NEW SERIES No. 51 THE JOURNAL
OF
PRISON DISCIPLINE
AND
PHILANTHROPY

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

MARCH, 1912

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

OFFICIAL VISITORS.

No person who is not an official visitor of the prison, or who has not a written permission, according to such rules as the Inspectors may adopt as aforesaid, shall be allowed to visit the same; the official visitors are: the Governor, the Speaker and members of the Senate; the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives; the Secretary of the Commonwealth; the Judges of the Supreme Court; the Attorney-General and his Deputies; the President and Associate Judges of all the courts in the State; the Mayor and Recorders of the cities of Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Pittsburg; Commissioners and Sheriffs of the several Counties; and the “Acting Committee of the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons.” (Note: Now named “The Pennsylvania Prison Society.”)—Section 7, Act of April 23, 1829.

The above was supplemented by the following Act, approved March 20, 1903:

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 1. Be it enacted, etc., That the active or visiting committee of any society heretofore incorporated and now existing in the 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.

Office of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, State House Row, Fifth and Chestnut Streets

NEW SERIES No. 51
THE JOURNAL
OF
PRISON DISCIPLINE
AND
PHILANTHROPY
PUBLISHED ANNUALLY
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF “THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY”
INSTITUTED MAY 8th, 1787
——
MARCH, 1912
——
OFFICE: STATE HOUSE ROW
S. W. CORNER FIFTH AND CHESTNUT STREETS
PHILADELPHIA, PA.

SPECIAL NOTICES.

All correspondence with reference to the work of the Society, or to the Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy, should be addressed to The Pennsylvania Prison Society, 500 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa.

The National Prison Association of the United States for the past ten years has 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 chairman of the Committee on Prison Sunday.

Frederick J. Pooley is the General Agent of the Society. His address is 500 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.

Contributions for the work of the Society may be sent to John Way, Treasurer, 409 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.

FORM OF BEQUEST OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.

I give and bequeath to “The Pennsylvania Prison Society” the sum of .... Dollars.

FORM OF DEVISE OF REAL ESTATE.

I give and devise to “The Pennsylvania Prison Society” all that certain piece or parcel of land. (Here describe the property).

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR 1912

President

JOSHUA L. BAILY, Philadelphia, Pa.

Vice-Presidents

Rev. HERMAN L. DUHRING, 225 S. Third Street, Philadelphia. Rev. F. H. SENFT, 560 N. Twentieth Street, Philadelphia.

Secretary

ALBERT H. VOTAW, 500 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

Assistant Secretary

Dr. WILLIAM C. STOKES, 500 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

Treasurer

JOHN WAY, 409 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

Honorary Counselor

Hon. WM. N. ASHMAN, 44th & Spruce Streets, Philadelphia.

Counselors

Hon. HENRY S. CATTELL, 1218 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Hon. OWEN J. ROBERTS, West End Trust Building, Philadelphia.

General Agent

FREDERICK J. POOLEY, 500 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.

Acting Committee.

FOR ONE YEAR

FOR TWO YEARS

FOR THREE YEARS

From the State-at-large.

FOR THE YEAR 1912

Rev. John Mueller, Pittsburg.
Capt. Nicholas Baggs, Abington.
Mrs. Sarah B. Mumma, Lancaster.

COMMITTEES FOR 1912

Committee to Visit the Eastern Penitentiary

Committee to Visit the Philadelphia County Prison

For the Holmesburg Prison

House of Correction

Chester and Delaware County Prisons

Bucks County Prison

Albert Oetinger.

Montgomery County Prison

Nicholas Baggs.

Lancaster County Prison

Mrs. Sarah B. Mumma.

Western Penitentiary and Allegheny County Prison

Committee on Discharged Prisoners

Committee on Legislation

Committee on Membership

Committee on Police Matrons

Committee on Prison Sunday

Editorial Committee

Finance Committee

Auditors

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY.

1787 1912

The 125th Annual Meeting of “The Pennsylvania Prison Society” was held January 11th, 1912, at the office of the Society, S. W. Corner Fifth and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, the President, Joshua L. Baily, in the Chair.

Twenty-eight members of the Society were present.

The Minutes of the 124th Annual Meeting were read and approved.

The Report of the Acting Committee was read by the Secretary. The report was approved and was directed to be printed in the “Journal.” (See page 6)

The Treasurer, John Way, produced a detailed statement of the receipts and disbursements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1911. (See page 15)

George S. Wetherell, on behalf of the Committee on Nominations, presented a list of nominations for the officers of the Society for the term of one year, beginning February 1, 1912, and for the members of the Acting Committee whose terms expire at this time. The President appointed Jos. C. Noblit and William E. Tatum as Tellers. The election being duly conducted, the Tellers announced that a unanimous vote was cast for the ballot as proposed by the Nominating Committee. (See page 3.)

On Motion Hon. William N. Ashman was elected Honorary Counselor.

To nominate officers at the next Annual Meeting, the President appointed Joseph C. Noblit, A. Jackson Wright, Isaac P. Miller, Mrs. Mary S. Grigg and Mrs. Emma L. Thompson.

The following Amendment to Article VII of the Constitution, proposed at the last Annual Meeting, was read, and after some discussion, unanimously adopted.

“The number of Members of the Acting Committee may be increased to not exceeding sixty, provided the additional Members shall be residents of Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia.

“These Members may be elected from time to time at any meeting of the Acting Committee, according to the provisions of the By-Laws for filling vacancies, but the terms for which they are elected shall be for the unexpired portion of the current fiscal year only. These additional Members will be eligible for re-election at the next Annual Meeting, and their respective terms of service shall then be assigned so as to be co-ordinate with the terms of service of the other Members of the Committee.”

