The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1872-02-10
ENGLISH PRIsONs-NO. g.

ons we have been travelling extern
sively in England. and have been
greatly interested MS we'll as fully
occupied. From this old city, dat
ing back to nearly one hundred
years before Christ, and full Of in
teresting remains, having part Of
its old walls still preserved. and a
cathedral Tor Minster) of great an.
tiquity and splendor, l shall at
tempt to give you some further re-
port; first of the Convict Prisons
(for prisoners of five years and
longer } To save the time and te-
dious uniformity of visiting SO
many different institutions Of the
same kind we selected the repre-
sentative prisons, and gave them a
careful examination. The first of
these WAS Hentonville, or the Mod
ell Prison. as it is called in Lon
don. It is the prison to which
convicts are first sent, and where
all remain for nine months at least.
1t is a fine substantial building,
admirably arranged, and had with
in its walls 500 convicts. These
are all confined in separate cells,
except that they are taken out one
hour each day for exercise in the
| yard, ard one hour each week to
school, and to the Sabbath services
With these exceptions. they only
see their officers. Each cell has a
supply of school books, slate and
pencil, and a bible, prayer book,
and some other religious works;
and for good conduct they are en-
titled TO some books of a general
character. Five school masters
are engaged in teaching them in
their cells an hour each day, and a
chaplain and priest administer to
their spiritual wants. They are
EMPLOYED at mat making. weaving
ard sboemaking. and are SO TASK
ed as to make it hard labor, except
few who are used in the domes
department. Everything about
J the institution is neat ard clean,
; and the most rigid order and dis
cip'inc prevail. The Governor
liyes in an adjoining house and
acts as The commander of an army.
+; The deputy or warden who accom-
panied us was cry kind and oblig
ing; but there is sombre, solemn
7 quiet which prevades the whole
t institution, and strikes one with
ave ON entering, and apparantly
. an air OF cold authority and stern,
!, rigid discipline characterizing the
government. We could see but
= little to soften and reform the men,
= but rather an apparent want OF
: sympathy and kindness. After
: nine months if their conduct has
been good, the conyicts are remov
4 ed 10 other prisons where they
:. work congregate companies. The
;. presence Of lady visitors seemed te
surprise the officers, but We
: thought the regular attendance O
!, some kind christian would do mucl
l. to soften tho rigor Of the prison
e No lack of sufficient food and
rs bodily comforts was observable
y The cells are large and well ar
a, ranged. We next visited
&c WORKING PRISON.
70 1t is located on farm % mile
IN from London, near the small tow
ID Of Working. The situation is beau
;, tiful, overlooking fine country
~ 1t was built Ii years ago for inva
40 lid and disabled prisoners, ait
RI like all the English prisons, whic
:. we have visited, is magnificen
at building, constructed on the mos
" approved style, and built in tn
c. most substantial manner. 1t ha
r. 724 plisoners-nOne of whom al
n able bodied. Those who SIRE abl
OF to be ont Of the Iifirmary arc en-
~ ployed in light labor on the farl
or at trades, such as shoemakin!
rk tailoring and book binding, an
many, especially old and feebl
n men, were employed at knitting
,st more to keep them employed tina
a. from any profit derived from the
lat labor. The Infirmary is admirab
zee arranged, and everything needle
OF for the comfort of the sick is pre-
~ vided. The physician is vel
Ia, pleasant and experienced gentl'
lie, man, and displayed much kindne
of and sympathy towards tho sicl
to The building is especially col
er- structcd for the object, and lac
nothing so far as we could jude
aol All sick and disabled prisone
Lug from the other Government pri
70. ons are sent here, as soon as it
riot apparent that their illness is Of
ave chronic character. We were gre.
nan ly pleased with the prison aud
it officers, and it supplies a mu
'm> needed want in q country who
on, there are SO many convicts. Y
.ns learned that a considerable nut
VI Der of corvicts who had been i
nee jured (some Of them permanent
tied from overwork in the other priso
the are sent berc. Many are, feebl
,eld minded an d unesqual to much Q,
the vice. While it caused feelings
the sadness to see so many weak q
tne cnfcebled persons all of whom 9
.u' criminals, we could not but rejo
too to see them so humanely and kin
to ly cared for while suffering I
penalty Of their crime.
ters At the same place is located
nci- prison for women, where we fou
'on- sos prisoners all managed by
NIT lady governess, who has ejgh
zen. four subordinate lady officers,
snss clndinr a acriDtnre reader and