NEW YORK TOMBS - ITS SECRETS AND ITS MYSTERIES

• NCJ Number: 11960
• Author(s): C J SUTTON
• Editor(s): J B MIX, S A MACKEEVER
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 681 pages
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT OF THE 1874 EDITION WITH A 1973 INTRODUCTION

Annotation

REPRINTED EDITION OF AN 1874 HISTORY OF THE TOMBS, THE COUNTY JAIL OF NEW YORK COUNTY SINCE 1838, WRITTEN BY THE THEN WARDEN, CHARLES SUTTON.

Abstract

SUTTON'S NARRATIVE COVERS NOT ONLY THE HISTORY OF THE TOMBS, BUT THAT OF ITS MORE ILLUSTRIOUS INMATES AS WELL. IN DESCRIBING NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF CONVICTION, IMPRISONMENT, AND EXECUTION, THE AUTHOR'S ACCOUNTS OFFER CONSIDERABLE INSIGHT INTO NINETEENTH CENTURY SOCIETY'S VIEWS AND ATTITUDES TOWARD BOTH CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND PUNISHMENT. TO GIVE A BROADER LOOK AT CONFINEMENT DURING THE PERIOD, THE BOOK INCLUDES SKETCHES OF SING SING AND THE PENITENTIARY ON BLACKWELL'S ISLAND.