The President spoke in acknowledgment of the honor of his re-election to the Presidency of this Society, the oldest organization of the kind in the world. He congratulated the Society on the increased interest as manifested by the attendance at this meeting and by the larger amount of contributions received in 1911 for the work of the Society.

Albert H. Votaw, Secretary.

REPORT OF THE ACTING COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR 1911.

In the year 1912, the Pennsylvania Prison Society will have completed a century and a quarter of its existence. It seems opportune briefly to note some of the important features of the work of this organization during the last 125 years. We are fortunate in the possession of an unbroken series of records of the transactions of this body from its first meeting in May, 1787, to the present time.

In 1787 the conditions of the jails in Philadelphia were unspeakably disgraceful. In one common herd there were kept by day and by night prisoners of all ages, colors, degrees of crime, and the sexes were not separated. No bedding was supplied and unless the prisoner had means or friends, he slept on the ground or bare floor. One loaf of bread constituted the daily ration. Misconduct was punished by the branding-iron, the pillory, or by the lash. Intoxicants were sold to all applicants who had money. The keeper reaped a profit from all sales made to the inmates of the prison. The death rate was enormous. No effort was made to find any useful employment for the prisoners.

The Society early resolved that intoxicants must be forbidden and that some form of employment must be found. They insisted on segregation of the sexes, and also began to press for individual separation in order that the penal institutions should not become schools for crime. Within a very few years many reforms were instituted. The death penalty which had been inflicted for a score of crimes was abrogated except for murder in the first degree. “Solitary confinement to hard labor” is still a familiar phrase used by Judges in pronouncing sentence. In its early years, the Society consistently and persistently urged the adoption of a system of employment whereby each prisoner alone in his cell should perform his task in some industrial pursuit. It was never intended that the prisoners should be kept entirely secluded from all human companionship, but that the officers should see them frequently and that concerned visitors, under proper supervision, should be allowed to talk with them and endeavor to point them to the better way. This idea became known among penologists as “The Pennsylvania System,” and was discussed widely, both at home and abroad. The Eastern Penitentiary, on Fairmount Avenue, formerly Coates Street, was built upon plans largely suggested by this Society. Doubtless the separate system was entirely carried out in 1829, when the prison was opened for the reception of prisoners. But in the last half century, the number of prisoners has exceeded the number of cells, so that the officers of the prison have not been able to carry out this system as originally planned. When this penitentiary was first constructed, it was located on what was then known as Cherry Hill, an eminence in the Northwest suburban district, and was surrounded by farming land. That penal institutions should be located in the country is, therefore, not a new proposition. Now it is generally conceded that such institutions not only should be located in the country, but that they should own and work a large tract of land adjacent.

The first prisoner was received Oct. 25, 1829. The first report of the Committee to visit the Eastern Penitentiary was made to the Acting Committee on Nov. 11, 1829, and shows that there were two prisoners at that time in the institution, one a white man from Chester Co., the other a colored man from Delaware Co. By June 8, 1830, the number of prisoners had increased to 25. The following extracts from the report of the Visiting Committee, made in June, 1830, will prove interesting to those who are familiar with the present conditions at the Penitentiary. “* * * The best order prevails among the prisoners who are industriously, and it is believed, profitably employed. Each is supplied with a soup-pan, washbasin, brush, fine and coarse tooth comb, spoon, knife and fork, and every week with a clean towel. Each prisoner is required to keep his room clean and neat. * * * The food consists of half a pint of milk, mixed in the same amount of hot water, bread made of rye and Indian meal (one pound) for breakfast; for dinner one pint soup, three-fourths pound meat, one-third pound bread; for supper one pint Indian mush and a half gill molasses. * * * No conversation can take place between the prisoners, and no communication from without be permitted. It has not been found necessary to inflict any punishment so far, except in two cases: in one case where a prisoner had neglected to keep his mess-pan clean, he lost two meals; in another case, a prisoner who neglected his work was for three days deprived of his meat. The principal trades are weaving and shoemaking, trades which may be carried on in cells to advantage. The health of the prisoners continues good.” The report is signed June 8, 1830, by the entire Visiting Committee consisting of David Weatherly and James J. Barclay. Now after 80 years the supply of furniture is practically the same, a table or stand being added. Sanitary arrangements have been vastly improved, and the addition of a superior grade of homemade wheat bread and coffee to the bill of fare has made a more palatable menu.

Some forty years ago it was written that every advance in the amelioration of convict prisons systems of discipline began in Philadelphia. In the discussion of these problems The Pennsylvania Prison Society took a conspicuous part. In 1856 the first published criticism of the contract system, under which the labor of the prisoners was sold for profit and to meet the prison expenses, issued from Philadelphia. The criticism was received with scorn and ridicule. Thoughtful students of humanitarian measures began investigations in one State after another, with the result that at the present time scarcely one State in the Union maintains such a system. But while Pennsylvania has led the way in many measures to reform the criminal and improve his condition, some States have made more rapid progress in these directions. Many States offer greater opportunities in their prisons for industrial employment than we can show in Pennsylvania. Most of the States have preceded us in the adoption of a Parole and a Probation system for adult convicts.

PROBATION, PAROLE, INDETERMINATE SENTENCE.

In 1909, the Legislature of Pennsylvania enacted a law providing for Probation for some classes of adult offenders, and also for a Parole of criminals sentenced to the Penitentiaries of the State under the conditions of an Indeterminate Sentence. Under the Probation Act, the Courts have power to suspend the imposition of the sentence and to place the defendant on Probation on such terms and conditions as the Court may deem proper.

