The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-06
A New Prison Experiment in Russia.

The st. Petersburg correspondent of the Lon
don Herald writes, under date of July o.
'By the eXertions of M. Valouief, eX-Minister
of the Interior, a large building in the Wyborg
quarter OF the town. formerly used as bonded
warehouse, has been turned into kind of
model PRISON, ON an entirely new plan, for
offenders condemned to a short term of imprl-
sonment. This establishment has been organ.
lied with view of rejecting all that is bad in
the different prison systems employed in the old
and the new world and retaining only what has
been proved to be advantageous. 1t is expected
on the one hand to be ;ouud means of avoid
ing the disorders Of the ordinary penitentiaries,
which, as is well known, are turned into mere
schools Of in1quity by the enforced idleness of
the criminals aud their seelusion in common
during he night and on the other hand of
remedying the detects OF the American cellular
system, condemned by Russian philanthropists
as inhuman and expensive at the same time.
''The iGea of the present attempt, the prin-
cipal merit of which lies in its cheapness and
facility of execution, is entirely due 10 NJ. Va
louieff, who made his first essay at Moscow and,
emboldened by the success that attended his
efforts there, has turned his attention TO the
wants OF st. Petersburg. One chief object has
been to save the expense OF erecting new prisons
like the model houses of detention in Europe,
which (according to Count Sollohoub, who has
contributed to the Coos an interesting article
on this subeCt) cost no less than I20Or (about
El50) per prisoner, by utilizing the vast build
ings, such as barracks, hospitals, converts, and
manufactures, great number OF which lie
closed and utterly useless in this capital.
"The establishment iu question is divided
Into four large dormitOries, each containing
one hundred and forty-eght cells separated
from each other by wooden partition walls. BY
this dis rlbution it is hoped that the cruelty OF
cellular detention and the evils of criminal
herdmg together in common at night will be
alike removed. Besides the five hundred and
ninety-tWo cells, there is an intirmary with one
hundred beds and adequate accommodation for
the hospital staff and servants OF the establish
ment. To each dormtOry is attached spacious,
well-iighted workshop, in which shoemaking,
tailoring tor the amy, weaving, locksmiths,
joiners and other trades are carried on. In
one part of the premises is a forge, and beyond
an excellent kitchen garden. The prison is
capable Of holding 800 dstenuS whereas the
cost of adapting the old building TO its new
purpose did not exceed sO,OOOr., 4. e., lOOr. per
man.
"The Minister of the Interior was very desir-
GUS OF making The prisoners themselves help by
their haldiwork to meet the eXpouses OF install
latiOn, and eventually to contribute something
towards their own keep. This he found quite
possible in his experiment at Moscow, but there
the criminals were of class whose term of inn
prsonment was longer in duration, and of course
in their case the task was easier and more prac-
ticable, there being ample time in three or
four years for the prisoners to serve an appTen-
ticeshlp, learn a trade, and even take In work
| by contract, chiefly for the army. However, it
seems that in the new establishment, which
only admits individuals condemned by the juge
de p0iI TO one years imprisonment or under,
the result has been wholly satisfactory, the work
assigned being chiefly mechanical, and the sys-
TEN has worked so well, that Count Sollohoub
expresses q hope that deportation to Siberia, a
fruitful source of disorder, useless expense and
disgraceiul abuses, may henceiorWard be found
unnecessary.
ITO advertise critics who reproach the autho-
rites with making the place too comfortable,
and the criminals better OF in many respects
than honest artisans, the count answers that the
loss of lberty, the restraint the irksome disclp-
line, the shame OF their position, the priYation
of their old habits and pleasures, and regular
hours of work, will still be found sufficient to
create repulsion, and cause real pain to the
. idle and depTaVed. Even il il does not, he
argues that whoever contrasts the present
houses of detention with the hideOus dens OF
vice and drunkenness that obtained formerly,
will be gratided at the salutarY change. After
all regular work must be productive OF some
good, and regular wages must DO found pow
erful incentive to eXerion.'
Twenty five millions in gold from Califor
MIA in 1867.
Vermont sends forth a nineteen pound
picksrel.
Kate Reynolds is still immensely popular
In London.
Another large crop Of prOnunciamentOs il
Mexico.
The Mammoth Cave is making money thi
season.
--Mouagas is now cock Of the walk in Vene
guela.
-Colfaz is smiling all around his face on
West,