In China it is inflicted by placing the prisoner in a small bamboo cage; in England by means of the plank bed.

The object of the plank bed is to produce insomnia.

There is no other object in it, and it invariably succeeds.

And even when one is subsequently allowed a hard mattress, as happens in the course of imprisonment, one still suffers from insomnia.

It is a revolting and ignorant punishment.
"With regard to the needs of the mind, I beg that you will allow me to say something.
"The present prison system seems almost to have for its aim the wrecking and the destruction of the mental faculties.