five o’clock in
the afternoon
The entrance is by a narrow and obscure stair-case leading to a dark passage , in which a charcoal stove casts a lurid tint over the objects in its immediate vicinity , and diffuses something like warmth around . From the left-hand side of this passage , the massive door of every cell on the story opens ; and from it alone can they be approached . There are three of these passages , and three of these ranges of cells , one above the other ; but in size , furniture and appearance , they are all precisely alike . Prior to the recorder 's report being made , all the prisoners under sentence of death are removed from the day-room at five o'clock in the afternoon , and locked up in these cells , where they are allowed a candle until ten o'clock ; and here they remain until seven next morning . When the warrant for a prisoner 's execution arrives , he is removed to the cells and confined in one of them until he leaves it for the scaffold . He is at liberty to walk in the yard ; but , both in his walks and in his cell , he is constantly attended by a turnkey who never leaves him on any pretence . We entered the first cell .