What was the role of the guards in relation to the treadmill?
Frequently Asked Question about the extinct profession: Prison Treadmill Operator
In the 19th century, guards supervised prisoners working on treadmills, which were used for labor and punishment. Their role included ensuring safety, maintaining order, and enforcing discipline among inmates. The treadmill served as a means of hard labor, generating power for various tasks, while guards monitored performance and prevented escape attempts, reinforcing the punitive nature of the prison system.