Padded cell
Encyclopedia
A padded cell is a cell
in a mental hospital
with cushions lining the walls. The padding is an attempt to prevent a patient from hurting him/herself by hitting his/her head (or other bodily parts) on the hard surface of the walls. In most cases, the person placed in a padded cell is compelled to be there.
A padded cell is sometimes colloquially known as a 'rubber room'.
Most padded cells are the same size as a single room, about 10 feet from front to back and about 8 feet wide, and are designed for single occupancy, short-term occupation. The walls and floor are padded. The padding is about four inches deep. The walls are usually made of pouches of strong canvas or leather, covered in rubberised paint. The floor is covered in leather. Often the padding used was cork crumbs. The door to the cell was made of very strong wood or wood reinforced with steel. The door had an observation port which allowed a full and uninterrupted view of the room and its occupant. The inside of the door was also padded. The doors were typically secured by locks and bolts of various designs.
The length of time patients were kept in a padded cell would vary greatly. Sometimes patients could remain locked in one for several days. A patient might also be made to wear a straitjacket
if he/she was considered a risk of self harm.
The use of padded cells and straitjackets fell dramatically following the introduction of psychotropic drugs in the 1950s and their presence/use is now rare in modern mental health care facilities.
A reconstructed padded cell is maintained at the Stephen Beaumont Museum
, Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield, UK
Prison cell
A prison cell or holding cell or lock-up is a small room in a prison, or police station where a prisoner is held.Prison cells are usually about 6 by 8 feet in size with steel or brick walls and one solid or barred door that locks from the outside. Many modern prison cells are pre-cast. Solid doors...
in a mental hospital
Mental Hospital
Mental hospital may refer to:*Psychiatric hospital*hospital in Nepal named Mental Hospital...
with cushions lining the walls. The padding is an attempt to prevent a patient from hurting him/herself by hitting his/her head (or other bodily parts) on the hard surface of the walls. In most cases, the person placed in a padded cell is compelled to be there.
A padded cell is sometimes colloquially known as a 'rubber room'.
Most padded cells are the same size as a single room, about 10 feet from front to back and about 8 feet wide, and are designed for single occupancy, short-term occupation. The walls and floor are padded. The padding is about four inches deep. The walls are usually made of pouches of strong canvas or leather, covered in rubberised paint. The floor is covered in leather. Often the padding used was cork crumbs. The door to the cell was made of very strong wood or wood reinforced with steel. The door had an observation port which allowed a full and uninterrupted view of the room and its occupant. The inside of the door was also padded. The doors were typically secured by locks and bolts of various designs.
The length of time patients were kept in a padded cell would vary greatly. Sometimes patients could remain locked in one for several days. A patient might also be made to wear a straitjacket
Straitjacket
A straitjacket is a garment shaped like a jacket with overlong sleeves and is typically used to restrain a person who may otherwise cause harm to themselves or others. Once the arms are inserted into the straitjacket's sleeves, they are then crossed across the chest...
if he/she was considered a risk of self harm.
The use of padded cells and straitjackets fell dramatically following the introduction of psychotropic drugs in the 1950s and their presence/use is now rare in modern mental health care facilities.
A reconstructed padded cell is maintained at the Stephen Beaumont Museum
West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum
The West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum comprised four hospitals under the West Riding General Asylums Committee:* 1818 Stanley Royd Hospital, Stanley, Wakefield* 1872 Wadsley, Middlewood, Sheffield* 1888 High Royds Hospital, Menston...
, Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield, UK
External links
- TheTimeChamber - History and photographs of Padded Cells in Great Britain