The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-12

visitors TO remain he does so. Those who are
sick, or who express decided religious couvic-
tions, are visited more often than their fellows.
The other official is the school teacher, who,
under the direction of the moral instructor, i'm
parts the rudimeuts of an English education to
those of the prisoners who need Il. Those who
come to the prison unable to read and write are
there taken in hand and taught. The moral In
structor in his visits ascertains who require
Instruction, and the schoolmaster teaches all
such as he is ordered by the moral instructor.
The teacher every day passes around from cell
to cell, as no class system could be used under
the circumstances In each cell which he visits
he spends ten minutes, the inmate stopping his
work to receive the instruction.
The duties of the moral instructor are vari-
ous. Not only has he the charge of the visit
ing and the moral and secular instruction, but
the religious services on Sunday are also under
his care. These in themselves require much
care, forethought, and trouble. To explain how
they are held 1t is necessary to slightly explain
the construction of the building. The prison
proper inside ofthe inclosng walls is built some
what in the form of q wheel. There are seven
spokes or radii branching out from round
centre building. Each of these radii contain
number of cells arranged in a gallery and cor
ridor. The passage way runs down the centre
OI eacu OF Tue seven, anu is covered Dy u ulBu
circular ceiling. On either side are the cells,
the door of each opening upon the passage way.
These doors all open towards the centre
building, and person standing In
the middle of that building can see
the extreme end of. each radii
and could notice the opening of any door. Each
cell is supplied with double door, an inside
grating and an outside door of heavy oak.
These outside doors so arranged that they can
| be fastened or opened on slight operation, the
! opening being towards the centre of the build
| ing. Each cell in the corridors has attached to
| it small yard, surrounded by high wall, the
| entrance to which, from the cell, Is guarded by
an opening similar to the corridor door. The
prisoner occupying the cell is allowed to take
recreation in his particular yard for one hour
each day. The cells in the galleries have no
yard, but have window opening upward, and
are double; that is, each cell is composed of
| two small communicating rooms. When a re-
| ligious service is to be held the doors
of the cells in radii are fastened, partly open in
inner grating and remaining closed and the
radius is cut off from the centre building by
closing the intervening doors. The preacher
takes his stand at one end of the gallery, and
thus commands both the cells in that row and
those in the corridor below The construction
of the building is such that discourse delivered
in an ordinary tone of voice can be distinctly
heard in every cell in the compartment. By this
method, as many services are required as there
are radii in the building. To supply these SER
vices is a part of the duty of the moral in
structor. He counts upon himself for at least
one, the Local Preachers Association of the
Methodist Church supply five other preachers
and the rest are provided for by obtaining who
ever can be obtained of whatever denomination
himself attends to the remaining services al
different hours. He has often preached as many
as four times in one day.
This same gentleman has also charge of the
prison library. which contains great number
volumes in many departments of literature, ant
in both German and English. The keeping o.
these books-their numbering, their binding
and their distribution-is attended to by pri
soners detailed for The purpose. Each man ha:
a choice of books once in two weeks, and the
amount supplied is sufficient for that time.
The duties of the library keep those engaged
in 1t continually busy. 1t is their regular work
All are compelled to work in somegway, if only
for the sake of acquiring industrious HABITS
They are engaged in various pursuits, such as
shoemaking, weaving, Gaming, sewing, ant
household work. The result of their labor il
sold, but is not contracted for as in some pri
sons where the congregate system is in vogue
1t is found impossible to make the labor pay
and the prison self-sustaining and at the sam,
time produce any reformation in the prisoners
While we compel work, and to certain amount
it is not made the principal thing The articles
manufactured are taken by firms doing bust
ness in the city, at prices slightly lower thar
the market rate, but the difference is so slight
and the amount of the product so small, coRpa
lively that the sale does not at all interfer,
with the interests of legitimate trade. Th,
punishments for unruliness or a refusal to worl
are the dark cell, and a deprivation either OF
work or food for short time. OF these, the de
nial of work is the most dreaded.
The prison fare is of the best quality. The
bread is good and is made upon the spot by the
prisoners under professional head. The othe
eatables are of the best the market affords, OIL
some occasions even including dainties. In th,
article of drink the men fare as well as the bes
in the land. Coffee, tea, and cocoa are servet
each at the respective time allotted. The cock
ing apartments and utensils are scrupulousl,
clean, the cleaning operations being performe'
by prisoners whose work must be thorough,
inspected before the task is declared finished
The most particular need not fear to eat an
drink with the prisoner.
The health of the men is good, and is in fac
better than the health of the same number Q
men collected together in any town or village
Considering the circumstances of the case thi
is remarkable. Most of the inmates com
with constitutions broken down with debauch
cry and bad living, and are here, so to speak
cured. Not only is the general health main
tanned, but the manner of living acts like tn