Ash Street Jail - Oldest Jail in the Country

The Bristol County Jail & House of Correction located on Ash Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts was started in 1829, and is the oldest running jail in the United States. The Ash street jail, as it is known, has been a controversial facility since it opened. It is believed to be the site of the last pubic hanging in Massachusetts sometime in the 1890's. Two big riots broke out in the 90's (1993, 1998) and since then the facility has been modified to alleviate some of the crowded conditions that resulted in the riots. The Ash street jail currently houses mostly inmates waiting their trial, along with 18 inmates who are serving time and help with the maintenance of the facility. On any given day the number of inmates housed at the facility rises and falls relative to the day of the week. Weekends usually see the number of inmates increase. The architecture of the jail is vastly different from the clean cut rooms of modern jails and has been the subject of many lawsuits by those who claim the jail is unsafe. When asked why he keeps the 180 year old jail opened, Sheriff Tom Hodgson replied. 'a jail should be a place that people don't want to return'. PHOTOS PETER PEREIRA
The Bristol County Jail & House of Correction located on Ash Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts was started in 1829, and is the oldest running jail in the United States. The Ash street jail, as it is known, has been a controversial facility since it opened. It is believed to be the site of the last pubic hanging in Massachusetts sometime in the 1890's. Two big riots broke out in the 90's (1993, 1998) and since then the facility has been modified to alleviate some of the crowded conditions that resulted in the riots. The Ash street jail currently houses mostly inmates waiting their trial, along with 18 inmates who are serving time and help with the maintenance of the facility. On any given day the number of inmates housed at the facility rises and falls relative to the day of the week. Weekends usually see the number of inmates increase. The architecture of the jail is vastly different from the clean cut rooms of modern jails and has been the subject of many lawsuits by those who claim the jail is unsafe. When asked why he keeps the 180 year old jail opened, Sheriff Tom Hodgson replied. 'a jail should be a place that people don't want to return'.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 An inmate walks by the barbed wire fence back to his cell after having lunch. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Inmates walk out of their cells to go to lunch. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 William White puts on his prosthetic arm which he uses when he goe to have lunch in his cell. Mr. White has been in for 6 weeks waiting for his lawyer to clarify a situation. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
An inmate walks back to his cell after having lunch. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 An inmate walks back into the cell block after having lunch. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 James S. Cheshire awaits his trial for using and selling narcotics (crack). The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Jason Rogers who is wating trial says he has been well treated at the jail, but wishes he was home for the holidays. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
Captain John Murphy takes care of a situation in one of the cells of the inmates serving time. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Inmates servince sentence time have a common area between their cells where they can converse or watch television. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 A prison guard keeps his eyes on the activity down below from the top level of the jails inner cube. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
An inmate leaves the door into the courtyard passing the huge glass block wall that lets most of the light into the facility. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Officer Michael Bala checks to see if everyone is in their cells as he prepares for lock down. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Captain John Murphy opens the outer courtyard door in preparation to let inmates go to lunch. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Officer Michael Bala waits to lift the handle that will lock the inmates in their cells. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
Officer Bouley monitors inmates as they make their way back to their cells. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Paul Dupras who is serving a 1 year sentence for parole violation watches television in the common area of section for inmates serving time. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 An inmate walks into the shower cell in the area reserved for inmates serving time. The towels put up by inmates to attempt at some privace. The telephone to the left can be used by any inmate but is accessed using a PIN number that needs to be set up by a family member with preparid plan. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
Officer Doug Rankin speaks on the phone in the central control room with a glass ceiling as inmates look down from above. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 An officer looks on as an inmate mops the floor. The inmates that are serving sentences are given maintenance tasks throught the jail. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Hector Fernandes looks over some of his lawyers paperwork as he prepares to be released to a biblical program after being held at the Ash St. jail following a probation violation. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 A guard keeps his eyes on his floor. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
Inmates walk back to their cells after enjoying some outside time. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 James S. Cheshire, left, who is awaiting trial on using and selling narcotics waits his trial in his cell as next door, Hector Fernandes who is about to be released to a biblical program after serving time for violating his probation reads some of his lawyers paperwork. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Lt Christine Botelho fills in the log book as she prepares to do lockk down. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 An inmate walks back to his cell after being out in the courtyard. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
Officer Michael Bala locks down the inmates serving time. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Robert Potvin reads a book after lockdown in his cell. Mr Potvin will be in the jail for a totalof 15 months after being sentenced. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Officer Holtzman looks on as an inmate picks up his lunch. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 Quinones Edwin sweeps the recreation room where inmates work out or make phone calls. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
Captain John Murphy receives the outgoing mail from the inmates. The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 The Bristol County Jail and House of Correction on Ash St. in New Bedford, MA was built in 1829 and is the oldest operating jail in the country. Almost all of the inmates at the jail are awaiting trial date. Eighteen of the inmates have been sentenced and are active in the maintenance of the facility.
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
 PHOTOS PETER PEREIRA peterpereira.com
Ash Street Jail - Oldest Running Jail in the Country
PHOTOS BY PETER PEREIRA
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