Part 4

Pennsylvania 85 per cent. 15 per cent. Ohio 90 “ 10 “ New Jersey 95 “ 5 “ Indiana 94 “ 6 “ Connecticut 100 “ None. Utah 100 “ None. Michigan 94 “ 6 per cent. Alabama 96 “ 3 “ Virginia 100 “ None. Minnesota 92 “ 8 per cent.

The convicts themselves are enthusiastic in praise of the new plan, for many of them would prefer to lead honest lives if given a fair chance. “The Star of Hope,” a paper written and printed by the convicts of the N. Y. State Prisons, is full of articles in favor of the parole system, which the convicts hope to see adopted throughout the State. At present, it applies to the Elmira Reformatory only.

Indiana State Prison, at Michigan City, has had the parole system in force three years; 132 prisoners have been paroled, 6 have been returned for violation of their parole, 2 have failed to report, and we do not know where they are. We consider this a good showing for the management. We have now 80 men on parole, who make report promptly, earning all the way from $5 to $40 per month and their board, in many cases caring for their families, that would otherwise be a public charge upon the township where they live had the prisoner been kept in confinement.

PROPOSED MARRIAGE REFORM.

The Tri-State Medical Society of Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, in session at Chattanooga, have taken steps to secure medical Legislation in those three States, for the purpose of regulating or prohibiting the marriage of habitual criminals, or persons afflicted with incurable diseases, drunkards and victims of harmful drugs.

CONTRACT, PRICE-PIECE, STATE ACCOUNT.

Formerly the contract plan was followed in most penitentiaries, the labor of each convict being hired out in a certain industry at a fixed sum per day. This has been succeeded in many States by what is known as the price-piece plan, where the contractors pay for the convict labor at so much for each piece of work done; and in other States by manufacturing done on the account of the State.

The contract system, where it is possible to contract the labor at a fair price, is undoubtedly the best one for the State. In such case the State only furnishes the room, heat and labor, saves the great outlay for machinery and power.

If proper contract labor cannot be had for our penitentiaries, then the price-piece plan is the best, and if it is not possible to employ the convicts in any other way, then we should resort to proper industries to be carried on, by State account, like New York.

The convict should be employed, either by contract or price-piece plan before resorting to manufacture on State account. Many a warden at the National Prison Congress, has shown that they could have all the contract or price-piece work that they could do if the law permitted it, but it is the everlasting fear of antagonizing force labor.

When we find that the entire output of all the penitentiaries in the United States during 1899, for the five principal things manufactured in prison was only one-tenth of one per cent, it does seem strange that any Trades’ Union would be unwilling to have the State by employment care for the health and best interests of their sons and brothers detained!

CONVICT LABOR ON STATE FARMS.

Mississippi Penitentiary Board of Control find farming their best interest, have leased 9,350 acres of cleared land on which was worked 720 convicts, the net revenue past year estimated at $100,000. The State has purchased 3,000 acres on which 80 convicts will be employed, and they have set apart $80,000 to purchase not more than 12,000 acres.

ROAD MAKING FOR CONVICTS.

The most valuable contributions in some respects, is the report of the Industrial Commission on “Prison Labor,” Washington, D. C., in the brief part which deals with what is not prison labor at all, but the labor of convicts outside of prisons--building and repairing roads--an employment which meets the demands of intelligent and practical reasoners, and seems to solve the problem of prison labor from a humanitarian standpoint. Mention is here made to call attention to it.

INDUSTRIAL REFORMATORIES.

New York State Reformatory, Elmira, is one of the oldest institutions of the kind in the United States. Has about 1500 convicts. As the State does not permit the sale of their product in open market, the institution has become more than ever a great trades school. Thirty-six industries are taught, beside mental, physical, and industrial training, including education in the school of letters. Several of the literary schools are taught by convicts trained for that department.

The trade of the convict is determined by the Superintendent, according to the advice of his relatives, and the surroundings he is likely to return to. Of the 658 discharged in 1899, 82 per cent. went directly to the trade practiced in the Reformatory.

It is a very busy place, the convict plying his trade industriously, not to be sold or serve some useful purpose, but only to give him practice and skill; when completed it is destroyed, then done over again. The disposition to excel in skill and excellence has a tendency to make them better men. Almost every visitor is impressed with the conviction, that labor here so exquisitely performed, should be applied to some useful purpose and the articles sold.

The carefully prepared system of grading is admirable. A prisoner when he enters is placed in the second grade; he may work up to the highest grade, shorten his term, secure his liberty by good conduct, and proficiency in trades and school work. The lowest grade is cared for much like the prisoners in the penitentiary, the middle grade fare better, have a table-cloth and other privileges, the highest grade have better food and clothing, privileges to converse, and order their food and pay for it out of their own funds. The system seems to rest on three ideas--1st, indeterminate sentence. 2nd, parole provisions of the law. 3rd, the trades and marking system. Gross cost per capita in 1899, $153.85.

