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The only book in the cell was the Bible, the only occupation was prayer. The prisoners did not do any more work. Later, due to the large number of mental disorders among prisoners, the detention regime was somewhat relaxed and the prisoners were given the opportunity to work. At the same time, books and some writing instruments appeared in the cells.
«Here stands his loom, or workbench, or spinning wheel, and here he works, sleeps, and wakes up, and marks the change of seasons, and grows old.»
Charles Dickens, American Notes.