New-York tribune., 1867-09-06
THE IRISH CONVICT SYSTEM.

The most interesting report IN the pamphlet
recently issued by the Prison Association OF
New York is that made to their Executive
Committee by Mr.. Hubbell on the Prison Sys-
TENS of England and of Ireland. The English
system, though it seems to be ably admins
tered, is, in principle and in results, decidedly
inferior to ours. They have still corporal pun
ishment-though the Governor must be present
and enter on his journal the number OF lashes.
They have the tread wheel, with this restrlc-
ton only THAT trenty-t,Co thousand feet be
" the maximum hight which any one prisoner
&" shall ascend in a single day" that is to say,
the daily compelled ascent shall not be greater
than that of Mont Blanc, with Mount Wash
ington superaddcd. There is no rule by which
convicts shall be allowed part of their earnings.
There is no commutation consequent on good
conduct There is no burial service Ref0rma-
ton is little looked to. "In the majority of
cases no improvement is perceptible, but
rather deteroration.' The system is repres-
sye and deterrent. Its results may be summed
up in a single statistical item The number OF
recommtments, on an average OF years, Is fully
fyty per cent The present proportion In our
New York State prisons is it will be remembered,
about ten per cent only
In marked contrast stands the Irish system,
as applied to convicts of the worst character
those having five years or more to serve This
reformation is chiefly due to two men Its
germ is found in publication by Capt.
Alexander Machonochic giving his experience
in prison training He devised the mark sys-
"temr and in an incredibly short time
transformed the community of ruiians, bru-
"tazed and degraded to the lowest depths of
"vce and crime, in the penal colony of
"Norfolk Island' "a dependency of the
English colony of New South Wales), into
"a community of peaceful, obedient, we'll
conducted men" In a pamphlet published
by him as early .as 1915 he gives the key to
his system in these words: Danish slavery
" from our list of punishments, rely on iniiu-
Z" ence rather than force, surround with motives
"as well as walls, and the benefit to humanity
will not be inferior to any that has been
compassed in modern times" But it is chiefly
to the enthusiasm, energy, and executive talent
of Sir Walter Crofton, a gentleman who was
appointed Chairman of the Directors OF Con-
vict Prisons in Ireland in 1854, that the present
system owes its existence and success. For
thirteen years his recommendations have been
followed, and the result is almost beyond be-
lief The outline of his plan is as follows:
The principle of classification is thoroughly
and Systematically carried out, there are
three stages proper beside fourth, being
ticket of leave system, under surveillance On
his arrival, the convict is subjected to very
strict discipline. The first stage is passed in
solitary confinement, but for limited period,
and in a modified form. The term is eight
months. The prisoners work and eat In their
own rooms but they take exercise, have divine
worship (twice day, and attend school Zone
hour each day., all in association, though con-
versation is not permitted. This period of sepa-
ration, which, however, may be shortened by
good conduct, is regarded rs q sort OF chasm-a
period of suffering and of undisturbed reiec-
ton, interpOsed between the prisoners past life
and that which it is proposed he shall lead. One
item seems somewhat out of character with the
rest of truly benevolent system for the
first four months the convict is made to sleep
on plank, with box for pillow; "a de-
gree of severity" says IIubbell, (which struck
"me as excessive,hn bordering on cruelty" The
object seems to be to mark, as distinctly as
possible, the gradual relaxation of severity.
The first lesson taught in school to the new
convict is one on the /" Irish convict system"
His future prospects in prison are laid
before him. 1t is shown to him that these are
in his own hands. He is instructed how he
may shorten each stage of his confinement by
| good conduct, at each stage coming nearer to
freedom; he is informed, in a word, how he
may work his way out not as Baron Trench
| did, by burrOwing under walls and construct
| ing tunnels of exit, but by causing bolt and
bar to be withdrawn, land gates to be
thrown open, as the reward of industry,
obedience and morality. The irksOmeness
Of separate confinement for example, may, by
exemplary department, be shortened to five or
six months, and mitigated even sooner, the door
being set open part of the day. In the second
| stage the prisoner emcrgcs to cOmpanl0nshlp
with his fellows; he is transferred to another
prison, there to be employed, in association,
chiefly on Government works. Here begins the
system of marks" to determine the future
classification. The greatest number convict
can obtain per month is nine; three for general
good conduct, three for attention and
desire to learn in school. and three for
diligence and fidelity at work There are five
classes ia this stage-the probation class. the
| third. second, first, and, finally. the exemplary