They were damp and fetid, and when the door was closed you were in Egyptian darkness.

I cannot conceive that such horrid punishment is necessary or justifiable.

The prison authorities have every inmate absolutely in their power, and if they are obliged to resort to the black-hole, it must be from want of foresight or the general imbecility of the system.
The flogging was always done outside the black-hole, in the bath-room at the foot of the D wing.

I have often heard screaming wretches dragged along the corridor, and their cries of agony as their backs were lacerated by the cat.

Singularly, the dinner hour was always selected for this performance, which must have been a great stimulus to the appetites of new comers.