the outside
wall with a depth of four metres
Inspector’s lodge Protracted partitions on the ground floor or more than
In the centre was a circular inspection tower. The lodge had large Partitions between the cells were to extend three feet two metres on the first floor
windows to enable the best possible view into the cells. The lodge beyond the iron gratings on the inside wall of the (allowing for an access gallery).
was to be raised from the ground to observe two floors of cells, cells to prevent inmates seeing or communicating However, Bentham contended
with steps from the lodge to the ground. The lodge would also have with others in their cells. This would prevent moral that the Panopticon could have
a passage above the gallery for direct access to the outside so that contamination between inmates, but not extend so up to six stories holding up to a © Adrian Mann
the inspector could not become a prisoner among his prisoners. far that it would obstruct the view from the lodge. staggering 288 inmates!

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