The Parole Law applied to the sentences of criminals sentenced to the Penitentiary on and after June 30, 1909. Two Members of The Pennsylvania Prison Society were very active in framing this law and in securing its passage. The Legislature of 1911 amended this law so as to render almost nugatory some of the provisions of the law with regard to the Indeterminate Sentence. The Chairman of our Committee on Legislation has ably discussed this subject in an article published in the Journal which was issued in November, 1911. The following statistics, furnished by Parole Officer, John McKenty, of the Eastern Penitentiary, show the operation of the law to the end of the year 1911.

These figures compare quite favorably with the results reported from other States in which this system has been for a longer period in vogue.

THE EASTERN PENITENTIARY.

Reports of the Members of the Acting Committee, appointed to visit the Eastern Penitentiary, show that during the year 1911 6405 visits to prisoners have been made. Many unreported visits have gladdened the prisoner in his lonely cell. Several of our members participate in the Gospel services on the Sabbath.

One of the prisoners remarked to the Secretary that in his opinion the work of visitation was the most important function of the Society. This has been the most effective part of our work from the first. Some of the men’s blocks are not visited so often as would be desirable. The women’s block is said to be over-visited. Several organizations have the privilege of sending visitors to the twenty-seven women now incarcerated, and while visitors are welcomed at suitable times and under proper conditions, yet it is readily recognized that these prisoners of the women’s block should have sufficient time to attend to their regular, but not onerous, duties as assistants in various lines of domestic employment.

Under the management of Warden Robert J. McKenty, the administration is to be commended. The discipline is firm, but kindly, and so long as the privileges granted are not abused, there is allowed a large amount of freedom within reasonable limits. Hence, in this institution, the visitor may note an unusually contented and orderly body of convicts.

RELIEF FOR PRISONERS WHEN DISCHARGED.

The expense of supplying needy prisoners with clothing at the time of their discharge from the Eastern Penitentiary has been almost entirely borne by this Society since 1896. For the six years prior to 1896, the Legislature appropriated on the average of $2490.00 annually to the Society, which thereupon assumed the expense of providing outfits for the prisoners at the time of their release. In 1895, the Governor refused to sanction the appropriation. No legislative grant of funds has been made since that time to the Society. Our late Honorary Secretary, John J. Lytle, who at that time was the General Secretary of the Society, with untiring energy solicited contributions from benevolent citizens to supply the prisoners when released with presentable clothing. His whole heart was in this work and nobly did he discharge what he deemed to be his duty to administer the charity in which our Society had been, up to that time, assisted by the State. We are still providing an outfit for discharged prisoners, although this aid is supplied by legislative appropriation practically in every other State of the Union. I append to this report a schedule showing what provision is made for prisoners at the time of their discharge from the various State Prisons. ([See page 38].)

During the year, 1911, the Secretary has furnished 370 men at the time of their discharge from the Eastern Penitentiary either with entire outfits, or with sufficient attire to make them presentable.

The following list shows what garments have been given:

A few of the women on their discharge have been furnished with suitable articles of apparel.

The administration of this charity is attended with peculiar advantages. It is an important duty to visit the prisoners near the close of their time of incarceration, and to learn from them with regard to their hopes and fears. Then, if ever, they need sympathetic attention. Many of them have friends or homes ready to receive them, but there are others who need more than a suit of clothes and a parting word of good wishes. We endeavor to find employment for such as these unfortunate ones, and, while in many cases we have succeeded, there is a remnant who are not strong enough to face the temptations of the outer world. Shall we not send such as these to a farm under control of the State, where they will have opportunity to work in the open air, and be retained in some kind of semi-detention until they have made good?

WESTERN PENITENTIARY.

Two members of the Acting Committee, who reside in Pittsburg, have reported various visits and some Gospel service in the Western Penitentiary.

In response to an inquiry with regard to the provision made for the prisoners of that institution at the time of their discharge, Warden John Francies writes as follows:

A. H. Votaw, Secretary,
The Pennsylvania Prison Society,
Philadelphia, Pa.

Dear Sir:—

Replying to your inquiry of Dec. 20, 1911, permit me to reply as follows:—

1. With regard to money to prisoners on discharge.

This depends upon the distance the prisoner is going. If within a radius of fifty miles, $5.00 is given. If outside the radius of fifty miles, $10.00 is given.

2. With regard to clothing to prisoners on discharge.

The prisoner is given $10.00 worth of clothing as provided for in appropriation by last session of Legislature.

3. Clothing supplied.

Suit complete, and furnishings, viz.: hat, shirt, shoes, hose, tie, collar, etc.

Yours very truly,
John Francies, Warden.

At the last session of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, authority was granted to remove this prison from Allegheny City to some large tract of land amid healthier surroundings, and we have learned that a site has been selected about eight miles from Bellefonte in Centre county. Full opportunity will be afforded here to test the out-door treatment.

Chaplain Miller, of the Western Penitentiary, has kindly furnished the following statistics with regard to those paroled from that institution:

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISONS.

The Committee appointed to visit the Philadelphia County Prisons have been diligent in this service and the reports show that 6100 visits have been made to the prisoners at Moyamensing and Holmesburg.

The General Agent, Fred. J. Pooley, has assisted several hundred at the time of their discharge with lodging, clothing, railroad fares, and with articles to sell, while they are awaiting more permanent employment. He has given help to a considerable number in securing situations. The Door of Blessing has indeed proved to be true to its name in giving help to the women at the time of their discharge.

GENERAL AGENT.

Our General Agent, Fred. J. Pooley, has found a large field for service at the Central Police Station at City Hall. He makes a special object to have interviews with those who have had a preliminary hearing before Magistrates, and who have been committed for trial before the Judges at City Hall. More than a thousand letters has he written in behalf of those who have been arrested in the last year. Very often he secures the release of young prisoners by promptly communicating with parents or relatives, who assume responsibility for the offender. Thus many first offenders are turned from the error of their ways by this timely attention, and escape the schooling in crime which they would inevitably receive by further association with hardened criminals. The work requires to be done with the utmost tact and discretion, and several of the Magistrates have borne testimony to the efficient service of our General Agent. He has presented a more detailed report, an abstract of which will be printed in the “Journal.”

