The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-22
A RUSSIAN PRISON.
The House of Detention at st. Pc
tcrsburg.
[st. Petersburg Correspondence.l

[st. Petersburg Correspondencel
have no hesitation in stating that the
House of Detention in st. Petersburg
where Mirsky and the other political pris-
oners were confined, has been built on
the latest models of prison construction,
and is administered with noticeable re-
gard for the health and humane treat
ment of the prisoners. 1t is used for po-
litical offenders, but is also used for ordi-
nary criminals. 1t will hold 900 prison.
ers. The number reported to me as be-
ing in the prison when visited it in Au-
gust last was about 700, and as l passed
along the various corridors of the five
stories of the building there were cor ;ainly
many cells vacant. Any cell that de-
sired to see was freely opened, and | found
the same admirable arrangements
throughout-a water-tap, a gas-jet, a
water.closet (not always in
perfect working orderl an
iron camp bedstead, and thin
mattress and blanket, and shelf on
which the daily supply of rye bread was
placed. On one of the cell doors being
opened at my request, a young man
stood up with quiet respectfulness, hav-
ing before him scientific physiological
work, which he had apparently been
reading at the time of my entry. l was
told he was a political prisoner gravely
compromised. Like all political prison
ers, he retained his ordinary clothing,
and his long hair was worn as usual. He
was, or had been, probably medical
student. He was apparently about
twenty-five years of age. 1t was difficult
to conceive such a person to be cOnspir-
ator. His large. somewhat dreamy eyes
indicated unmistakable intelligence. and
probably weary search for the ideal,
which, in the actual condition of things,
led him into the ranks of the politically
disaffectcd.
In other cells were women, mostly
young. 1t is, indeed. remarkable to what
extent young women have embarked in
political and revolutionary movements
in thi, country. In one of the separate
rooms appropriated to the sick | saw as
passed along the corridor, and the door
being open, the well-known lawyer
BardofEky, who had lately been arrested
on suspicion of completely with Mirsky.
He had during the preceding day or Two
manifested signs of mental arrangement.
At the time of my visit it WIS not clearly
established whether he was really insane,
but as l am informed, his insanity has
been only too certainly confirmed, and
now continues. The general infirmary
adjoining was arranged for some thirty
beds. There was not the full number OF
sick in the room. In a general day-room
| entered there were thirty con
victed prisoners assembled in readiness
to be conducted to their weekly bath.
These were without manacles of any
kind, and the Governor of the prison
freely entered with the gentleman
who accompanied me and myself
among the group of prisoners,
A warder was standing at the
iron-grated door, but without any arms;
only the sentinels in the corridors carry
muskets, and one such sentinel is pro-
vided for two corridors. All the prison
ers are allowed half an hours exercise
daily in the yard. The general prisoners
l noticed, simply stood about in groups.
The political prisoners take their exercise
in separate place, inclosed at the sides,
30 as not to allow of inter-communica-
ton. An allowance of fifty copecks a
day is given to the political prisoners,
and out of this substantial hot dinner
of soup and meat, with vegetables, is pro.
vided, which they can obtain, if desired; ;
or they can have other and better provi-
sion if they are able to pay for it. The
most noticeable proof of humane consid-
Grafton which struck me was the provi-
sion of a separate room, where ordinary
female prisoners who have young chill
dren are allowed to have them in the
prison with them. This provision was
not restricted to the case of infants, as /
saw little child of three years of age
here with its mother, and two other
women who were occupying the same
room. As in other prisons, the best con-
Quoted women were employed in the laun-
dry, or in other useful and necessary do
mestic work, for which they receive some
slight payment l did not see any penal
work being performed.
PARIS IN the SNOW.