The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-16
OF the sSa in Pennsylvania, IA convlcts were par.

In the Massachusetts Penitentiary convicts were
sent TO the Insane Asylum.
sound mind; but, by the treatment in the Peniten-
tiary, are reported by the resident physician, DR..
Klapp, to be "fully restored to reason
As to the discipline or government OF the prison.
ers in the Massachusetts Penitentiary 1t is stated
some OF them unauestionably bad but more Of them
unfortunate; some of them receiving the lust re-
ward for crimes committed whilst others, ia their
managed and controlled without ccaslonal frc-
tion."
tanned for It appears that I'VE have had a prison
population Of 953 convicfs, many OF whom are the
most desperate men who have ever been imprisoned
within these walls. Yet quiet and good order have
prevailed, and by the vigilance aud active care OF
the olHcers no escape even into .he yard has been
effected, and no harsh or severe treatment has been
The above extracts, at least suggest the inquiry,
II coDgregatiDg into one mass those convicts, the
control OF whom is described as producing "occa-
sonal friction, is the wisest plan for their proper
government, or for the best interests OF society.
In Massachusetts, =!.h Tl4 convicts as the total
population for 1915, sour expenses, as given, were
In this penitentiary, with a total population for
1870 OF 953 convicts our expenses were SOS sS64s.
In the Massachusetts Prison the recommitments
on 174 convicts total population during 1910, were
1O0, or equal to 13 IA per cent
In this Penitentiary the total recommitments on
629S convicts, the whole number liable to reconvic
ton since 1922 were 599, or for say 40 years. 10 per
cent.
separate system" has trlumphant.y vindicated
itself against open as well as covert assaults, which
Ignorance, prejudice or that '1ittle knowledge" so
dangerous In scientific studies have, from time to
time made against IL.
1t would not be presenting too much to believe
that you gentlemen OF the Legislature, will invoke
the experience Of this State Institution before
acting into laws measures relating to convict disci
prevention or punishment. Surely the knowledge OF
facts, and the practical working Of principles or
might be important to test either new propositions,
or determine the proposed benefits that the love OF
change always promises as the undoubted results
The necessity of legislation presupposes an under
standing Of the subject matter and no source Of in
formation which is reliable, or experience which is
respectable, or knowledge which has been carefully
ana ntelligently acquired, should be ignored while
such legislation is being perfected for It's purpose.
makes this self.evident.
While the primary purpose OF this report TO the
be made, yet the scope OF the direction tnas,
"expedient" for making this his .'nstitutiOn
effectual in the punishment and reformation OF
tons more generally relate to the subject OF penal
jurisprudence
tained in the tables submitted indicates the careful
investigation OF the OF each convict, and
the confidence established between the individual
and the prison authorities. This tends to create
in the mind OF the prisoners the impression that,
though convicts, human sympathy Is not to
be denied them, and that even in prison there is an
interest felt in ther welfare and Improvement. To
some, this ia a first lesson in reformation; with
others, it awakens the good Impressions OF child
heod The influence all is to facilitate the accep-
tance CT any agencies that are designed for reform.
But, apart from these considerations, the consrl-
buttons made in these reports to penal science mi-
ted though they to the investigation OF the popu
lation OF this Pententiary 1t Is hoped Will invite
poTtance Of authorizing by law comprehensive re-
ports to be obtained by department OF the State
Government those subjects, which intimately
connected with uDheathful developments In the
social conditions of certain classes In the whole
Ii such information could be obtained and sys-
tematically arranged it would enable the Legsla-
ture to understand what legislation was most ne
cessary for the public good.
Crime cause would be better understood, preyen-
ton and punishment could be so adjusted as to
separate the proper treatment OF those who most
needed either, under laws adapted to each.
1t might be then ascertained that industrial
schools and reformatory institutions for the frat
oenses OF the young Offenders. were more essential
than neglected or l-regulated prisons or more peni
tentiaries.
From such information, the conclusions might be
arrived at that county prisons on the separate sys
ten, properly governed and administered should be
the rule for all large countless rather than the eX-
ception in Pennsylvania.
1t could hardly be doubted that with such reports
carefully made the Legislature could better deter
mine how the money OF the people might be libe-
rally and wisely expended for the poor the suffer-
ing. the idle, the vicious. the criminal the ignorant
and the unfortunate. From each section OF the
e rea a an u od 0 1nese les would be
TO relieve, :. restrain, prevent, punish
ana ed ca .asss probably wGn,S indicate
True philosophy would teach the adaptation in
diyidual treatment TO individual or special develop
ments OF causes producing particular results.
1t would more Certainly enable judicious classn-
ton to be made of remedial preventive, and puni-
uVeagencieS, ana prevent the pauperizat0n OF ind-
yiouas into an idle or INDECENT class. or a more
dreaded crime class. ii no other result was
s6me TUSa sem og WScb 70 Establish by
handicrat skilled labor could be within the reach
OF those OF the young who sought it, and at the same
time be approved and appauded by an enlightened
Reference has already been made to the 'commu-
taton law, by which sentences OF the convicts are
shortened by their good conduct" while under con-
viction. This plan has been described as statutory
recommendation TO the Executive TO discharge the
convict before the sentence inflicted by the Judicial
power expires. While II Is not pardon under the
exercise of the constitutional prerogatiye of
the Governor, 1t is a device which, by legisla-
ton, controls the Judicial and directs Executive
action. How wise such legislation may be is
no part OF the province OF the Inspectorsfo consi-
der, much less TO determine. 1t is now brought to
the notice OF the Legislature for the purpose of
II the Legislature can enact law by which a Judi
cial sentence can be terminated before 1t expires by
its own limitaiio ion, then 1t becomes most impor-
tsnt question to consider II this principle cannot be
applied for the purpose OF more enectuay securing
the aim OF punishment by Imprisonment, in par
ticular cases 1t sometimes happens that the
exercise OF the pardoning power is subject to public
criticism. There are no doubt cases in which there
are grounds for this anmadversion but the Inspec-
tors do not desire to express any opinion on
cases OF which they have no direct knowledge from
their official relations with the prisoner
The comparison hereinbefore made between
the pardOns granted by Massachusetts, New
York, end Pennsylvania shows that in this
State Executive clemency has been very sparngly
exercised on cOnvicts In this Penitentiary.
1t is undoubtedly true that there are now in this
institution several convets who fully entitled to
pardon, II the purpose OF their punish Ement to
qualify them for restoration to II erty with benefit
TO themselves and advantage TO society.
To reach these cases is difficult OF accomplish
ment under the present system. IL par
don is asked, then the inspectors may be
regarded exceeding the line OF their Official duty,
and their action misunderstood or misconstrued; or