The old part of the prison was a detached block made up of six individual cells having an approximate area of 5.4 square metres. For some time they were used for the confinement of two prisoners each. The massive low doors are still the original ones. Two or three underground cells are recorded but, so far, no evidence has been unearthed yet.
Communal cell
Today’s entrance hall of the Old Prison served as a common cell after the building was modified during the early decades of the 19th century. This large cell still maintains important features such us the cell door and several graffiti, proving that it was in fact a place of reclusion. Two ventilation channels leading to the lower part could possibly have served some subterranean units.
Sanitary facilities
Every cell had its own cesspit with a stone curb to serve as a toilet. These can still be observed in the corner of each cell. In later times, the bucket system was probably used for better hygiene. Initially a wooden bucket was used, later being replaced by a ceramic one which could be easily cleaned and disinfected.
Graffito of a marine vessel
In places of solitude or confinement graffiti retain great significance as they often represent the insights of people being held captive. One of the most represented forms of graffiti in the Old Prison is that of marine vessels. One may observe several kinds of ships and boats from different periods in history. They are thus important for dating the graffiti themselves since certain characteristics of the vessel can be clearly associated with a particular period of time such as the Knights’ or British periods.
Graffito showing tally marks
One of the biggest concerns of a prisoner is to regain his freedom. A common way of keeping track of the number of remaining days of reclusion was by keeping personal tallies. These come in different forms in this prison. The most common is a horizontal line with short verticals above or below the line. Other types come in the form of ladders, portholes on ships or by adding oars to a galley.
Graffito showing a hand profile
The hand print is another common type among the Prison’s graffiti. It is a more personal form of record. On the prison walls, one can notice the outlines of small delicate hands and much larger ones. The small hands may denote the presence of boys or women in prison. Some hand profiles are accompanied by some other form of identification such as names, dates and numerals.
Mason’s marks
Another form of graffiti is to be found in some of the cells on the barrel vaults. These do not belong to prisoners but are mason’s or builder’s marks: symbols often found on dressed stone in buildings. In the Old Prison these marks are represented as an ‘X’ or as fish-like symbols.