MASSACHUSETTS STATE REFORMATORY, CONCORD.

Receives men from 18 to 35; if guilty of crime more than three times, cannot be sent here. The training-school is very much like Elmira, N. Y. After they become proficient in these schools, they pass into the industrial department and are employed at various kinds of productive labor. Sloyd system work is very prominent, forenoons spent in the trades schools, and afternoons in the shops. Prisoners alternate, so that both shops and industrial training-schools are in full operation all of the day.

Products of the shops are furnished other State institutions. They manufacture cotton and woolen goods (having a $35,000 plant of machinery). All weaving is done by hand-looms, made in the institution. There are over twenty industries and the institution uses all the money it earns.

The average convict’s stay is fifteen months, yet it is possible he may work out in a year, and he may be kept two years if convicted for a felony. About half the prisoners remain full time for which they are committed. They have 300 acres of land, and twenty acres are inside the prison walls, 1022 cells; prisoners go out on good records made in school and shop.

ILLINOIS REFORMATORY, PONTIAC.

Has 1,379 inmates between 12 and 21 years. Boys under 16 go to school daily, over 16 years three-quarters of a day. Trades schools and productive labor, contracted out certain sum per hour. Eighty-five per cent. conduct themselves properly, and the authorities keep track of them for a year after they leave. The average stay is 19 months, a few go out in a year. First grade men eat in a dining-room, the rest in their cells. Cost per capita, $120.

THE JUVENILE COURT OF CHICAGO.

Has been in operation over one year, and it has rescued 1,250 children, three fourths of whom have been paroled and placed in charge of probation officers. It is against the law of Illinois to imprison, even in a police-station, any child under twelve years of age, before, during or after trial. In case of necessity the child is to be committed to some suitable institution. The purpose of the plan is to give a boy another chance in his own home under the oversight of a probation officer. The business of the officer is to establish relations of friendship with the boy’s parents, and with the boy himself, and to take pains to secure that the surroundings in which the boy is growing up shall be such as to minister to a decent life. This is another step in that probation system which has long succeeded so well in Massachusetts and which ought to be established in every State in the country. One interesting fact in connection with the workings of the Juvenile Court, is, that the Judge and the probation officers have learned that it is practically hopeless to expect satisfactory results where a boy is a confirmed cigarette-smoker.

SLOYD WORK.

This is not a trade, but a system of teaching, by draughting plans, used in manual training-schools and some of our reformatories. It ought to be introduced in all our reformatories, and would be extremely useful in the prisons among those of long terms with work, for it establishes practical thoughts as a foundation for a trade when dismissed.

NOVEL PUNISHMENT.

When Mayor James L. Schaadt, of Allentown, Pa., began his office a year ago, new ideas were inaugurated for evildoers, and generally with good effect. When but a few days in office, a party of boys were brought before him on some trivial charge of disorder. The offence needed some punishment, and the parents were too poor to pay even a small fine. The Mayor learned the family shingle was still in use in the boys’ homes, and as the boys were too young to send to the station-house for a day or two, the Mayor sent the boys home with instructions that they should be soundly spanked by their parents as a punishment, and to report at court the next day whether their sentence had been carried out. The scheme worked well until some of the fathers refused to do it, then the Mayor did it himself until he tired of it, and finally it was required to be done in the court-room by the police officer; the plan has worked well and the number has greatly decreased.

On many prisoners fines are imposed, and he trusts them to be paid on instalments, and they never fail to satisfy the obligation. It acts as a deterrent to committing a like crime. Squads of tramps are put to work on the city streets without guard, and they very soon skip out of town, fearing re-arrest and a long sentence.

THE WHIPPING-POST.

Judge S. C. Baldwin, of Philadelphia, is in favor of the lash, or whipping-post, for incorrigible boys, and especially for wife-beaters, as they are often the only support of the wife and children. The September Grand Jury made such a recommendation before Judge Pennypacker, and he considered it worthy of consideration. But most of our Judges considered it not in harmony with the twentieth century ideas, and were unwilling to express any decided opinion offhand, as the whipping-post was a radical change. Judge Michael Arnold thought it would shock the public mind too much, and that the reason why our present plans fail is because the prisoner has too easy a time in jail, not required to work. Judge Robert N. Wilson held that in detaining a husband it often caused more suffering to the wife and children to be deprived of support, and it was a serious question whether it would not be degrading and lower a man’s whole moral nature.

Judge Wm. W. Whitbank thought the matter too radical to be decided without a careful consideration.

