From the Richmond Commercial Bulletin, 9/28/1865, p. 3, c. 1

CASTLE THUNDER. – We alluded on yesterday to the frequent escapes effected by criminals from this notorious prison. We learn that no suspicion attaches to the guards, but that the dilapidated condition of the edifice (which is greatly in need of repairs) enables prisoners sometimes to escape, despite every precaution, and the most ceaseless vigilance.

Another fact, developed on yesterday, proves that there are a great many negro offenders bearing the same name – the Johnson family, particularly, covering some pages of the Castle register; and that sometimes a culprit whose term has not expired, is liberated in the place of one who is entitled to his discharge, thus explaining the appearance of some criminals on the streets, when they ought, by their sentences, to be still incarcerated.

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