COUNTY PRISONS (OUTSIDE OF PHILADELPHIA.)

Members of our Acting Committee have reported visits to the prisons in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Monroe, Lancaster and Westmoreland and other counties. With the passage of the proposed amendment to our Constitution, providing for additions to the Acting Committee, it will be possible to secure workers in other counties of the State, who, we trust, will be of material assistance in collecting information, and also in co-operating with us to secure measures to ameliorate some of the evils of the present system. There are very few county jails in the State whose construction and management may be regarded as creditable. Some of the officials are doubtless doing the best they can with the means at hand. But the great majority of jails throughout the State have made little progress in the last half century. “No prison without employment” should be our campaign cry. It ought not to be impracticable for a number of the smaller counties to unite in the management of a prison farm to which petty offenders should be sent. Such a farm should be self-supporting.

It should not be forgotten that the State of Pennsylvania has at least two institutions which for some years have illustrated the value and efficacy of farm life for prisoners. One is the Huntingdon Reformatory, the other is the Allegheny Work House at Hoboken.

AMERICAN PRISON CONGRESS.

Since our Journal for 1911 was issued so late in that year, it gave opportunity to include in its contents an account of the Proceedings of the American Prison Association, which met in Omaha, Nebraska, in October, 1911. This report was prepared by the secretary of the Society, who was appointed Delegate to the Association. Deborah C. Leeds was also present at the sessions of this body. In 1912, the Association will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, and we hope a considerable number of the members of our Society will attend its sessions.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY.

By motion of the Acting Committee passed in June, 1911, Dr. William C. Stokes was appointed Assistant to the Secretary. His duties have been to assist in the clerical work of the office, and especially to endeavor to increase the amount of funds collected for the use of the Society. Since his appointment, the office has been kept open during the greater part of the business hours of each day, and we have felt there was an important service in having the office accessible at all time to members and visitors. Since June 21st, a Register for Visitors has been kept, and the record shows that 417 visitors had registered to December 31st from 35 States. A few foreign visitors were received. Many of these visitors appear to appreciate information about the work in which we are engaged, and they generally accept some of our publications. We believe this opportunity to present some features of our work will prove of some value.

OBITUARIES.

During the year 1911, the Acting Committee lost by death three of its members.

On Eighth Month 18, our beloved Honorary Secretary, John J. Lytle, passed away from his residence at Moorestown, N. J.

On Second Month, 15, Miss Mary S. Whelen, formerly a very active and efficient member of the Active Committee, died at her home in this city.

On Seventh Month 1, Robert P. Nicholson, a new, but deeply interested, member died, as the result of an accident.

Appropriate notices of these valued members appeared in our Journal of October, 1911.

THE SCOPE OF OUR WORK.

In 1787, the labors of the Founders of our organization were confined to the prisons of Philadelphia. It was but a few years when they found it necessary, in order to accomplish certain reformatory measures, to petition the Legislature for some changes in, or additions to, the penal code. As time passed their interest extended beyond the limits of Philadelphia, but it was almost a hundred years after the founding of the Society that its name was changed from “The Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons” to “The Pennsylvania Prison Society.” Our interests are State-wide, and in furtherance of this, the Membership of the Acting Committee has recently been increased by the election of other interested citizens residing in counties outside of Philadelphia, thus enlarging the sphere of our influence. For many years, the Society has had the valuable services on its Acting Committee of two members from Pittsburg and several from counties adjacent to Philadelphia, but closer relations with the prison work in all parts of the State are much to be desired.

Our Master said, “I was in prison and ye came unto me.” In the spirit of the Master, let us endeavor to impress in the name of humanity, all well-disposed people everywhere to lend a helping hand to their brothers and sisters who have been overtaken by a fault.

On behalf of the Acting Committee,
Albert H. Votaw, Secretary.

DEATH OF ROBERT B. ADAMS.

Robert B. Adams, a former member of the Acting Committee of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, who resigned in the autumn of 1911, on his removal from the city to accept the Secretaryship of the Y. M. C. A. at Rochester, N. Y., died Jan. 18, 1912, after a short illness from pneumonia. He was a genial man of broad sympathies, and his loss will be felt by a large circle of friends and by a host of unfortunates by whose ministrations they had received help and inspiration.

REPORT OF TREASURER.
John Way, Treasurer.
IN ACCOUNT WITH
The Pennsylvania Prison Society.
General Fund.
Receipts for the Year 1911.

Payments, 1911.

Statement of Barton Fund.

Payments.

Home of Industry Fund.

Respectfully submitted,
John Way, Treasurer.

We, the undersigned, members of the Auditing Committee, have examined the foregoing account of John Way, Treasurer, compared the payments with the vouchers, and believe the same to be correct.

We have also examined the Securities in the hands of the Agent, The Provident Life and Trust Company of Philadelphia, and find them to agree with an accompanying schedule.

Charles P. Hastings,
John A. Duncan,
Auditors.

Philadelphia, January 10, 1912.

GENERAL AGENT’S REPORT 1911.

To the Acting Committee of The Pennsylvania Prison Society:

With the close of another year, your General Agent takes pleasure in making the following report:

Regular visits have been made to the Eastern Penitentiary and all the prisoners received at the institution during the year were visited, and with the consent of the officials I have written letters to relatives of many of the prisoners, some of whom had not written home for years.

Regular visits have been made to Moyamensing Prison and to Philadelphia County Prison at Holmesburg. Over 6,000 prisoners have been visited and more than 600 assisted with room rent, board and lodging, railroad tickets, tools, car-fare and employment, etc.

