Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-07
THE MARYLAND HOUSE OF COR
KEEE1ON.

A Description of Bridewen Prison.
IT'S WHOLESOME EFFECT UPON TRAMPs - THE
WORK DONE By THE CONFICTs--A ROMANCE
In THE CELLS RELIGIOUS SERVICES ON THE
SABBATH -OyERCROwDED PRISONS. ETC.
About twenty-three miles from Washington,
on the Baltimore 4 Ohio railroad. the passen-
gers catch IA view OF massive brick building.
having somewhat the aspect OF prison house,
which is situated probably eco yards from the
road on q slight elevation. Nearly every traveller
inquiries what place II Is. and the reply is given
briefly: That is Bride |el-a house OfcOrrectiOn
established by the state" Those who are aware
that there is state penitPntiary in Baltimore.
as well a house of refuge for boys and at
Cheltenham a house of reformation for colored
boys, are at a loss TO know the utility of Bride
well When. however, one reflects on the fact
that from about the close of the war to within a
few years ago the state was Oyerrun by trampS
both white and cOiOred, and that the peniten-
tiary in Baltimore city was becoming uncOm-
fortably full, and that for ofanses for which the
punishment is Imprisonment in Jail the prison.
ers cannot be worked 10 advantage, the wisdom
Of creating 'BrideweiT sapparent.
THE DECIMATION OF TRAMPs.
Already has its benefits been made apparent
BY the rapid diminui0n OF the genus tramp"
IN the state. Under the law, this is the place
for the confinement and labor of the lower grade
of criminals, and most of the inmates are those
I'm whose eases the punishment is from 80 days
to three years. By sending here prisoners, who
would otherwise go to the pententiary
for less than term of three years,
the evercrewded Pententiary Is relieved.
Taose whose punishment would otherwise
be in jail. at least earn sufficient to support
themselves As is the case in all prisons there
are some who enjoy life here better than out
side a. IL shown in the fact that few since 1t
was opened on January 1st, 1879. have served
several terms Some on being released have
promised to return iii few DAYS and have
Faithfully kept their promises Usually those
have returned with longer terms to serve than
at first.
The building is now full. having 81 prisoners
more than there are celiS-the surplus being To-
Gated in the larger apartments at the end of the
cells intended originally for hospital purposes.
1t is likely That authority for the erection of an
additional wing contemplated in the original
pfans) viii be asked from the legislature. There
are four floors OF cells reached by iron stair
xays-60 on each floor 80 side. In each
cell rs the cot OF the occupant hinged so that it
can be thrown up against the wall small semi
circular shelf hinged in the same manner
and also a stool In some of the cells the walls
have been decorated with pictures and draperies
of cut paper. Some of the work shows great
taste. but it does not approach similar work in
the Washington jail The prisoners wear a
and are locked in when not at work or attending
religious service.
HOW THE CONvICrs ARE EMPLOYED
Eighty to one hundred OF the men and
boys are making Oyerails, using sewing
machines for the work-the task of eacn in
his 10 hours in summer and hours in winter
being Is pairs per day; 20 men are employed in
grading for a switch to the railroad; 6 regular
hands work on the farm, with such others as
may be required Is women find work in the
kitchen and laundry. and A. women in working
buttOnholes in the Overalls, &c. Most Of the
prisoners are serving sentences for assaults and
larcenieS Generally an old stager can be told
by his prompt answer when asked what are
You in fors' Larceny" while others will use
the prefix - 'cused'
The women are nearly all cOiored and at
present nil up ali the cells allotted to them,
which are located on the I'd and Sd floors. right
side There are now 20 WashingtOnians among
the female conGlcts- One of the men, Sam
Butler, is from the west end Of this city and is
In for stealing The men fill up the remaining
1O cells. and 81 are confined in the large rooms
q: the end OF the tiers of cells.
CUPID IN THE CELLS.
Although the two sexes are kept entirely
apart. seldom seeing each other except In at
tending service; Cupid is not idle even within
prison walls. There are more cases than one
where the tender passion has been evolved in
the hard and stony hearts of prisoners 1t wa:
IN this place where woman well known In
this city a few years ago by the name of ''MolIie
johnson" and in Baltimore as Irish Moll
found her destiny, having been sen
fenced here for years term, which
she served Out like q man" During her in.
carcerat on she became smitten with the charms
Of u convict from Hartford county wearing the
stripes Both being released on the same day
they went INTO Baltimore on the same train. the
mOmentous question was asked the ex-con.
nv nd
the knot was tied in Baltimore They have no,
returned since to the prison. but reports have
reached the officers that, excepting now and
then the couple engage in little spree they
are perfectly happy. and the old love kinhled at
BrdeWell is still burning.
c0iored couple. man and wife, from Tonnes
see-he an ftinerant musician and she a street
singer-are here as tranps. and on Sundays are
allowed To have a short interview which affords
pleasant relief to their dreary prison life.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Religious worship is held In the chapel room
tae Catholics and Methodists alternating Sun.
day afternoons in holding services Numbers
Of visitors attend these services and at times
they ere very impressive, the singing of the col
ored convicts being grand. the prisoners seated
with The officers watching over them generally
paying respectful attention. In addition on
Sundays. religious papers and books from a lib
rary a-c furnished the prisoners and MANY 81
them pass the most o.! SUNDAY reading mr. writ
ing to their friends
The building Is heated by steam. and tn,
Wasnns l. done by steam, 2f-h orse power an
CINE benz employed. Although as vet tn,
farm is not worked a. II will be- yet Il Yields ,
considerable income in the way of vegetables
and &c officers have no ear on. that Ii will soo
DC Sells Exporting. The Brldewell IL officcre,
now rs follows; F. J. Wl.reier superintendent
j. L. Ma! field. steward AID acting assistu1
superintendent. J. Van Ter clerk: Mrs Mar
Erooks, matron. Robert Hamill, night watch j
w William 5. hall officer: W. News c. p ca.
roll. L. +. Fitzgerald J. Fell, s. s. Mills, Jac
Colbarn, aad \. l. Harmon. guards.