Judge Abraham M. Beitler had very decided views, but the public does not realize the situation. If they would only sit one day in court and see the cases of brutality brought before us, they would very soon recommend more drastic punishment. What are you going to do with a man who beats his wife in a most brutal manner (while drunk, generally), but who is the sole support of that wife and children? If you put him in jail you inflict ten times more suffering on his family.

In regard to the opinion of the Grand Jurymen, that the House of Refuge is not operating for the good of society, because not all the boys are reformed and converted, all the Judges unanimously expressed themselves as not in sympathy with the view taken by the Grand Jury, for we all know of very many cases where the House of Refuge has done splendid work. One of the Judges said:

“You cannot hope to make a law-abiding citizen out of every criminally disposed boy, and you cannot say that, because a few cases have not been benefited apparently, that the House of Refuge is a failure. I believe, on the contrary, that it is doing a most excellent work in elevating the morals of the community.”

THE BERTILLON SYSTEM.

In the past year the Bertillon system has been introduced in several of the States (it ought to be in all). Iowa has just found it very desirable. New York State has had it several years, proved of great value, not only in identifying prisoners, but in the identification of several meeting with sudden deaths in railroad accidents. By this system identification becomes positive and certain, as often as the prisoner comes under the measuring instruments, it will be an easy task to lay bare a criminal’s history by referring to his card. If the Legislature would enact an indeterminate sentence or parole law, the effectiveness of the same would be wonderfully aided by this system of identification. There are some who contend that “the State has no right to use this system against the man”--then let us have something better--a law of the United States requiring every State to enthrone this system, and that a National Bertillon Bureau be established for all the convicts of our country. This would be of untold help, and many a time a man’s true character could be asserted before the Judge had pronounced an unjust or inadequate sentence. This present Congress will be implored to establish this National System, by the advice and recommendation of the National Prison Congress.

RESULTS OF TREATMENT OF THE INSANE.

Last fall the press often seemed to indicate a startling increase of insanity among the inmates of the New York State prisons, and it aroused scientific discussion. As the number was larger from those prisons where work was silent, it was held that the want of exercise was the cause. But when it was shown that from the Elmira Reformatory, where work is constant, 65 were transferred to the State Hospital at Matteawan, the State prison authorities cannot account for the sudden increase. Over 700 the past year were sent to this hospital from penal institutions.

Who can measure the value of services to those restored as producers, and who would lower the standard of care, if it would result in preventing a single recovery? Many live in hospitals surrounded with everything necessary to their comfort and who may never fully recover, but their burdens are lightened and lives sweetened so far as it is possible to do so.

Hospital treatment of the insane in this country has made great strides in the right direction past few years, by substituting proper and healthful employment in place of mechanical restraint, thus stimulating a return in the patient to normal conditions, and naturally improving the prospect of final recovery.

The hospital of to-day is not a prison. It is a place where those skilled in the treatment of mental and nervous diseases continually minister to those affected; where health-promoting vocations are encouraged; where books, magazines, music and entertainments contribute to the pleasure and restoration to health of patients.

It is a startling fact that of those who were discharged as recovered nearly one-half had been received at the hospitals within a month or two after the affliction, and most all of them were afflicted less than a year prior to their admission.

In view of this fact, it becomes the duty of friends and persons afflicted with insanity (whether in prison or out of it) to see to it that they are early placed in the hospitals, for the probabilities of recovery are greatly in their favor.

Music both vocal and instrumental, has been found to be exceedingly valuable to restoring unbalanced minds; even brass bands and orchestras have been an untold help.

The people of our State have a right to expect that its insane who are cared for at its hospitals, shall have the best medical skill and attention, and the best care that can be given them; pleasant surroundings and good dietary. To this end let us continually labor to always maintain the highest standard of care for those unfortunates.

HAVANA PRISONS, CUBA.

Urafall Muntalso, warden of Havana Prison, last fall made a tour of the most noted prisons of the United States, with a view to adopting the best points of our system in the big Government institution of Havana, of which he is the head. He spoke of Sing Sing as being so different in all its features that one would imagine the institution conducted for another purpose entirely, instead of having exactly the same object. He gave high praise to our Eastern Penitentiary as a model institution of its kind, and to Warden Bussinger as certainly conducting it in a model manner. Several times expressed that the men seemed happy and contented as possible, being detained. Cuba so many generations under Spanish rule, with ancient views for punishments of convicts--to introduce American reform would seem almost revolutionary, but it must be done.

