A book edited by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tahir Bilirli, a faculty member of the Department of History, which examines the penal and imprisonment system of the Ottoman Empire from multiple perspectives, has recently been published. The volume offers a comprehensive framework that evaluates the spatial, administrative, legal, and social dimensions of prisons from the pre-Ottoman period through the post-Tanzimat era.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selma Turhan Sarıköse, a faculty member of the Department of History and a contributing chapter author in the book, presented the published work to the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Muhittin Kapanşahin. During the presentation, it was emphasized that the volume constitutes a significant academic contribution by enabling an analysis of Ottoman modernization through the institutions of punishment and incarceration.
The book serves as an important reference not only for researchers interested in the history of the Ottoman penal system but also for those seeking to understand the institutional transformation of the modern state.
The volume aims to present a holistic perspective by bringing together studies that address the transformation of the Ottoman penal and imprisonment system—particularly from the nineteenth century onward—through the spatial, administrative, legal, and social dimensions of prisons. The transition from imprisonment practices centered on dungeons and fortress-prisons inherited from pre-Ottoman Turkish states to the modern prison model shaped after the Tanzimat reforms reflects not merely a change in criminal justice, but also a broader transformation in the state’s perception of individuals, society, and public order.
The study titled “From Dungeon-Fortresses to Modern Prisons in the Ottoman Empire” by Prof. Dr. Barış Sarıköse and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selma Turhan Sarıköse provides a foundational framework by revealing the historical roots of the Ottoman penal system. It is noted that prisons were not widespread institutions in pre-Ottoman Turkish states, and that imprisonment was largely carried out through city fortresses and dungeons. This practice, extending from the Seljuks to the Ottomans, continued until the construction of modern prisons. These dark, poorly ventilated, and unhealthy spaces were referred to as “dungeons” or “dungeon-fortresses.” The study sheds light on the institutional dimension of Ottoman modernization by examining the transformation in penal practices during the nineteenth century Tanzimat era, the emergence of the modern prison concept, and the influence of European models.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selma Turhan Sarıköse’s chapter titled “Cholera Epidemics in Ottoman Prisons During the Late Period” makes a significant contribution to the literature by addressing prisons from a public health perspective. The study emphasizes that cholera epidemics affecting the Ottoman territories in the nineteenth century posed a serious threat, particularly in densely populated public spaces such as prisons, barracks, and schools. Based on archival documents, it demonstrates that despite economic and political challenges, mass deaths in prisons were largely prevented through measures such as quarantine, cordons, health surveillance, personnel assignments, and vaccination. This chapter highlights that prisons were not merely spaces of punishment but also sites where state health policies were implemented.
The chapter titled “Late Ottoman Provincial Prisons: The Case of Cide Prison” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Türkkan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Recep Arslan examines the physical and administrative conditions of provincial prisons through a concrete example. The operation of Cide Prison in the basement of a government building under unhealthy and inadequate conditions, along with the use of an extremely small rented space for female prisoners, clearly reveals the structural problems of provincial prisons. The study shows that attempts to construct new prisons often failed due to economic and political constraints, leading instead to temporary solutions through repairs of existing structures. The Cide case stands as a representative example reflecting the general condition of Ottoman provincial prisons.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tahir Bilirli’s chapter titled “Transformation and Problems in Ottoman Provincial Prisons: The Case of Osmancık Prison” provides a detailed examination of the implementation challenges of post-Tanzimat reforms in the provinces. The operation of Osmancık Prison in rented buildings, the absence of separate facilities for female prisoners, frequent escapes, and staff shortages illustrate why Ottoman prison reforms remained limited in scope. The study underscores the disconnection between legal regulations and practical implementation, revealing the structural obstacles faced during the modernization of provincial prisons.
The chapter “Gelibolu Prison and the Prisoner Profile of 1912” by Lecturer Mustafa Karaca offers significant findings by relating Ottoman prisons to the broader social structure. The location of Gelibolu Prison within the government building, persistent inadequacies in physical and health conditions, and budgetary constraints reflect the chronic problems of provincial prisons. Moreover, statistical data on prisoner profiles—including crime types, educational levels, and ethnic and religious diversity—provide valuable insights into the social and economic structure of Ottoman society.
Dr. Özge Togral’s chapter titled “The Impact of Nineteenth-Century Ottoman Prison Reforms on Beirut” examines how prison reforms manifested differently in the provinces through the example of Beirut. The study reveals that Beirut Prison functioned not only as a penal institution but also as a space for asserting political authority. The presence of political prisoners, administrative inefficiencies, and health and subsistence problems expose the multidimensional and fragile nature of the modernization process. The Beirut case clearly demonstrates the strategic importance of prisons within the Ottoman administrative and political system.
Dr. Selahattin Kaya’s chapter “An Example of Late Ottoman Prisons: The Prisons of Jerusalem” investigates the historical continuity and structural problems of provincial prisons through the Jerusalem district. The integration of prisons with government buildings and madrasas, physical inadequacies, overcrowding, and epidemics illustrate why reform efforts often failed. Additionally, the transfer of prisoners to different centers during the First World War shows that prisons were directly affected by wartime conditions.
In conclusion, this volume approaches Ottoman prisons not merely as spaces of confinement and punishment, but as institutions situated at the intersection of modernization, centralization, public health, social control, and state–society relations. The findings derived from diverse geographical contexts and case studies demonstrate that prison reforms in the final century of the Ottoman Empire were shaped by tensions between intent and capacity, center and periphery, and law and practice. In this respect, the book constitutes an essential reference for researchers interested in the history of the Ottoman penal system as well as for those seeking to understand the institutional transformation of the modern state.