A fascinating look at the inner workings of the Fresnes Prison in 1903. The prison was built between 1895 and 1898, and was a new building at the time of this report.
During WWII, the Nazis used this prison to torture members of the French Resistance and captures British SOE agents.
The lecture room of a French prison
Many remarkable things come out of France, and not the least remarkable is depicted by the accompanying illustration.
In accordance with the plans of a recently formed “society for lectures and discussions in prisons,” the authorities of the prison of Fresnes have fitted up a unique lecture room wherein the involuntary guests of the state listen to some entertaining and, let us hope, instructive addresses on drink and kindred evils.
As will be seen, the unhappy auditors are confined in boxlike arrangements with but an opening sufficient for them to peer through and so arranged that no prisoner can catch a glimpse of his fellows.
The box on the right with the wired aperture is evidently for the accommodation of some criminal more dangerous than his mates.
The prison of Fresnes is famed as being not only the largest in the world, but the most hygienic.
It is here that the Humberts are confined.
Source: The daily telegram. (Clarksburg, W. Va.), 07 Nov. 1903.
