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NEW SERIES No. 46

PUBLISHED ANNUALLY BY THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY INSTITUTED MAY 8TH, 1787.

THE JOURNAL OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND PHILANTHROPY

JANUARY, 1907

OFFICE: STATE HOUSE ROW S. W. CORNER FIFTH AND CHESTNUT STREETS PHILADELPHIA, PA.

CONSTITUTION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY.

When we consider that the obligations of benevolence, which are founded on the precepts and example of the Author of Christianity, are not canceled by the follies or crimes of our fellow-creatures, and when we reflect upon the miseries which penury, hunger, cold, unnecessary severity, unwholesome apartments, and guilt (the usual attendants of prisons) involve with them, it becomes us to extend our compassions to that part of mankind who are the subjects of those miseries. By the aid of humanity their undue and illegal sufferings may be prevented; the link which should bind the whole family of mankind together under all circumstances, be preserved unbroken; and such degree and modes of punishment may be discovered and suggested as may, instead of continuing habits of vice, become the means of restoring our fellow-creatures to virtue and happiness. From a conviction of the truth and obligations of these principles, the subscribers have associated themselves under the title of “THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY.”

For effecting these purposes they have adopted the following Constitution:

ARTICLE I.

The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, two Vice-Presidents, two Secretaries, a Treasurer (who may be an undoubted first-class Trust and Safe Deposit Company regularly chartered by the State or National Authorities), and two Counselors.

The Committee on Membership in the “Acting Committee” shall be the nominating committee of the Society, whose duty it shall be after careful consideration to nominate members of the Society most suitable in their judgment for the above named offices. The officers and the Acting Committee shall be chosen by ballot, at the Annual Meeting of the Society, which shall be on the fourth Thursday in the First month (January) of each year and they shall continue in office until their successors are elected. A majority of the whole number of votes cast shall be necessary to the choice of any nominee for office.

In case an election for any cause shall not be held at the time above mentioned, it shall be the duty of the President to call a Special Meeting of the Society, within thirty days for the purpose of holding such election, of which at least three days’ notice shall be given.

ARTICLE II.

The President shall preside in all meetings, and subscribe all public acts of the Society. He may call special meetings whenever he may deem it expedient, and shall do so when requested in writing by five members. In his absence one of the Vice-Presidents may act in his place.

ARTICLE III.

The Secretaries shall keep fair records of the proceedings of the Society, and shall conduct its correspondence.

ARTICLE IV.

The Treasurer shall pay all orders of the Society or of the Acting Committee, signed by the presiding officer and the Secretary, and shall present a statement of the receipts and expenditures at each stated meeting of the Society, and an annual report at the annual meeting in the First month (January).

All capital moneys, investments, securities and property belonging to the Society may be placed in the care and custody of such trust company as the Society may by resolution direct, for safe keeping and for the collection of the income and principal thereof.

All investments and re-investments of capital money shall be made by direction of at least three members of the Finance Committee of the Society.

All bequests and life subscriptions which may be received shall be safely invested, the income only thereupon to be applied to the current expenses of the Society.

[CONTINUED ON THIRD PAGE OF COVER.]

NEW SERIES No. 46.

THE JOURNAL OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND PHILANTHROPY

PUBLISHED ANNUALLY

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF “THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY” INSTITUTED MAY 8th, 1787

JANUARY, 1907

OFFICE: STATE HOUSE ROW S. W. CORNER FIFTH AND CHESTNUT STREETS PHILADELPHIA, PA.

The

PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY

(FORMERLY CALLED THE PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR ALLEVIATING THE MISERIES OF PUBLIC PRISONS.)

Place of Meeting, State House Row, Philadelphia. S. W. Cor. Fifth and Chestnut Sts.

The 120th Annual Meeting of “THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY” was held on the afternoon of the First month (January), 24th, 1907, with SAMUEL BIDDLE as Chairman, and GEO. S. WETHERELL as Secretary. The Minutes of the 119th Annual meeting were read and approved, after which the Treasurer presented his report.

