, 1873-02-23
LONDON.
The Transactions of the International
Prison Congress.
Treatment Of Convicts in Vari-
ous European Countries
Tie Latest Scandal-..Lord Byron,s
Grandson Seeking a Divorce
from His Wife.


from His Wife.
From Or 0,cn Correspondent.
LONDON, Feb. !, 1879.
In the warm July days, last year, there nigh
have been seen in fine old oak hall, in tn
quiet precincts Of the Temple.-a structure snr
rounded by ancient buildings, tenanted only il
the daytime, by barristers and their clerks,-,
spot which, though but hundred yards re
moved from the great roaring thoronghfare o
Fleet street, is as undisturbed, and in one sens
secluded, as If it was in the middle OF forest
in this hall might hare been seen 3 gather
Ing Of men from every European country, ami
from the United States, Mexico, Brazil, ant
Chill. These personages communicated witt
each other by interpreters, and the Ian
gaage> Of gesture and the faatu1ef
did the rest. I looked in ono hot day as Was
passing bY. I had forgotten they were there,
and wondered at the sight, ut that hour, Of the
open doors OF the Honorable Society Of the Mid
die Temple. On entering, I saw long rows ot
men and women. of various races, aod Of oddly
differing facial peculiarities, listening, all Of
them, to somebody on q platform who waa read
ing paper in French. I then remembered the
circumstances. the proposal Of an
INTERNATIONAL PES1TExT1ARx CONGRESS
by the United States Government the in7ita-
ton to exports of every civilized country, and
1he arrangements OF the English Committee
They constituted 3 curious gathering,-those
pzison-oaicials from every country whore
csimn is IN art. What IN experience
they POSSESSED! What. terribly dark
side OF humanity they had studied! Tho
only assec2blaga to mA5ch it in exceptional in-
terest would be IN International Criminal Con-
gress,-a collection Of the thieves aud the
scoundreIs Of the world. However, the English
come body Of that description, aud " effect y
muEt sometimes bo sacrificed to considerations
Of civic convenience.
I must tell you that it was thought well by the
international Committee not to occupy the time
OF the Congress by the reading Of papers, but to
leave such accounts rs each country had pre-
pnred, together With the papers which had been
contributed, and full report Of the discussions,
for publication in tie
yoLusEc OF TRANSACTIONS.
Eow. this volume vas issued for the first time
yesterdays and it is the fact, Is the Secretary Of
the Congress claims that there has never been
brought toge!herauch mass OF perfectly unique
matter in ell questions relating to prison disci-
pIine aud treatment. It may fairly be described
Es the most important communication
70 thia department Of comparative criminal
Jurisprudence TINT has yet been made. A large
volume, OF 796 pages, cannot be described with
amy closaness hare, but I hope to aay enough
respecting it to induce many of your readers to
take tie first opportunity in their way Of looking
at the work itself; for imagine that it will be
reproduced in the States.
rr1a rF has ~ A~yn
being alphabetical, the first OF the reports on the
actual condition Of the prisons Of various coun-
rr2es Is by the Austrian representative.
IN AUSTRIA,
there are prisons for persons sentenced to more
than one years imprisonment; prisons for per-
Eons sentenced to less than one year, and prisons
OF the District Courts for minor Offences. Since
1857, MI new Buildings have been arranged in
such manner that every prisoner shall as rule,
spand the first part OF lis imprisonment--a
period Of ct least eight rnonths-in cell; tho
rest OF his term being carried out on the collec-
tiye system, regard being had to strict classi-
fication, and to gradually bettering his treat
snent and preparing hin for liberty. The pria-
pnera receiTe sha-e Of what is earned by their
work. The puuishments include chains, stop
iGug food. G hard bed, and dark cell. ALI Aus
1rian prisoners are provided with schools, and,
up to their 35th year, prisoners must attend.
Every prisoner Ignorant Of trade learns one in
prison, II tha length OF his term makes this pos
sible.
\ oi the twen:y-ai1 prisons
II IN BELGIUM,
[AiShteea arc conducted On the cellular systen. |
:lII=oners receive part Of their earnings. The |
administration in Belgium has declared, in the |
regulations relating to penitentiaries, that it |
would encourage aad facilitate the formation Of |
associations OF persons OF both sexes with !
view to offer counsel and consolation to the |
those OF their families and to facilitate their re-
eatrance into society. But mo such association I
las yet been organized, nor. has anJ private per-
son ever offered himself for the performance Of
bof in essa hens ahere is pna Id
prisoner ought not to cauT with him, on
lis discharge from prison. the idea that work
is punishment in this world and that he hes
Suffered il long enough during his iEnprison-
to free himeelf from its claims" Par: Of the
labor OF the prisoners is awarded to
especial contractors, wAo offer re,nuac.atire
prices "and adequate guarantees OF aobriety
tie cellular system is applied in thocase Of short
a-1d tie asEociated or aggregate sys-
tenn in the CASE OF long GeEtences. About 80 per |
,eat OF the prisoners are employed By coutrac-
'ors in different Ways. For each prieon socie-
r. has been formed, with the view of being |
# assistance to tue released convicts.
IN FRANCE
he punishment Of the geleys hns given way to
Establishments in colonies dcvcted to trans
,or1at;on. The transportation Of women is au-
horized by Law, ii view of marriages to
70 contracted With the couvicts after their pro-
iEio1al or dehcitivo liberation. The ce1lular
;ate1a is not applied to any central prison. The
;scipline Of these prisons ;s that Of detention,
I common with the obligation OF silence butit
: acknowledged taat this p-omiscuous essocia-
ion will have to bo given up. In one of the fe~
aie central prisons it has been possible to entire
J Withdraw the snhEidy granted to the CONTRACT |
i, the earnings OF tho prisoners being sufficient
or the support OF the establishment. In another
rison, tie contractor, instead Of receiving my
hing from the State, pays to it g contiine per
ey for each convict. ts Books specially written
or prisoners are not thoae which they prefer.
hey read with greater pleasure books Of his
ocy. voyages, novels, a1d narratives which have
DEches OF the marvellous, of elevated senti-
lents, and Of renowned actions" 1ha profit Of
le industrial labor OF the prisons is awarded
} contractors.
/ ECO that one Of the punishmeats in
8lrEE 77pYcnxe ]