What is one bar prison?

The One Bar Prison, also known as the single bar prison or the German Prison, is a form of confinement in which a prisoner is restrained by a single iron bar. This type of prison was used in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries as a form of punishment for minor offenses such as drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and petty theft.

The prisoner would be placed in a narrow cell with the bar fastened to the wall. The bar would be positioned so that the prisoner could not move or lie down comfortably, but would be forced to stand upright for the duration of their confinement. The prisoner could not sleep or sit, and would be fed through a small opening in the door.

The One Bar Prison was considered a relatively humane form of punishment because it did not involve physical torture or corporal punishment. However, it was still a severe and cruel form of confinement that could cause severe physical and mental distress. The One Bar Prison was eventually phased out as more humane forms of imprisonment were developed.