Your General Agent has made daily visits to the Central Police Courts and to the cells at City Hall. During the year, 1911, 1,238 letters were written by him to relatives and friends of those under arrest, by whose assistance or advice, bail was secured in many cases, and in other cases a discharge was obtained. During the month of December, 181 letters were written at City Hall, as follows:

I will mention a few of the cases to show the importance of the work of the Agent at City Hall.

No. 1.—A young man from Martinsburg, W. Va., arrested for being on the streets without a home; the Magistrate held him for ten days to give me an opportunity to look into the case. I learned that he had been from home eighteen months. I wrote to his family and obtained his discharge. He wrote on his arrival home:—

“My dear friend Mr. Pooley:—

“I arrived home safe last evening at 6.30 P. M., and was met by my father at the station. My father, mother and sister welcomed me at home and even my little dog also. I just arrived in time, thanks to you, for my folks were about to move to Mexico City, Mexico.

“Thanking you for your great kindness to me,
“Very truly yours,”

No. 2.—A young man from New York left home without consent of his relatives—found himself stranded in Philadelphia—was arrested and given ten days in County Prison. I wrote to his mother, who came on to this city and obtained his discharge.

No. 3.—Case of a woman arrested for spending her evenings in Broad Street Station. I questioned her closely and found that because of an unkind word with her sister, she left home and spent her evenings in the Station, not having anywhere else to go. She told me who she was and where her sister lived; I visited the sister, who was delighted to know her sister was found. We obtained her discharge and she went home.

No. 4.—Two young men charged with larceny from a department store. At the request of the Magistrate, I investigated the case and found the young men were from New York City; at once a letter was sent to their people; father came on; the charge was withdrawn; the boys discharged and their father took them home.

No. 5.—A young man from Louisiana arrested for stealing; said he had nothing to eat for three days; was committed for court; said he would not disgrace his family as his father had a nice business in the South, but he would not tell his address. During his conversation, he told me his father came to Philadelphia twice a year to buy goods, and mentioned one of the places where he bought them. I went to the place he mentioned and found his father was then in the city; I left a note asking him to meet me. He did so, and was deeply touched to learn where his son was. He at once went to the prison and took an attorney with him, and when the case came to court his son was discharged, and he went home with his father.

No. 6.—A young man from Massachusetts charged with robbing, who told me he had not written home for six years. I wrote to his father, who was delighted to know that the lost son had been found. When the case came to court, the young man was discharged and he went home with his father.

The cases mentioned are only a few of the many, but they indicate the character and importance of the work of the General Agent at The Central Police Station.

While visiting the cells in the Central Station, City Hall, I always feel a great responsibility resting upon me. I feel that a word spoken in kindness and love may awaken thoughts of the days of innocence and inspire them to endeavor to regain what they had lost.

The officials of the City Hall have been very helpful to me in doing all they can to help along the work. I deeply appreciate their kindly services.

“Sabbath Reading” has been distributed weekly through the personal efforts of our late friend, John J. Lytle. The subscriptions to this useful and appreciated magazine will expire in March, 1912, per annum. Something over $100 is needed to renew the subscription and I trust that way may open for the continuance of this benefaction.

Thanks are due to many of our friends for magazines and papers for the prisoners.

During the past year Emlen Hutchinson, Esq., Chairman of Board of Inspectors, Philadelphia Prison, has kindly sent me $80.00 for the purpose of sending home runaway boys, a donation of great usefulness.

Respectfully submitted,
Frederick J. Pooley, General Agent.

COMMITMENTS TO MOYAMENSING, PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISON.

The Philadelphia County Prison, Holmesburg, was opened as a penal institution on December 28th, 1896, since which time, 12,767 men had been received to December 31st, 1911.

F. J. P.

ENFORCE IDLENESS OF PRISONERS

The law of Pennsylvania limits to thirty-five per cent. of the whole number of convicts, those who may be employed in any of the trades; as a consequence, the greater number of them are consigned to enforced idleness. No punishment could be more severe, and if punishment is the chief object of our penal system, it is certainly secured by Pennsylvania law. It is a system, however, which belongs to an age long since past, when the reformation of the criminal had little or no consideration.

It is proper that an evil-doer should suffer punishment and that society should be protected from his evil ways, but humanity and Christianity alike require that at the same time that he is subject to the restraints of the law, the wisest efforts should be made for his improvement and reformation, the correction of his evil propensities, and the formation of good habits, to the intent that when the prison gates are opened to him he may have a fair chance to become an upright and useful citizen.

This end cannot be attained by keeping the convict in idleness, the most fruitful source of immorality and mental and physical degeneracy. This law of enforced idleness is not only cruel and inhuman, as to the convict, it is improvident as to the State, for the convict, if employed, could not only earn a large part, if not the entire cost of his maintenance, and thus relieve the community of this burden, but he would be able to lift another and greater burden which must rest somewhere, the support of his family during his imprisonment.

Under the present system the guilty convict is not the chief sufferer. The severity of the punishment falls heaviest upon his family—the innocent wife and children.

UNWISE AND VICIOUS.

Is it not surprising that legislators who are responsible for this compulsory idleness do not see its unwisdom and viciousness?

Instead of permitting the convict to earn his maintenance by his own labor, a fellow-laborer outside the prison walls is taxed to support him in idleness, an idleness which only intensifies whatever criminal propensities he possesses, instead of curing them, and increases his capacity for depredations upon society when the prison doors are open to him.

In other words, for every man within prison walls who does not earn his maintenance, some man outside has to earn it for him. The Divine decree, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread,” is reversed in the case of the man who eats his bread in the sweat of some other man’s face.

Joshua L. Baily.

THE PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISON AT HOLMESBURG.

