Acts 16:24

"who, having received such. charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks" In response to the command from the magistrates, the jailer places Paul and Silas into what we might call "maximum security". Three compartments were usually found in most Roman prisons. First. room where prisoners had light and fresh air, then another room where prisoners were made secure behind iron gates. Finally,. dungeon, or room where there was no light and the only air came from underneath the door. This may have been. place of utter darkness, little air, filth and an incredible stench. "Made their feet fast in the stocks" "Two heavy pieces of timber would be opened, the legs of the prisoners stretched widely apart till their muscles began to hurt, and the timbers clamped shut. Clamped in such. spread-legged position they would be unable to walk, and they would be forced to lie with their backs or faces on the ground" (Reese p. 586).