Stephen Crane

82 years ago today on April 19, 1927 Mae West was convicted at The Jefferson Market Courthouse on obscenity charges for her play Sex. The play, which she also wrote, produced, and directed, was her first starring role on Broadway. The production had been open for close to a year and playing to full houses before it was raided by the police. West received a $500 fine and was sentenced to ten days in jail. She spent one night in the Woman’s House of Detention before moving to Welfare Island (now known as Roosevelt Island). She was released after eight days for good behavior and the resulting publicity only increased her fame.

The Woman’s House of Detention was demolished in 1973 and replaced with the community garden that is now on the south side of Jefferson Market. For more information on this notorious jail take a look Hellhole: The Shocking Story of the Inmates and Life in the New York City House of Detention for Women by Sara Harris, located in our reference collection and for your viewing pleasure there is the feature film House of D starring David Duchovny and Robin Williams.  read more »