The Philadelphia County Prison, located at Holmesburg, between the Philadelphia and New York Railroad and Torresdale Avenue, about 6 miles north of the City Hall, and known as the new jail, was erected some 15 years ago. It occupies a plot of land containing about 21 acres. The wall which encloses the buildings sets back from the outer line of the property about 30 feet, so that the acreage of the interior is about 18 acres. The stone walls are 35 feet in height above ground and 12 feet under the surface, so that the entire height of the masonry is 47 feet. The wall is 6 feet wide at the top and about twice that width at the base, and entirely enclosing four sides of the tract. The cost of this wall, including labor and materials, was $835,000.

In the center of the building is a rotunda 80 feet in width and about 70 feet in height, surmounted by a lantern. From this center six one-story corridors, or blocks, radiate like the spokes of a wheel. These vary somewhat in length, but average about 330 feet, and there is an average of about 70 cells in each. The floor space of each cell is 8×18 feet and the ceiling height is 13 feet, surmounted by a skylight. Of these corridors, A, B, C, and D are occupied by white prisoners, and two of the corridors, E and F, by colored. The number of prisoners at this date, February 1st, 1912, is 715, about ninety less than at this time last year. About 60 per cent. are white and 40 per cent. colored. All the prisoners are men. All women convicts are sent to the Moyamensing Prison.

The total number of cells is 440, and usually each cell is occupied by two prisoners. Every cell is provided with a wash basin with running water, a closet, two iron bedsteads, a table and one or two stools. Each bedstead is provided with a mattress stuffed with 25 pounds of hand-picked corn husks and a 7-pound pillow of the same material. Beside a pair of sheets and pillow cases each prisoner has two 4-pound blankets of excellent quality.

When a prisoner enters he undergoes a careful examination and a very complete record is made of all his personal characteristics. He then goes to the bathing room. An entirely new suit of clothing is given him, and the clothing with which he entered the prison is tied up in a sack, to which his name is attached by a tag. The sack is then placed in a room provided for that purpose, where it remains until his discharge from the jail.

Wednesday and Thursday are bathing days, and each prisoner is required to take a bath at least once a week unless the physician certifies that the condition of the prisoner’s health would render bathing inexpedient. A change of bedding and underclothing is supplied to each prisoner on every Saturday.

Office of Administration, Philadelphia County Prison for Convicts, at Holmesburg

About 200 of the prisoners are employed in various trades, in carpentering 7, on tin work 2, making mattresses 2, as tailors 14, shoemakers 20, making brushes 10. These all occupy separate apartments. In one additional apartment there are 15 hand looms, on which are made the muslin used for sheets, etc. About 18 men are employed in connection with this weaving. There are in the same apartment 24 stocking weaving machines, employing one man each. About 20 find employment in the laundry, and beside these there are about 70 men employed in various duties, to wit: 14 men in cooking, 14 in the bake house, 6 in the boiler room, etc. The men employed in these various engagements have their meals in a dining room apart from the other prisoners, a room having 6 tables, seating 12 each.

The kitchen for this great establishment is a very spacious one and very complete and convenient in all its appointments. There are 6 large steam heated copper boilers intended for making soups. In these boilers 250 gallons of soup are made per day during 4 days of the week and an equal quantity of what is known as Irish stew on the other 3 days. The basis of the soup and stew is fresh beef or mutton.

From 700 to 800 pounds of fresh meat is furnished to the jail every day and is hung in a cold storage room, ready for use as wanted. There is in addition another storage room in which are stored a great quantity of canned tomatoes, barrels of rice, barley, etc., etc.

The bakery is also very spacious with 4 arched ovens and 4 kneading troughs. Eight barrels of flour are converted into bread every day, excepting on Sunday, a double quantity being baked on Saturday. The number of loaves baked averages about 900 daily, the weight of each being 2 pounds, this being a proportion of something more than one loaf a day to each prisoner, and it is worth while to add that the bread is uniformly baked and of unimpeachable quality.

Still another large room is used for the production of chocolate and what is called coffee. It is necessary to state that no coffee is used, but the article which passes by that name is rye, which is roasted and ground and boiled in copper boilers; 25 pounds of this material is used every morning and suffices to furnish about 3 half pints to each prisoner.

An equal quantity of chocolate is furnished for the supper. A dessert of prunes is furnished each prisoner on every Friday.

The boiler room, some 30×80 feet in dimensions, requires the attention of 6 men, and from this room an extensive system of steam piping permeates every portion of the buildings and furnishes the power for the engine and for the electric lighting. Electric lights are throughout all the premises, including each cell.

An ample supply of filtered water is furnished by the Holmesburg and Tacony Water Co., for which the jail pays $2,000 per annum.

The city had under consideration a proposal to purchase this water company, but the price at which it was valued, $146,000, seemed to the authorities too high.

There are in the prison at this date 9 cases of tuberculosis. These occupy cells entirely apart from the other prisoners, cells which open out on one side to the open air. The patients have liberty within and without, as their own pleasure and convenience suggests, and when the weather is suitable most of their time is spent in walking or lounging in the prison yard. Besides this, there are but few cases of sickness in the prison at this time.

Up to within a recent period, the prisoners all wore striped clothing, but on June 1st of last year this mark of distinction was abolished and the prisoners were all given new suits free from any distinctive mark. The striped clothing is now worn only as a punishment for misdemeanor and for which purpose there has been so far only little occasion. The exhibition of a suit of striped clothing to a prisoner or the mere mention of a possibility of his being compelled to wear one, has been found sufficient in most cases to subdue and bring the most obdurate prisoners to terms.

There is a library of about 5,000 volumes. Each prisoner being furnished with a catalogue is permitted to select as many as 2 or 3 books a week, the keepers often kindly assisting in making suitable selections. Two or three men are constantly employed in the care of the library and in rebinding the books, which become much soiled or in need of rebinding.

