The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-05
NEW JERSEY STATE PRISON.

Another Additional Wing-Industrial Pur~
suits-The Institution seii-smpporting-How
Religious Instruction IN Received.
The new wing OF the New Jersey State Prison ia
nearly completed, and win soon oe ready for ocsu-,
patton. There at present 90 prisoners con-
lined In the institution. There are 400 men en-
ployed in the manufacture OF shoes, and The new
workshops resOund with the hum OF industry. The
new prison keeper, Mr.. Howell. appears to UNDER
stand his duties. and he PIE excellent order.
He found smoothly running insti ution when 10
took charge and he has kept up the discipline.
WEAVING
has been successfully introduced Into tho prison,
aud about nifty convicts employed attending
power looms, the products OF which are common
up steep ladder AMI il Is wonder nobody has
furnished JOB for the coroner III coming down tho
steps. No one is allowed to speak to the weavcrs or
GRIN seNTINErs ON THE WALLS
would seem to make u Impossible for any OF the In
record OF tho past year shows. The convict Fox
WHO escaped Oh Sunday night, is reported 10 have
Belvldere and Delaware Rllilroad. he is some
where about his Old haunLs and may soon DO
captured. It's strange chat, wl.h the experiences
OF the past before the inspectors they do not have
cheuaatr-de.frtSe erected on the walls. That would
enectuay prevent any more escapes over the walls,
and The cost would be saved In what Is paid now In
one year Tor arresng the truants VINO don't want to
stay at this school for rogucs
PREACHING oN sUNDAY
TO the prisoners. rhev cannot see The minister nor
can the latter see them. lie stands on q platform,
while the prisoners are IN tile cells, and goes
through his sermon without an audience on whom
he can trace the effects Of his oratOry That Is
hard work for the minister, and to many
OF the prisoners the service some smoke,
some yawn some read lew pay attention; for with
the small number OF wardens H. Is cay TO cheat
them, so Tar as attention To sermon Il concernedJ
Fellows confined even for crime don't always like to
be ectured and they require great philosophy to
see the force OF the preaching.
THE ORDER AND AtHtNG EMENTS
are excellent. II the prisoners only knew their
strcngth-li they rose In concert--no power In the
prison could keep them down; but they don't know
II, and II they 40 they are afraid TO venture. The
twenty year man could not get me one year man to
tue force OF o strike lor liberty; there Is dis
trust winch ls the guarantee OF safety to the under
keepers and all about the place.
The Institution Is now pa ing one, and there 10
no reason why The whole expenses SHOULD not be
met.
SIX HUNDRED ABLE-BoDrED MEN,
most OF them working. shou d DC aDe 10 pay for o
place like the state Prison Of New Jersey. To make
II so Is The object OF the peseut keeper and the IN
spectors. In some quarters lt IS alleged that q.
money Ene to be paid for in work at certain rate;
OF payment would be efcacous IN relieving tho
State from all burden. Say. Tor instance, man
commlts o burglary. lis line Is fixed AT Sl,Ov0,
which he must earn by labor. Whine he IL earning
IL he Is charged for food, lodging. clothes and his
is incarcerated.
IN THE FEMALE DEPARTMENT
OF the prison there are about thirty convicts ana
some OF those charged with the heaviest offences
are the best looking. Tie women kept busy:
some OF them seem thoroughly content with their
position and wonder What they should do II they
obtained liberty.
1t Is quite likely before many months that ar
engagements FOR making the prison thoroughly self
supporting institution VIII be made. The discipline
VIII rather be strengthened tnan relaxed and
rogues VIII ind out when tney 60 TO Jersey State
Prison that Jersey law. wnIch Is apt 10 convict the
guilty, can keep her crimluas IN check while In
linDO.