The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1872-01-13
"A SECOND LETTER
From Chas. F. Coffin.
Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal.
MouNr JoY Prison FOR MEN,
DUBLIN IRELAND,

J
Upon our arrival at Dublin, we
found that the Directors of Prisons
in Ireland, p. J. Murray and Cap :
tain harlow. had been advised Of
our coming, and they received as
with the utmost kindness and COR
diality, and did everything in their
power 70 aid US. One of them T.
J. Murray, spent day with us in
visiting the prisons under their
direction in Dublin. We went
first to the Mount Joy Prison, and
were hown through it in all its
departments-Mrs. G. being the
second lady who was ever admit
ted to pass through it, the first
having been Miss Carpenter, the
writer Of "Our Convicts." 1t is a
very massive, chaste stone build.
ing, surrounded by a wall eighteen
fee: high, Of the same material.
The house would cost about
10000, or say, $35O,00O. It
contains the residence of the Gov
ernor, Tor Warden, as we call him }
and physician. Both of these
officers receive salary of f3O0,
say 1900, besides a furnished
house free, lights, etc. Every
thing is constructed on the most
approved plan. Cells, large; were
lighted and thoroughly ventilated,
each containing hammock and
necessary bedding, table stool,
several volumes Of books (Catho-
lie or Protestant, according to the
wishes of the inmates), as we'll as
school books and other needed
articles. Everything about the
prison is very clean and neat, and
not the least unpleasant smell can
be detected. Floors are white and
clean, door knobs and other brass
brightly polished, and wall white
washed. This is the first penal
prison tc which men convicted for
i've years and upwards are sent.
A suit Of clothing Of plain, sub
stantial WOODEN goods mot striped }
is sent to the county where the
conviction takes place, in which
the prisoner is brought to Mount
JOY. When he arrives there his
hair is cut, face shaved clean, body
bathed, and a new suit of clothes
put on in the presence Of officers
Ito prevent the concealment of
anything); the rules Of the prison
are then read and explained to him
and printed copy hung in his
cell; he is numbered, placed in
claes three Ton probation) and
locked in his cell for reflection.
He is furnished with suitable hard
| work in another cell separate from
the other convicts during the
day.
Ho receives tho visits Of ths
Chaplains and officers only-Cath
olic, Protestant and Presbyterian
Chaplains being employed. &C
ccrding to the profession of the
convict. He is taken out an hour
each day for exercise. (yigorous
walhing in circle around the yari
with he other prisoners and tc
school an hour each day, wher,
lie is instructed in reading, writ
ing and arithmetic. If there is n,
violations of rules or misconduc
Of any kind he is advanced in
few months to another class, bu
| still worked ut hard labor in sep
aratc cell. on v hat we would cal
spare diet, but enough TO keep hir
healthy On the Sabbath tho pris
oncrs are oil taken to the chapel
Zone for the Catholics and one 70
the Protestants) where tho usus
services are held. The Chaplain
also give attention to the persons
religious instruction of the cor
victs. After eight months con
finement in this p: ison, If the pri,
oner has violated no rules an
been advanced through the variou
classes, he is removed to Spike Il
land (which Was described in m
last, where he passes the secon
stage OF his prison service.
When We visited Mount Jo
Prison there were abolt one hui
dred and thirty prisoners. ] pun
pose in my next to speak OF tt
, prison at Lusk, the third Of tt
grade, and at some future time
, allude to the principles of the Iris
system. G F. G.
!, Out in An Illinois town the ed,