New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-19
PRISON DISCIPLINE.
NATIONAL PRISON CONGRESS.


The Committee of Arrangements for Ma
topa Prison Congress met recently in the office Of the
Prison Association Bible House Six States were repre-
sented. The gentlemen present were: Theodore w.
Dwight LID; Oliver b. Strong, Is. X. Pierce, d. d., ana
the Rev Dr. Wines Of York the Rev. Marcus Ames'
superintendent OF the Massachusetts Industrial school
for Girls Prof Gilman of Yale College; Al curt, NJ d.,
OF the Eastern Pcnentiary and H. Neyin OF the West
ern Penitentiary Pennsylvania H. r. Brockwsy super
intendent OF Detroit House OF Correction and the
Rev Fred H. Wines Secretary OF the State Board OF
Public Charities of Illinois.
r Evils OF THE NETWORK SYSTEM.
The meeting was spent in free Interchange OF views
with reference TO prison discipline and reform
Mr. Brockway said that there danger OF the Congress
giving attention to details OF management than to
principles IL ought especially to consider the relations
OF society prison work. the obstacles In the way OF
reformatory system Of prison dscipnend the changes
necessary in our criminal aw, and In the construction
and organization OF prisons
Dr. Wines spokeIof the plan pursued in New.YOrk Of
making the prisons part OF tho political machinery OF
the State and said that thorough reform OF the prison
system is impossible without change In the Constitution
The Prison Association ucceoded in migrating uponhe
amended Constitution an admirable article but the
Constitution being voted down. that article failed with
the rest There however, prospect OF incorporating
It's substance theI existing Constitution as special
amendment, which would remove the government OF
the prisons from the OF politics and make their
administration permanent. Gov. Haight has recon-
mended the reform in California. and the Gov
ernors OF Ohio and California have both recommended
the gradual adoption by their States OF the Irish prison
system.
PRISON DISCIPLINE IN PEsssYLvANTA. MICHIGAN AND
MASSACHUSETTS,
Mr. Nevin said that one difficulty in the way OF success
IN the discipline OF the Pennsylvania prisons Ia there
quency OF pardons Another s the mpossbiity OF md
ing homes aud employment for discharged prisoners
The Legislature OF Pennsylvania has recently passed two
good and important laws one instltuting the system OF
communication by which prisoners shorten their term
by good conduct the otheiallowing the congregation or
prisoners for purposes Of labor instruction and worship
Formerly in the Western Penitentary, the chaplain
stood the corridor and preached to the men in their
cells without seeindaFlnge face. Now each prisoner
sits on stool front Of his CELL They had cabinet
organ and choir composed of convicts who make really
elightfu music, and very attentive. There was
some risk in the experiment. but 1t turned out well
Mr. Brockway thought that the desire for release among
prisoners might be used to awaken a desrefor sefim
provement In Michigan law was made sentencing
prostitutes to confinement for three years until re-
formed allowing the Inspectors Of Prisons to release
them az any time satisfactory evidence OF reformation
The influence OF this law very salutary.
Mr. Ames said that in Massachusetts, they are trying to
allow the prisoners certain cent Of their earnings
as an incentive labor He read memorial presented
70 the Legislature asking for the establishment Of separ
prisons for women under female supervision; also
for the establishment OF Reformatory for young
women. and suggesting various other reforms: lie
thought training schools for prison ocers great want
at this time
Mr. strong remarked that we must not make prisons
and reformatories too attractive. Mr Brockway replied
that cannot improve the character OF criminals II
their surroundings are degrading.
THE SEPTEMBER MEETING IN CINCINNATI
Dr. Wines gave outline OF the topics proper for dis
art a dwelling
upon the importance OF substitution Of ndeerminate
or reformation sentences instead OF time sentences and
OF pelmanency prison administration The Committee
resolved to hold the proposed conference at I'm
onnati in September, to commence on the Dth and 10
decide The persons invited To participate IN ts Ge0er
ations are Governors or persons day au9noTsea 20
prisons pententarles. and houses OF correcOh
boards prison inspectors superintendent ana man
OF Juvenile reformaores chaplans OF prisons anu
reform schools representatives from prison.
societies. and such other persons AZ the Committee OF
Arrangements may think proper to invite The topics
Included the foIowng sa6dir,sonsl me rssponsn1 ol @
for TIE causes OF crime ne w n,opeIs The best
means wkeuug public aud engbsenns public opinion 90
IT, The True system Prison Discipline Criminal law relative to
prisons prisoners Prison administration Its true ain aud Is
education moral instruction the enforcement OF discipline and the
Prop.r subjects Tor rms,or should reformatOes
corporate Institutional The eonsesste and family sy'teH. D lhe
Comparative View Of Existing Prisons in the United states
m preparaon for The Congress The following
resolution also adopted Resolved, That tins com
mittee approve OF the suggestion OF International
Congress on CrminalLaw Reform and Penitentary and
Correctional Discpne.aDd recommend to the National
Congress to take suitable action thereto relating
STw-YoRK SIXTH DISTRICT NEW PENAL INSTITUTION.
Dr. Dwight, at the conclusion of the business Of the
meeting, by special request gave an account OF the
plan OF organization OF the new penal Institution in the
Sixth District of this state In accordance with the
fla he
nssiOners, TO choose location ana present pia OF
whom DR.. Dwight was one. The commission selected
the improved methods Of prison discipline In their on
ION methods TO take young class OF criminals
between ages of l6 and Sole being the aJ which
PeYIcc we thou gt it better continued DR. Dwight
take only those sentenced for their first oiense Our
idea then was TO bring To bear on these persons refor
tory influences reOrmatory distinguished from penal.
We adopted the thought Of the Irish system,
namely TO commence course OF discipline with strictly
our design incose 10 20 with high wall.
rendering escape from this Enclosure ipossbe but to
allow such behave well the comparative freedom Of
the Irish system and 10 employ them In aDors upon the
farm
five years, inmates of the reOrmatory should be
sentenced until reformation not exceeding five years.
which would the managers power TO discharge
formed criminals before the expiration Of five years
Where any persons sentenced for term exceeding
years the shortening of their term will be left 10 the
operation OF the Communication laws. Our object is TO try
the experiment OF reformation sentences. We thought
that possibly the mark system as pracced In Ireland
may be applied as 10 determine the duration OF I'M
prsOnment but this left to the discretion Of the
gers.
Our next thought related to management How shall
an efficient warden and Board of Managers be secured
We all know the detrimental influence OF the working Of
the present system upon the prisons OF NewYork Our
prisons given over to party politics. one Inspector
elected each year 10 serve three years The result Is
continual change. The system should be abandoned
altogether.
our Commission adopted the plan recommended by the
Prison Association TO the Constitutional Convention
Five managers are TO be appointed by the Governor
each OF whom shall hold Office for years They
without any compensation other than their trav
cling expenses and appoint the warden, physician
chaplain, and clerk. The warden is empowered 10 ap
point aud subordinate officers. He is made