New York Women's House of Detention
Encyclopedia
The New York Women's House of Detention was a women's prison
in New York City
which existed from 1932 to 1974.
Built on the site of the Jefferson Market Prison that had succeeded the Jefferson Market in Manhattan
's Greenwich Village
, the New York Women's House of Detention is believed to have been the world's only art deco
prison. It was designed by Sloan & Robertson in 1931 at a cost of $2,000,000 and opened to the public by Richard C. Patterson Jr. on March 29, 1932. It wasn't to receive its first inmates until some time later. Its location at 10 Greenwich Avenue gave the women inmates an opportunity to try to communicate with people walking by. After the prison was officially closed on June 13, 1971, Mayor Lindsay began the demolition of the prison in 1973 and it was completed the following year. It was replaced with a garden.
Ruth E. Collins was the first superintendent at the prison. She embraced the design of the prison, labeling it "a new era in penology
". Her mission was to effect the moral and social rehabilitation of the women in her charge, giving them a chance for "restoration as well as for punishment". She commissioned a number of art works as part of her mission to uplift the women and treat them all as individuals. One of the Women's House of Dententions most famous inmates was Ethel Rosenberg.
In its later years, allegations of racial discrimination, abuse
and mistreatment dogged the prison. Angela Davis
has been outspoken about the treatment she witnessed. Andrea Dworkin
's testimony of her assault by two of the prison's doctors led to its eventual closing.
The prison featured prominently in the 2004 film House of D
.
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
which existed from 1932 to 1974.
Built on the site of the Jefferson Market Prison that had succeeded the Jefferson Market in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
's Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
, the New York Women's House of Detention is believed to have been the world's only art deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
prison. It was designed by Sloan & Robertson in 1931 at a cost of $2,000,000 and opened to the public by Richard C. Patterson Jr. on March 29, 1932. It wasn't to receive its first inmates until some time later. Its location at 10 Greenwich Avenue gave the women inmates an opportunity to try to communicate with people walking by. After the prison was officially closed on June 13, 1971, Mayor Lindsay began the demolition of the prison in 1973 and it was completed the following year. It was replaced with a garden.
Ruth E. Collins was the first superintendent at the prison. She embraced the design of the prison, labeling it "a new era in penology
Penology
Penology is a section of criminology that deals with the philosophy and practice of various societies in their attempts to repress criminal activities, and satisfy public opinion via an appropriate treatment regime for persons convicted of criminal offenses.The Oxford English Dictionary defines...
". Her mission was to effect the moral and social rehabilitation of the women in her charge, giving them a chance for "restoration as well as for punishment". She commissioned a number of art works as part of her mission to uplift the women and treat them all as individuals. One of the Women's House of Dententions most famous inmates was Ethel Rosenberg.
In its later years, allegations of racial discrimination, abuse
Prisoner abuse
Prisoner abuse is the mistreatment of persons while they are under arrest or incarcerated.Abuse falling into this category includes:* Physical abuse: Needless beating, hitting, or other corporal punishment....
and mistreatment dogged the prison. Angela Davis
Angela Davis
Angela Davis is an American political activist, scholar, and author. Davis was most politically active during the late 1960s through the 1970s and was associated with the Communist Party USA, the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Panther Party...
has been outspoken about the treatment she witnessed. Andrea Dworkin
Andrea Dworkin
Andrea Rita Dworkin was an American radical feminist and writer best known for her criticism of pornography, which she argued was linked to rape and other forms of violence against women....
's testimony of her assault by two of the prison's doctors led to its eventual closing.
The prison featured prominently in the 2004 film House of D
House of D
House of D is 2005 drama film directed by David Duchovny as his directorial debut in film, having previously directed an episode of The X-Files for television. The film stars Erykah Badu, Frank Langella, Téa Leoni, Zelda Williams, Anton Yelchin, and Robin Williams...
.