Memorials on the death of the President, GEO. W. HALL, and the First Vice-President, the REV. JAMES ROBERTS, D. D., were submitted and ordered spread on the Minutes.

The officers and the members of the Acting Committee for 1907 were elected (See next page).

Article IV of the Constitution as amended was adopted.

The Editorial Committee was directed to print 7,500 copies of the JOURNAL, and to make such alterations and additions as might be necessary.

JOHN J. LYTLE, _Gen. Secretary_.

Editorial Committee for 1907: REV. R. HEBER BARNES, Chairman; REV. J. F. OHL, DEBORAH C. LEEDS, JOSEPH C. NOBLIT, DR. WILLIAM C. STORKES.

Persons receiving the Journal are invited to correspond with, and send any publications on Prison and Prison Discipline, and articles for the Journal to the Chairman of the Editorial Board, 600 North Thirty-second Street, Philadelphia, Pa., or S. W. Cor. Fifth and Chestnut Streets.

The National Prison Congress of the U. S. for the past eight years designated the fourth Sunday in October annually as Prison Sunday. To aid the movement for reformation, some speakers may be supplied from this Society. Apply to the chairman of that Committee.

👉 JOHN J. LYTLE, S. W. Cor. Fifth and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, is the General Secretary of the Society, giving especial attention to the Eastern Penitentiary.

👉 FREDERICK J. POOLEY is Agent for the County Prison, appointed by the Prison Society. Address mail to 500 Chestnut Street, Office of Pennsylvania Prison Society.

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR 1907.

PRESIDENT

JOSHUA L. BAILY

VICE-PRESIDENTS

REV. HERMAN L. DUHRING, D. D. REV. F. H. SENFT

TREASURER

JOHN WAY

SECRETARIES

JOHN J. LYTLE FREDERICK J. POOLEY

COUNSELORS

HON. WM. N. ASHMAN HENRY S. CATTELL

MEMBERS OF THE ACTING COMMITTEE

P. H. Spelissy, Miss C. V. Hodges, A. J. Wright, John H. Dillingham, Rebecca P. Latimer, Charles H. LeFevre, Dr. Emily J. Ingram, Rev. Floyd W. Tomkins, Mrs. E. M. Stillwell, William Scattergood, Samuel L. Whitson, Solomon G. Engle, Mrs. P. W. Lawrence, Harry Kennedy, Richard H. Lytle, Mary S. Whelen, Layyah Barakat, Charles P. Hastings, Isaac Slack, Rev. J. F. Ohl, Rev. C. Rowland Hill, William Koelle, William E. Tatum Isaac P. Miller Rev. R. Heber Barnes, Mary S. Wetherell, Elias H. White, Dr. William C. Stokes, George S. Wetherell, John Smallzell, William T. W. Jester, Henry C. Cassel, Jacob Hoffman, Mrs. Horace Fassett, Albert Oetinger, John D. Hampton, William F. Overman, Rev. Philip Lamerdin, Charles McDole, Deborah C. Leeds, David Sulzberger, Jonas G. Clemmer, J. Albert Koons, Mrs. E. W. Gormley, Susanna W. Lippincott, George R. Meloney, Frank H. Longshore, John A. Duncan. Joseph C. Noblit, Rev. H. E. Meyer,

_Visiting Committee for the Eastern State Penitentiary_:

