Newgate Prison, New York City

In 1797, the Newgate Prison is established in New York City in what will later be known as Greenwich Village. The prison industries Newgate creates will pay for its operation during the next five years. This is a marked distinction from the Walnut Street Jail in Philadelphia and begins the debate regarding which methodology is best, work or idle contemplation.

The warden at Newgate is Thomas Eddy. He and his family live inside the prison to set examples for both inmates and staff. Eddy was born in Philadelphia and has been greatly influenced by Quaker penal reform efforts. His facility offers humane conditions, and particular attention is paid to inmatesı diets. Eddy hires a full-time physician and pharmacist, both prison firsts. Like Walnut Street and many institutions before and afterward, Newgate eventually suffers from overcrowding and deteriorating conditions. Despite prison officials' best intentions, high standards eventually fall by the wayside, and maintaining order becomes the prevailing concern.

The Prison Pen in the Tombs