Inmates who broke prison rules were sent to the punishment cell, where they were kept in absolute darkness and solitude. Three heavy doors separate this small room from the prison corridor. Prisoners were condemned to the punishment cell for up to three days on a diet of dry bread and water. When the prison was first opened in 1829, the punishment cell was used only in daytime and was not darkened. It was from 1857 that the cell was used to keep unruly prisoners in darkness and solitude.