John J. Lytle, Harry Kennedy, Rev. Solomon G. Engle, P. H. Spellissy, Layyah Barakat, Charles P. Hastings, John H. Dillingham, Rev. J. F. Ohl, Rev. F. H. Senft, Isaac Slack, William E. Tatum, Rev. C. Rowland Hill, Rev. R. Heber Barnes, Mary S. Wetherell, Isaac P. Miller, Dr. William C. Stokes, George S. Wetherell, Elias H. White, William T. W. Jester, Albert Oetinger, John Smallzell, Deborah C. Leeds, Henry C. Cassel, Jacob Hoffman, Mrs. Horace Fassett, Rev. Philip Lamerdin, John D. Hampton, George R. Meloney, David Sulzberger, Susanna W. Lippincott, Joseph C. Noblit, Frank H. Longshore, Charles McDole, Rebecca P. Latimer, Rev. H. E. Meyer, Jonas G. Clemmer. Samuel L. Whitson, Charles H. LeFevre,

_Visiting Committee for the Philadelphia County Prison_:

F. J. Pooley, Mrs. E. M. Stillwell, George S. Wetherell, Deborah C. Leeds, William T. W. Jester, Layyah Barakat, Miss C. V. Hodges Mrs. P. W. Lawrence, John A. Duncan, David Sulzberger, Mrs. Horace Fassett, Susanna W. Lippincott. Rev. H. E. Meyer, Mary S. Wetherell,

_For the Holmesburg Prison_:

F. A. Pooley, Isaac Slack, David Sulzberger. Layyah Barakat,

_For the Chester County Prison_:

William Scattergood, Deborah C. Leeds,

_For the Delaware County Prison_:

Deborah C. Leeds.

_For the Western Penitentiary and Allegheny County Prison_:

Mrs. E. W. Gormley.

_For the Counties of the State at Large_:

Mrs. E. W. Gormley, Deborah C. Leeds, Frederick J. Pooley, Layyah Barakat.

_For the House of Correction_:

F. J. Pooley, Layyah Barakat, Isaac Slack. Deborah C. Leeds, David Sulzberger,

STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1907.

_On Library_:

Rev. J. F. Ohl, Rev. R. Heber Barnes, F. J. Pooley.

_On Accounts_:

Charles P. Hastings, Albert Oetinger, John Smallzell.

_Editorial Committee_:

Rev. R. Heber Barnes, Deborah C. Leeds, Dr. William C. Stokes. Rev. J. F. Ohl, Joseph C. Noblit,

_On Membership in the Acting Committee_:

Dr. William C. Stokes, Albert Oetinger, Charles P. Hastings. George S. Wetherell, Elias H. White,

_On Finance_:

George S. Wetherell, David Sulzberger, William Scattergood, A. J. Wright.

_On Employment of Discharged Prisoners_:

Isaac Slack, John D. Hampton, Mrs. Horace Fassett, Albert Oetinger, Rev. H. L. Duhring, D. D., John A. Duncan, William Koelle, Frederick J. Pooley, Mrs. P. W. Lawrence. Henry C. Cassel,

_Auditing Committee_:

Joseph C. Noblit, John H. Dillingham.

_On Police Matrons in Station Houses_:

Mrs. P. W. Lawrence, Dr. Emily J. Ingram, Mary S. Wetherell.

_On Prison Sunday_:

Rev. R. Heber Barnes, Rev. J. F. Ohl, Rev. F. H. Senft. Rev. H. L. Duhring, D. D., Rev. Philip Lamerdin,

_On Legislation_:

Rev. J. F. Ohl, Joseph Noblit, William Scattergood. Rev. H. C. Meyer, Rev. R. Heber Barnes,

JOURNAL OF PRISON DISCIPLINE

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH YEAR 1787 OF 1907 THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY

ANNUAL REPORT OF JOHN J. LYTLE, GENERAL SECRETARY

In submitting this, my Seventeenth Annual Report, it is with renewed feelings of devout thankfulness to my Heavenly Father that He has spared my life through another year, and given me the health and strength to perform a service so near and dear to my heart.

In one respect the work of the Pennsylvania Prison Society is unique. Besides the General Secretary, whose labors are confined chiefly to the Eastern Penitentiary, and the Agent for the County Prison, the Society has an “Acting Committee” of fifty members, who by two legislative enactments have the rights of official visitors. The first of these acts became operative in 1829. This was supplemented by the act approved March 20, 1903, which is as follows:

AN ACT

To make active or visiting committees, of societies incorporated for the purpose of visiting and instructing prisoners, official visitors of penal and reformatory institutions.