The penal institutions heretofore embodied all the unfavorable features of solitary confinement, and with very few of the favorable features. Education and employment of convicts in prison was out of the question. The convicts simply served out their sentence, not contributing in any way to their own support. By means of the reforms contemplated this will be largely changed. The intention is to improve the sanitary condition of all the penal institutions in Cuba, to alter the buildings to modern details, the men to do the work; then as rapidly as possible the humane American features will be introduced. Since Spanish rule has been cast off, the number of criminals and of crimes committed have been lessened over one-third. The cause is attributed to its present prosperity, thousands being employed, who were long time idle, keeping them honest and out of the hands of the law.

AUSTRALIAN PRISON REFORM.

Sydney, New South Wales, and in fact all Australian prisons were of the congregate system, free association. The recently introduced system of restricted association among prisoners is being gradually extended, though distasteful to the habitual criminal. Those seeking to reform, rejoice to be cut off from the degrading companionship. Captain Neitensteen, the Controller of New South Wales Prison, says: “There is every reason to hope the new departure will improve the moral atmosphere of all the jails, and will lead to the reformation of many prisoners. Already the number committed has decreased over 600, and the more serious crimes have received a check. Female prisoners have decreased to 180 prisoners last December, the lowest number in twenty-five years. The prisoners make all the clothing, boots, etc., for the officers and inmates, beside last year they earned £20,000 in work for the various Government departments repairing buildings, etc., outside the value of labor employed in the domestic work of the various jails.

“At Bathurst a complete marble-cutting and polishing plant has been erected, occupation to a large body of men. The waste lands attached to jails are now being cultivated, giving healthy out-door work of reformatory character, and supplies the greater portion of the food.”

PRISONS IN OLD PARIS.

[FROM THE GENTLEMAN’S MAGAZINE.]

Of the five principal prisons of Paris during the Reign of Terror, the most hopeless of all the horrible places on earth was the Conciergerie, whence few escaped, except to ride in the fateful tumbril which conducted them to the guillotine. All the other prisons fed this one. As many as 80 prisoners a day were sent to the scaffold, and the feeling of terror outside the prisons was almost equal to the dungeon. No one knew when his turn would come. Men’s faces were calm, but hearts filled with fear. Detectives and spies bore false witness everywhere, even the garçon who served you with a _petit verre_ might be an agent of the Republic, whose report might send you to the Conciergerie in the evening, and on the morrow to the guillotine. The fatal roll call was read out daily. Men rushed to hear if their names were included in the list of victims. If not they breathed more freely, at least they had another day to live. But now how changed! look at the----

MODEL FRENCH PRISON.

A SANITARIUM, RETREAT, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION WHERE CRIMINALS ARE HANDLED WITH KID GLOVES.

The new prison at Fresnes, eight miles from Paris, is the largest in the world. Takes the place of three old prisons, is situated in a healthy district, and covers with its main buildings, flower-gardens, and villa residences of officials, over half a square mile.

The prison is not built on the star plan, but consists of five rectangular blocks, one of which is the infirmary. The plan is the cellular, and the number of cells 1,824. Also accommodation provided on the association system for 400 privileged prisoners; total criminal capacity is 2,224. As a sanitarium for the criminal Fresnes is unique. As his or her present home, it boasts the proud record of being only half full, for crime or at least punishment by imprisonment for crime is diminishing in France. The system at Fresnes is interesting; the authorities believe in fresh air and sunshine, those foes of the microbe, and friends of health. Hence the prison is a model sanitarium. Otherwise the criminal is gently educated; he works at some trade, and can purchase from the proceeds of his work, extra food and personal requirements, with the exception of tobacco. When the prisoners go to worship, which is not compulsory, or to school which is, they wear hoods to prevent mutual recognition on release. In some of the workshops this rule does not obtain. The reason for this apparent inconsistency is not clear.

Even the officials receive instruction on such subjects as the prevention of crime and prison discipline, and as a result of this the excellent idea of the whole prison is admirably carried out. A final feature of Fresnes is the severe simplicity of its architecture.

SIBERIAN BANISHMENT.

The official messenger of the Czar of Russia at St. Petersburg, Oct. 1, 1900, published the Imperial ukase providing for the abolition of banishment at Siberia. The Czar commissioned the Minister of Justice to draw a law for abolishing such banishment. This was sanctioned by the Council of the Empire, and has been signed by the Czar, thus the law is now gazetted.

NORWAY PRISON.

A member of our Pennsylvania Prison Society, returning from the land of the midnight sun, reports his visit to the principal prison at Akerstuis, Christiania, Norway. When he made known that he was a member of the oldest Prison Society in the world he was shown the utmost attention by Director Peter Soelberg. He describes it as the congregate system, and being shown over the entire plant, the sleeping-cells, dining-room, baths, culinary departments, &c., describes it as exceedingly clean and neat with a purity of atmosphere. The chapel is very large and all the prisoners are required to attend service twice on Sundays and also on other days.