Connecticut western news., 1876-12-01
A PRISON IN NORWAY.
The Methods Employed by MT. Petersen in the Reformation of Criminals. and the
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The Methods Employed by MT. Petersen ir
 the Reformation of Criminals. nnd the
 Results Obtained. !,
 The penitentiary is the latest and best Of the Norwegian prisons, having been opened twenty-five years ago QS51).I II has two hundred and fifty cells, spacious and we'll ventilated. 1 "visited, ex. amined and inspected" it in September of last year. MT. Richard Petersen. a son of the late prime minister of Nor way, is the director or warden, Q gentle
 man of excellent natural gifts, of large culture, and heart whose every pulsa- tion Is for the reform, the elevation--in q word, the salvation, of the fallen and the unfortunate. In his whole work he has but one impulse, one desire, one aim; it is, by Gods help, to change ba d men into good ones. His devotion is illustrated in 8 remark made in evident inconsistencies that there was any self praise in 1t. Referring to the feeble state of his health, now becoming chronic, he said: "I ought not to re. main in the penitentiary; but I cannot help it." Devotion SO unselfish and so tireless would, one would naturally SUD- pose, be rewarded with many reforma-
 
 On the arrival of the prisoner at the penitentiary MT. Petersen first takes him into his office, and in strictly private conversation questions him kindly but searchingly as to his past life, his parents, his brothers and sisters, where and how he had lived, his occupation and earnings, what had led him into crime, and especially the cause of the criminal act for which he had now been committed. In this inquest M. Peter sens manner is 80 gentle, so kindly, so winning, so truly paternal, for his heart is i1 the work, that tho prisoners confi- dence is gained, he is more often than otherwise: melted into tears, and the secrets of his life are laid bare.
 All the facts elicited in this interview are carefully set down in the character book" 'tt.t --.- .,-... Next MT. Petersen explains to the prisoner the nature of the punishment to be undergone, what he will be re- quired to do and what not to do while in prison, and why all this has been made necessary by his crime. He gives him to understand that it is his duty to sec the prescribed punishment executed, and at the same time he explains to and impresses upon him that he and the other officers are the prisoners best friends, since their great object is to change him by. Gods blessing into 8 better man.
 In the " character book" is after ward, from time to time, inserted what ever is calculated to throw light on the moral state of the prisoner, such as frag- ments of his correspondence. how he works, studies, repents, confesses unde- or, contrariwise, how he neglects his opportunities, and grows worse. His disciplinary punishments are also all set down ill the same book in word, an outline of his entire moral history dur ing his imprisonment is there made matter of record. ..t-t
 CARE OF DISCHARGED PRISONERS.
 Before his discharge the prisoner is again called into the directors office, and a parting conversation recounts briefly the incidents of his prison life. He tells what advancement he has mads, and in what directions; what are his plans and purposes where he wishes to go, what to do, etc. Then, if his hom @ is not in Christiania, the director asks him to write to him often and freely, and so inform him where he is and how he lives, what he works at, how much he earns, and what sort of persons he chooses for his comrades in short, to tell him all the particulars of his lifep his successes, his failures, etc. He as- sures the prisoner, at the same time, that he will still continue his interest in him, ant seek his welfare. The chap lain's estimate of the prisoner and what ever suggestions he has to offer concern ing him are inserted in the "cbaracter book" Lastly, his weight at his en- trance and at his discharge is recorded therein.
 MT. Petersen lays great stress on these records relating to the prisoner, believ- ing it necessary to study the man thor oughly i'll order to manage and mold him as an individual being. He re- gards individualization as essential to all prison discipline. He lays equal stress on his correspondence with liberated prisoners, having by this means, he says, in many cases continued } good work and carried it forward to perfection. ',.
 THE MEANS EMPLOYED.
 Mir. Petersen visits all the inmates of the prison in their cells every three weeks, and in special cases oftener. The chaplain also sees and converses with the whole body of prisoners with equal frequency, without limiting him. self, however, to once in three weeks. Tn the present incumbent Mir. Petersen aas an able, devoted and faithful CO., worker.
 Through these agencies MT. Petersen reaches, with few exceptions, the hearts of his prisoners, for his own heart works n and by them. As 8 consequence he .srely fails to win their confidence and .ffection. Thus he governs them by yentleness and love rather than by vio- ence and fear, anu they are unspeak- 1ocile, orderly and obedient by the 'ormer method than they would or can oe by the latter.
 A meeting of the prison staff is held avery Saturday for conference and con- on all matters and interests pertaining to the prison and prisoners.
 Among the best reformatory agencies Mir. Petersen counts the ser mons and personal conversations of the chaplain, the school and the labor. The abor, he declares, is 8 "hobby" with Jim. ''Ahl" said he, kindling with enthusiasm as he uttered the words, . our prisoners who are employed as ,abinet makers, turner's, blacksmiths, ladders, basket makers, etc., behave Vell."
 THE LABOR SYSTEM.
 The labor system differs greatly in the hree Scandinavian countries. In Den mark the prison labor is let to private and the director general of prisons, MT. Rruun, defends the system IS the best yet devised, being there, he 'ays, held so firmly in hand by the prison authorities as to prevent all in erference with the discipline and ex-