The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-10-10
Ghe 8uHetin.
STATE PRISON ron WOMEN.
Distinctive EeaIures Of n Massachu-
setts RefOrmatOry InsthutiOmA
-Mealth, Morals, and Com. - -
fort C0nsid erred NO Place
IN 4
From the Raaton Herald.


From the Boston Herald.
The state prison for women, the building
OF which was commenced about two years
ago, Is now finished. Its principal officers
on the spot q nd in their places, and Is in
readiness for the commencement OF The
practical working Of the institution, which
will be In order as soon as the governor Of
the state has made the pro nation de-
manded by the laws. The site OF the prison
Is about three.quaiters OF amile from South
birmingham depot, aud about four miles
from Sherburne's centre OF business; 10 the
latter place has little 10 do with its con.
Germs. y
Surrounding the entire prison and oil It's
divisions and sings -every.part,.. in fact, ex.
cspt the supertendenps house--is a sub
stsntial fence, eleven feet high. Between
the wings are various yards at level grade,
four Of them reserve for exercise grounds,
where the Inmates, II properly disposed,
may have outdoor recreation. Convicts
are TO be received at m,in gate on the
south side, opposite divisionI. There Is
room where they are washed, tlcketed,
Andin every way prepared for a.longer or
shorter tarry in the institution; then up
to the Office, where they are assigned cells
or apartments according to condition.
II Is designed that this shall be agenulne
reiormatory institution, and not such only
la name, without the least semblance or sp-
proach TO the fact. To accomplish this re-
suit The hrst object has been to provide for
the complete classifying Of the c0nvicts re
ceiyed, 30 that the thoroughly vicious shall
never be- found communicating those by
degrees unfortunate, criminal through
ca rather than from inclination.
For the hardened strong prison has been
devised, containing fifty cells in three
ranges, opening into Il general corridor
the cells are furnished with grated doors,
and presenting all the features Of dun
gon sofor a, Strengths concerned. These
are the only cells in the building which
have no window. but az the outer wall of
the corridor Is beautifully supplied, 10
lack oisunshine.ls found. This Ia q prison
indeed, and as IN adjunct, two cells in d
remote part of the basement have been
where the obstinate and abso lutte.
ly refractory may be isolated, and howl,
or cry, or swear themselves into subiec-
ton. These are the only appearance Of
severity In the institution.
Then comes the inferno diate divisions.
where criminals,,of middle class are I'm.
INJURED, 100 cells In q division. These
with all have, windows iron bedstesds,
the en- upon which the heads Is to rest
slightly raised, an Incorporated pillow, so
% speak. The ventilation Is perfect In all
Ihese; and the arrangements looking to the
human and suggestive OF inducements to
.ry to do We'll in every direction.
For women who have babies or expect
'Oon to have when they enter, excellently
designed rooms--thsy are above the order
81 ceDs-haye been designed, and these
grouped in division are called nursery.
These rooms are furnished with q crib be-
side the bead, and are really more COM
Tortable than anything of the sort many
Who will occupy them ever saw in their
life. This division Il near the hospital
md within easy distance OF the apartments
If the doctor and her assistants.
The hospital is complete. All the beds
IRE furnished with the best wire bottoms,
md are soft as feathers. For the severely
lick separate rooms are supplied, as for
hose whom the doctor desires TO have I'M
Ter her own direct supervision. Open fire.
places at either end OF the general ward
Md TO the excelleDces Of ventilation on
every hand. A popularity OF all these dl.
visions throughout the prison is that the
na,ron's room is SO arranged that all under
her charge are constantly under her eve,
and can by no possibility be otherwise.
This Is to be a place of work and not
Idleness. In the south basement the most
elaborate arrangement for laundry work
hsve been prepared, and large amount OF
room set apart for the purpose. Three
large rooms furnish the space for the laun-
dry work Of the establishment. A much
larger space is provided for laundry work
sent in from outside BY the public, who
can patronizs the institution. Up stairs
there are great rooms for basket making,
sewing, clothes making. or such light work
% comes within the capability OF women to
perform, and may be selected by the off.
cials. The chapel ia . fine, large hall, easy
Of access, and pleasant to visit.
The officers so far appointed and now in
their place, are Mrs. Eudora C. Atkinson,
ndent, who has been connected
with Gen. Armstrong g school at Hampton,
Va, and who is thought to be thoroughly
capable In every respect for the position;
DR.. Eliza NJ. Mesher, physician, who
leaves q large practice in Poughkeepsie,
N. Y. to accept her present place; Col. J
C. Wilton, treasurer and steward, and
half dozen or more matrons appointed
by the superintendent. The chaplain,
who by law must be female, has not yet
been appointed.