There are religious services in each corridor on Sunday afternoon, and at the close of that service the choir of colored men, numbering about 20, give sacred singing from the center of the rotunda, much to the enjoyment of the prisoners, all of whom can hear distinctly, even from the farthest extremity of the corridors.

A very interesting and commendable condition of the Holmesburg Jail is that the use of tobacco is prohibited. This prohibition includes the use of chewing or smoking tobacco or cigars, and extends not to the prisoners only, but to all the keepers. It is said that although this is a hard experience to a large majority of the prisoners on entering, they soon adapt themselves to it, and from the standpoint of health are undoubtedly better off for this abstinence.

The entire cost of the maintenance of this jail after deducting about $5000 each year for sales of manufactured articles or of waste materials, is a little less than $100,000, which money is appropriated by City Councils.

If the chief aim in the erection of this prison was to secure a place of confinement from which there would be but the remotest possibility of escape, the end has certainly been attained, but no one could go through the buildings and observe their harmonious and intelligent adaptation to all requirements without the conviction that the health and physical comfort of the prisoners had been made the chief consideration. The visitor, however, will have much occasion for dissatisfaction on finding that the majority of the convicts are without employment, but this is no fault of the Inspectors, who are charged with the administration of the affairs of the prison; the law of the State is at fault in that it limits to 35 per cent. of the whole number of convicts those who may be employed in any of the trades, and, as a consequence, the greater number of men are compelled to remain idle.

Notwithstanding this very much to be regretted condition, too much cannot be said of the good order and effective discipline which prevails at the Holmesburg Prison. A striking example of that was had at the time of a great storm which occurred in the summer of 1911, which overturned a tall chimney stack and unroofed a portion of the buildings. No effort was made by any prisoner to escape or in any way to take advantage of the unfortunate circumstances, but the utmost good order and propriety was observed by all of them.

J. L. B.

BORSTAL—ENGLAND.
(Extracts from letter of Daniel Buckley.)

Paris, February 24th, 1912.

... I have visited several prisons in England, amongst others, Pentonville, of which Secretary Votaw has already written (in 1909) and Borstal, which I shall make the subject of this letter.

... Borstal itself is in the country, in the county of Kent, about three miles from, and between, the towns of Chatham and Rochester, the former being reached by a forty-minute ride in a fast train from London. It stands high on the hills overlooking a beautiful valley, the shipping of Chatham and the Rochester Cathedral. However, Borstal means much more than a local institution, for it has given its name to a system of treatment during and after confinement which has been so extraordinarily successful that a modification of it is being practiced in nearly all British prisons for both sexes. Unfortunately, I chose a Saturday for my visit and as a sort of half-holiday is practiced there my view of the different departments in operation was necessarily hurried, and I cannot do better than give you, as much in his own words as possible, the description given me by Thomas Holmes a day or two before I made my visit.

In this place, since 1903, the Prison Commissioners have conducted experiments with regard to young male prisoners from which they have evolved the system to which the old prison has given its name.

“In reality, it is an attempt by the State, to rescue young persons from a life of crime and fit them for an honest industrial life. It is unnecessary to point out the value of such work nor to say that it is a new departure from the ordinary aims of penal administration.

“Of course there were many difficulties in the way and the Prison Commissioners found themselves hampered by lack of funds; the State being chary in giving requisite support. But in 1908 the system, having proved abundantly successful, became part and parcel of the penal system of the country and in 1909 prisons dealing only with the young offenders between the ages of 16 and 21 became Borstal institutions.

“Now a word in explanation of the method of selecting the inmates and their treatment. In 1908 the prevention of Crimes Act was passed, several clauses of which dealt with the reformation of young offenders. That they may be perfectly understood, they are given in full:

“Where a person is convicted on indictment for an offense for which he is liable to be sent to penal servitude or imprisonment and it appears to the Court, first, that the person is not less than 16 nor more than 21 years of age, and second, that by reason of his criminal tendencies or habits, or association with persons of bad character, it is expedient that he should be subject to detention for such a term and under such instruction and discipline as appears most conducive to his reformation and the repression of crime, it should be lawful for the Court, in lieu of passing a sentence of penal servitude, or imprisonment, to pass a sentence of detention under penal discipline in the Borstal institution for a term not less than one year and not more than three years; and for the purpose of this act the Secretary of State may establish Borstal Institutions, that is to say, places where young offenders may be given, while under detention, industrial training and instruction.

“This Act also gives power to the Prison Commissioners to discharge on license, such offenders as they think fitted for conditional liberty, but no license can be granted until the offender has served at least six months of his sentence and every offender whether he is released on license or has served his complete sentence, remains after his discharge under the supervision of the Prison Commissioners for several months.

“Another part of this Act provides that young offenders sentenced to the Borstal treatment must be of good physical and mental health and further provides that young men, up to the age of 23 may now be admitted to Borstal institutions.”

Having explained the Genesis of the Borstal institution and given you an idea of the class of young men who are admitted to them, it will be well to give some details of the daily life therein. The Borstalian, on his arrival is bathed and given his uniform and the Warden who receives him reads him the rules and gives him any necessary information. Next morning he sees the Chaplain and is examined by the Doctor and finally brought before the Governor. All his antecedents and capabilities are inquired into; his education, knowledge, trades, his tastes, etc., are carefully tabulated and everything, little though it be, is taken note of for the purposes of guiding the Authorities in directing the young man’s future. Thus, if he has any knowledge of a trade and wishes to continue it he is put straight at it; if he has none, but appears a likely youth for a certain job, he is put to that job at once.

