Chronicles of Newgate, Vol. 2 From the eighteenth century to its demolition

"Chronicles of Newgate, Vol. 2" by Arthur Griffiths is a look into the dark history of Newgate Prison, spanning from the 1700s to when it was torn down. Griffiths, a former prison inspector, paints a vivid picture of the terrible lives of the prisoners inside, the well-known crimes linked to the jail, and the efforts to improve prisons in England. Readers learn about disgusting neglect and cruel conditions, like extreme overcrowding that led to widespread sickness, including "gaol fever." Griffiths shares true stories and historical bits, like how debtors were treated and how all kinds of prisoners were mixed together, showing the physical and moral decay within the prison's walls. The start acts as a setup for talking about why prisons needed to be fixed, especially because of the public health dangers that came from the horrible shape the prison was in.