Part 1: Pages 32-55 Summary

30 September 1874. Miss Prior's mother has suggested she not go back to the prison, but Miss Prior already empathizes with the prisoners and cannot stop thinking about their dreary lives that might be momentarily brightened by her visits. Therefore, instead of attending a session with an artist for her sister's bridal portrait, Miss Prior returns to Millbank. Miss Prior arrives at meal time and watches as the prisoners pick up their meal rations from the men's side of the prison and proceed to carefully eat the meat and watery soup with their meager utensils. Some of the women tell Miss Prior that they dislike eating after the men because they know the men touch their food with dirty hands.

After mealtime, Miss Prior goes to Mrs. Jelf's ward and asks to begin visiting with the prisoners. The first cell Mrs...