SECTION I. Be it enacted, etc., That the active or visiting committee of any society heretofore incorporated and now existing in this Commonwealth for the purpose of visiting and instructing prisoners, or persons confined in any penal or reformatory institution, and alleviating their miseries, shall be and are hereby made official visitors of any jail, penitentiary, or other penal or reformatory institution in this Commonwealth, maintained at the public expense, with the same powers, privileges, and functions as are vested in the official visitors of prisons and penitentiaries, as now prescribed by law: Provided, That no active or visiting committee of any such society shall be entitled to visit such jails or penal institutions, under this act, unless notice of the names of the members of such committee, and the terms of their appointment, is given by such society, in writing, under its corporate seal, to the warden, superintendent or other officer in charge of such jail, or other officer in charge of any such jail or other penal institution.

Approved--The 20th day of March, A. D. 1903.

SAML. W. PENNYPACKER.

The foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Act of the General Assembly No. 48.

FRANK M. FULLER, _Secretary of the Commonwealth_.

THE EASTERN PENITENTIARY

Under the rights thus conferred those members of the Acting Committee of the Pennsylvania Prison Society assigned to the Eastern Penitentiary visit prisoners in their cells. It is found that this personal work of Christian men and women is productive of good results. In the privacy of the cell hearts and lives are laid open, impressions are made, resolutions are formed, and changes are brought about that under a less personal and individual system of treatment would be well-nigh impossible. The corridor for female prisoners is in charge of a matron, and is regularly visited by women members of the Acting Committee.

During the past year I made over three hundred visits to the Penitentiary; and have had more than three thousand personal interviews with men. Those who need it receive a complete outfit of new clothing on their discharge. But looking after the physical well-being of a man when he leaves I regard as the least important of my duties. I ascertain what his past has been, what his prospects are for the future, and in what way he can be aided in carrying out the good resolutions he may have formed. Thus with good advice and helpful service the man is again given an opportunity to rehabilitate himself.

Besides caring for those just discharged, the General Secretary and the Agent of the County Prison also extend aid to men who have been released for some time, but who have failed to secure employment. This is done at the relief station maintained near the Penitentiary, which is open every morning. Here men who are found to be really deserving are supplied with meal tickets, lodging-room rent, and goods to sell.

The total amount expended during the past year from the Fund for Discharged Prisoners was $3,795.56. Tools were given to men to the amount of $69.16.

As heretofore, Divine services were held in the different corridors each First Day morning under the direction of the Moral Instructor, the Rev. Joseph Welsh. The speakers were supplied by the Local Preachers’ Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Protestant Episcopal City Mission, and the Lutheran City Mission.

The Sunday Song Services at 4 P. M. by choirs from different churches, arranged for by the Rev. H. L. Duhring, D. D., Superintendent of the Protestant Episcopal City Mission, were continued during the year.

I am greatly indebted to all the officers and overseers of the Penitentiary for their uniform courtesy and their valuable assistance in the prosecution of my work. Charles C. Church has proved himself to be an able and efficient warden, to whose administrative ability and genial manner the discipline and good order of the institution are chiefly due.

From the Annual Report of the Penitentiary I gather the following statistics:

POPULATION White Colored Total Males Females Males Females Remaining from 1905 859 13 257 13 1,142 Committed during 1906 303 8 111 9 431 ----- -- --- -- ----- Total population 1,162 21 368 22 1,573 Discharged during 1906 336 6 96 5 443 ----- -- --- -- ----- Remaining at the close of 1906 826 15 272 17 1,130

THE DISCHARGES WERE AS FOLLOWS:

By Commutation Law 406 “ Order of Court 7 “ Department of Justice 8 “ Order of Huntingdon Reformatory 4 “ Pardon 3 “ Suicide 1 Died 14 ---- Total 443

Average daily population, 1906 1,144 Largest number in confinement during year 1,175 Smallest number in confinement during year 1,103

TABLES RELATING TO THE 431 CONVICTS RECEIVED DURING 1906.

