The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-02
LIoHTEsING THEIR BURDENS.
Some Of tho BRIGHT spots Of Convict Life In
the Kings County PenitentisrV'

The Kings County Penitentiary ut FIAT
bush Ia in many respects model institution
The only complaints that have been heard from
II under its present administration were oon-
nected with what was considered too severe dis
cipline, and they have been few. On the other
hand, there feems to be continual effort on the
part OF the officials to better the condition OF the
oonvicts, and In no way was II more strkingly
illustrated than yesterday, when the library that
has been collected for the prisoners use was
thrown open to them. Contributions OF books
were solicited from Brooklyn's residents, and
tho call was generously responded to. The de-
align Ia to mako the library permanent, and u
starts OF with several hundred volumes. h"ias
have been prepared concerning It's use by the
prisoners and It s thought that It will aid as an
incentive to good behavior, as those under dis
cpline are barred from reading the voumeS
Much OF the credit for the collecting and open
Ing 9i this library Is que 10 a cohinit.e1 M vi
were approached on the subject, entered heart
and soul into carrying out the plans OF the prison
officials.
The experiment Of school IN tn 10 renltentiary,
at which those cOnvicts who are really anxious
to better Their condition, and whose conduct
makes them worthy Of announcement, Is to be
tested, beginning probably next week. lhe
plans nave not been fully matured ns yet. but
tho trial Il to be made and prerarations for II
are in progress. when the subject was nrst
broachod. Deputy Grumpy made careful can
10 persons confined In the institution, over ono
hundred could neither read nor write. They
were IN the main prisoners who had been com.
mitted for the lowest order OF crime that Will
send them to the peuitentiMy. Ihe men who
enter into the higher acts Of law breaking, IA
rule possess considerable education, MI Crun-
nv says, and can invariably read and write.
Much care has been taken to ht up n suitable
SC ooroom for this expofimentI instruction,
ana tho evening Will utODably be the time de-
voted to It. Any violation Of the prison rules
will deonr tho convict from attending the
school The authorities believe IN the theory
that good conduct should be recognized with
suitable encouragement. The prisoners seem
very much pleased with the pian, mailing WILD
delight anything tnat will Give them even the
slightest relief from the monOtony OF prison life.
he aui horities wish TO demonstrate that In one
Instance At least prisons are not schools OF crime
An effort which seems to have been started Oy
Chaplain Bass and Keeper SheVlln IS being mao o
to supply prisoners on their discharge with a
SUIT % plain clothing aud u little money. Chap
lain Bass argues that to send man who mas
been confined for months, possibly years, within
the prison walls out In the world without a
penny IN his palm, IL u tempt him to steal the
FIRST meal that he eats; 1t cOmpels him to return
to his old home, where his disgrace ts Known,
and where the chances for his getting his bead
above water In honorable business are slim. A
little money, on the contrary, gives HIM small
capital ou which to start IN some humule occu-
patton, aud its proper distriOution might he
/ an incentive to obedience aud Industry on the
! part OF the prisoners. The Kings county super
visOrs have under consideration the proposition
/ T. give the prisoners on their discharge sum
! equal to ;Iree cents day Tor the period OF tneif
/ iucarccrAti n.
The penitentiary was IN the last year self
! sustaining; .,Ss prisoners were admitted and
] l.}Di were discharged. lhe earnings Of the con.
/ wet labor were <79.U43l, an Increase OF S-o,OV.
over those Of the year before.
The Rev Mr.. Bass holds services Ia the chape
on sunday afternoons. and mtueles with The
! conyicts through the week. lie Is much OF a
! fayOute with them. The keeper also invites the
assistance OF well-me aiming persons, irrespective
prisoners who are really desrous OF leading bet
| ter lives.