From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation,
search Lockstep in the Auburn Prison, c.1910  Lockstep marching
or simply lockstep refers to marching, in the USA, in a very
close single file in such a way that the leg of each person in
the file moves in the same way and at the same time as the
corresponding leg of the person immediately in front of him, so
that their legs stay very close all the time.  Originally it was
used in drilling soldiers. Each soldier stepped on the point
just vacated by the foot of the soldier in front of him. Thus
the soldiers stayed in position to form close files.[1]
Lockstep marching was a characteristic trait of American prisons
of the 19th century.[2] "Inmates formed in single file, right
hand on the shoulder of the man in front, left hand on the side;
the convicts then stepped off in unison, raising the right foot
high and shuffling with the left."[3] The reason for the
shuffling step was the chain that connected the legs of a chain
gang.  In the Auburn Prison, Joh