(1) SCHOOL No. of Convicts. Attended public school 348 “ private school 8 “ public and private school 6 Never went to school 69 --- Total 431

(2) EDUCATION Read and write 312 “ “ “ imperfectly 56 Illiterate 63 --- Total 431

(3) TRADES Number having trades 159 “ “ no trades 272 --- Total 431 Number idle at time of arrest 116

(4) AGE OF CONVICTS Age White Colored Total From 15 to 20 years 31 14 45 “ 21 “ 25 “ 74 34 108 “ 26 “ 30 “ 61 36 97 “ 31 “ 35 “ 53 14 67 “ 36 “ 40 “ 31 7 38 “ 41 “ 45 “ 26 6 32 “ 46 “ 50 “ 15 3 18 “ 51 “ 55 “ 11 2 13 “ 56 “ 60 “ 5 1 6 “ 61 “ 65 “ 2 1 3 “ 66 “ 70 “ 2 1 3 Above 70 years 1 1 --- --- --- Total 311 120 431

(5) CONVICTIONS First Conviction 268 Second “ 1st time here 63 “ “ 2d “ “ 31 Third “ 1st “ “ 16 “ “ 2d “ “ 11 “ “ 3d “ “ 8 Fourth “ 1st “ “ 8 “ “ 2d “ “ 4 “ “ 3d “ “ 1 “ “ 4th “ “ 1 Fifth “ 1st “ “ 2 “ “ 2d “ “ 2 “ “ 3d “ “ 1 “ “ 4th “ “ 2 “ “ 5th “ “ 1 Sixth “ 2d “ “ 3 “ “ 3d “ “ 2 Seventh “ 2d “ “ 2 “ “ 6th “ “ 2 Eighth “ 5th “ “ 1 Eleventh “ 3d “ “ 1 Fifteenth “ 7th “ “ 1 --- Total 431

PARENTAL RELATIONS AT 16 YEARS

Parents living 295 Mother “ 65 Father “ 38 Parents dead 33 --- Total 431

CONJUGAL RELATIONS

Single 254 Married 152 Widowed 25 --- Total 431

NUMBER HAVING CHILDREN

Number having children 112 Number of children 301

NATIVITY

Born in the United States 346 Foreign born 85 --- Total 431

Of the foreign born, naturalized 31 Of the foreign born, Not naturalized 54 -- Total 85

RECEPTIONS CLASSIFIED AS TO DISTRICTS

Received from Manufacturing Districts 161 “ “ Mining Districts 70 “ “ Agricultural Districts 200 --- Total 431

The following figures were gathered by the Moral Instructor, the Rev. Joseph Welsh, in his interviews with the prisoners admitted during the year:

Total number received during the year 431 Number who attended Sunday School 286 “ “ “ Church 232 “ “ were members of Church 157 “ “ “ abstainers from use of liquor 63 “ “ “ moderate users of liquor 159 “ “ “ intemperate users of liquor 170 “ “ “ users of tobacco 356 “ “ gambled with cards 29 “ “ “ on horse races 11 “ “ visited immoral women 158 “ “ kept mistresses 2

THE PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISON

This Prison still keeps up its record as a well managed institution. Unfortunately, the Convict Department at Holmesburg is somewhat overcrowded, and it is to be regretted that funds have not yet been provided by the City Councils for additional corridors, so that each man could be separately confined as the law provides. It is admitted by the advocates both of the separate and of the congregate system, that those awaiting trial should be strictly separated. To place a first, and especially a young offender, with a hardened criminal, simply means the production of another criminal, and places the State itself in the position of committing a wrong against one of its own citizens.