Rasphuis

Rasphuis was a prison in Amsterdam, which was founded in 1596 in the former Clarisse convent at Heiligeweg. In 1815, it was abandoned and in 1892 the building was canceled.

The breeding and house of correction for women was the Spinhuis.

After the 16 -year-old Evert Jansz had confessed after torture by the executioner to have stolen from his boss, the decision was made on 19 June 1589 based on the ideas of Cornelis Pietersz Hooft and Dirck Volkertszoon Coornhert, establishing the penitentiary. The Rasphuis, which was one of the first European penitentiaries was intended primarily for beggars and youthful petty criminals. Life in prison was marked by three basic rules:

In a cell up to twelve prisoners found room was slept for two or three to a bed. The adhesive in a single cell was only as an additional punishment application.

At times, it was the most famous house in Holland: Its inhabitants, convicted offenders were used to light work and could almost be visited any time by anyone. It got its name from the Brazilian Redwood, the inmates cut up for further processing ( " grate " ) had. The powder was used for the coloration of textiles. For those who would not work, there was a basement room, which could be flooded. The prisoner had to pump a hand pump and thus the election or to drown.

Although the Rasphuis since 1602 had the privilege of Hartholzraspelns could, contrary to the contemporary literature which emphasized the special economy of the penitentiary, the revenues can not cover the costs.

It was - trying to educate the prisoners to a good life change - through strict management, spiritual pastoral care and a system of prohibitions and obligations.

A permanent view from the outside created an entirely new form of entertainment, but also immediately provoked criticism in Europe: One complained that poor people " like animals on display " would. Behind this was a derived partly from the humanism, partly from Calvinism moral concept: shame should be the first road to recovery.

The Rasphuis formed the basis for the other bodies created at this time, breeding farms, which further developed these principles.

In Ghent, a penitentiary was also established in 1775, had to grate where prisoners redwood. This was, therefore, also popularly known Rasphuis.