The New York Penitentiary on Blackwell's Island stands nearly opposite Fifty-fifth street, and was the first institution established on the island. The southern wing of the building was begun soon after the purchase of the island in 1828, the central portion was next added, and the northern wings are the result of subsequent additions.

The building is constructed of hewn stone and rubble masonry, and consists of a central portion 65 by 75 feet, with three wings each 50 by 200 feet, and several stories high. The floors are of stone and the stairways of iron. There are 500 cells for males, and 256 for females, yet the building is often rather small to accommodate the aspiring candidates. The prisoners sent here are from the New York courts, whose term of confinement with the majority is from one to six months, though occasionally one remains several years. When a prisoner is received, a record is made of his name age, weight, and the condition of his health; also of his nationality, history, and the offence for which he was committed. Every convict is expected to perform some service unless sick, when he is sent to the hospital. Most of them are allowed to follow their former occupations, and are employed at times as blacksmiths, wagon-makers, boat-builders, carpenters, coopers, painters, wheelwrights, shoemakers, tailors, gardeners, stone-cutters, boatmen, etc.; and others, whose former indolence has kept them from every useful occupation, are instructed in the sublime arts of blasting, quarrying, and pounding rocks. The island originally abounded with rich quarries, most of which have now been exhausted in the erection of the princely edifices that crown its surface, a very large proportion of the toil having been performed by the convicts. A gang of men is daily sent to Randall's and another to Hart Islands; to the latter of which, on account of its isolated condition, there is prospect of the entire Penitentiary establishment being removed. The erection of the Infant Hospital, the Inebriate Asylum, the new Insane Asylum, and every other new edifice, furnishes a large amount of toil in grading and ornamenting, to which their time and toil are devoted. Their toil, however, is not rigorous. Indeed, it is immensely lighter than many of us accomplish who are yet out of prison. Toil is also one of the most salutary forms of discipline that can be administered to criminals of any age, grade, or nationality. Without this there can scarcely be reformation, and the neglect of it has plunged most criminals into the sea of infamy in which they are engulfed. A few learn trades while on the island, which enable them, on their return to society, to earn not only an honest, but a comfortable livelihood.

The convicts are all well clad in striped woolen garments, and provided with suitable bedding and food. We saw two small regiments of them at dinner, which consisted of one pound of beef, ten ounces of bread, and a quart of vegetable soup per man. At breakfast, they are served with ten ounces of bread, and one quart of good coffee each.