“Should he be an ignorant and hopeless kind of youth for whom training and discipline, smartness, etc. is necessary, he is put among those who do the housecleaning, etc., where he must work neatly, and be quick. Every Borstalian gets physical drill every morning for one-half hour and one hour’s gymnasium three times a week when no fooling is allowed, for whether it be physical drill or gymnastics, work or play, he must do his share, perform all the exercises, every one of which has been carefully planned for developing his physical and mental smartness.

“Education is not forgotten, for no sooner does he join the institution than he begins to receive five hours tuition each week; nor is he released from this until he can pass examinations which prove him able to read with comparative ease, write intelligibly and do simple figuring. Even then further education awaits him, for special classes are formed on various subjects and lectures on all topics are given in a large hall where he goes when his behaviour and progress have been satisfactory. As magic lanterns are frequently used to illustrate these lectures, you can readily believe that these prove a great attraction.

“But the life at Borstal is not all work and no play for the Prison Commissioners have recognized that if a youth must work well it is essential that he play well, so recreation has not been forgotten. After five months a youth of behaviour and industry can obtain entrance to a special class and on three evenings in the week may meet with others, to play, to read and on Saturday afternoons may take part in football or cricket as the season serves.

“It will be seen that work, education and play all have a part in the life at Borstal but religion is not forgotten and I know of no religious service more impressive than some of those I have taken part in at this institution.

“Here is the programme of the daily life at the institution. At 5:30 the prisoner arises and begins the day with a biscuit and milk after which he cleans and tidies up his cell. At 7 o’clock he breakfasts on bread, porridge, margarine and with tea and coffee, if he is in the special grade. At 7:30 he is in the workshop or in the open; and carpentering, blacksmithing, bootmaking, building, gardening, cooking, cleaning, or laundry work, occupy him until noon, when dinner, consisting of bread, meat, potatoes and pudding await him. After an hour and ten minutes for dinner and rest he resumes work which continues until 5:30 when work ceases and there is a general parade reviewed by the Governor after which he gets his last food for the day, generally consisting of bread and cheese and a mug of cocoa.

“At 6:15 there is a general meeting in the Chapel when short addresses are given by the Chaplain and others and encouraging letters from discharged boys who are doing well are read. Then they go to the evening classes after which there is recreation for a few moments until 8:30 when they go to their cells and shortly after lights are out.”

Surely this is a sensible day’s programme, a sensible system and well applied. There are some faults in the plant but as the system grew from a very small beginning and the buildings were added from time to time this criticism is harsh. However, different planning would greatly facilitate the training and decrease the cost of maintenance. There are some in the system which are in process of being remedied. For instance, it is proposed to lengthen the period of licensed freedom to at least one year so that each boy can prove himself without need of care during the four seasons.

The care given these discharged Borstalians, either on license or having served their full time, is most admirable. They are in charge of the Borstal Association whose agents, aided by those of over 60 County Societies for the aid of discharged prisoners, have an eye, a very watchful eye, upon them and who report frequently to the Association, and a glance at their records, absolutely the most complete, concise and convenient imaginable, one can be familiar with the whole history of any individual. These records show, among multitudinous other things, that aid is frequently required to establish a boy as a self-supporting, self-respecting member of decent society. It is seldom more than assistance in procuring work, or a heart-to-heart “big brother” talk.

I wish every member of our committee could see these records. Besides their primary function of recording they furnish a wonderfully interesting human document, and a first-class text-book on crime causes, the chances for reformation of different characters, etc., etc., all based on the observation of the individual, not when under restraint, but when, comparatively speaking, a free agent.

Such records would have an incalculable value to us, if carefully kept by the Authorities or Prison Associations of the different States. In many places we are applying new systems, or old systems to new conditions. New problems are almost bound to arise, as the hordes of immigrants, reaching our shores daily, have their effect on the national type, and without exact data as to the cause of the failure of any system little can be done to better it, and a better weapon to induce legislation, not to speak of individual and corporate assistance in our work, would be hard to imagine.

What is called the full Borstal system has not been practiced long enough for some to consider it a proven success, but the figures here given, those for prisoners released in 1909, give cause for bright hopes at least.

If 82 per cent. of our offenders were reformed our prisons would be certainly a good investment, but it is only fair to remember that not all convicted youths between 16 and 23, and no adults of any sort, are brought under this treatment. Delicate or defective physique of any sort makes it impossible. How to make a cripple or a boy with a weak heart into a self-supporting man within the limits of the short sentence such unfortunates usually receive, is very hard to see. It is too short a time to learn a trade and even the English authorities are ridiculously hampered by laws preventing convict labor excepting upon articles for State use, so that what is learned at prison is of little value out of it....

Daniel Buckley.

SUMMARY OF THE EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS OF THE EASTERN PENITENTIARY, PHILADELPHIA, PA.

This report, contained in a pamphlet of about eighty pages, with nine plates, is printed and bound within the prison.

On the first of January, 1911, the population was thus classified:—

The discharges were:

The inspectors report the completion of a new building containing 120 cells, for which the last Legislature appropriated $60,000.00. The actual cost was $52,698.11, and the balance of the appropriation has been turned over to the Treasury of the State. “In the erection of the building, no other than the labor of the prisoners was employed.” They also state that the results of the application of the Parole Law have been very satisfactory.

Statistics of the 401 Received in 1911.

Considerable space is given to “Criminal Histories” of sixty prisoners, received in 1911, who had previously served one or more terms at the Eastern Penitentiary. The criminal records of eighteen prisoners, received in 1911, who have relatives in prison, are given.

Visits of friends and relatives (not including members of religious organizations):

Of the 108 illiterates received in the school, only 3 were illiterate when discharged.

The branches taught are Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, Grammar, History.

The members of various religious organizations have continued their helpful visitations, and the Sabbath services have been well maintained.

The assistance of the Pennsylvania Prison Society in providing clothing for prisoners at the time of their discharge receives grateful recognition.