The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-02-28
The Kentucky Penitentiary.

The Kentucky Penitentiary.
We havereceived the annual report of the
directors of the Kentucky Penitentiary land
read it with more than usual care for two
reasons: First, because we had just seen an
article on the subject in the Feb'y Century,
by Mr.. Geo. w. Cable, and second because
the lessees are Virginians, in fact Augusta
County men,-the well-known contracting
firm of G. r. Mason Sc Co. Mr.. Cables
article discusses the condition of and gen.
eral system which obtained in the Ken
lucky penitentiary prior to January 1st,
1882. The picture he draws is anything
but inviting. 1t is revolving. The state
ments it contains read more like the ac-
counts of the inquisition of a hundred
years ago than faithful presentation of
the condition of asupposed reformatory in
stitution in this age of humanity and CIV
ilization.
Son the first of January" (1SS1), writes
Mr.. Cable, 1880 men were working in the
hemp department without ventilation OF
bath and, says the warden, lin dust SO
dense that it is frequently impossible to
recognize man twenty feet distant. 1t
is certainly an act of common humanity
that the evil created should be counter
acted ygood and ample bathing facilities. ;
In the hospital, as a fit adjunct to this
hemp department, there were in 1881, IA
cases of infamed eyes and 202 of acute
bronchitis. Asa result of badly cooked
food, there were III cases of acute disease
of the bowels and impoverishment of
blood. In year and half five men pur-
posely mutilated their hands so as to COM
pei the amputation of fingers, and two
others cut off each a hand at the wrist.
1t is pleasant to turn from this picture
tothe report of the Directors dated Jan'y.
LIST, 1884. In that report it is stated that
the general condition of the prison has
been bettered and improved. Indeed, we
believe, say the Directors, shat it will
compare favorably with any similar insti-
tuition in the country so far as concerns
the health and well-being, and the dis
cipline and contentedness of the prison
ers.n The premises seem to have been
well drained and renovated, the cells cleaned
and ventilated, and the comfort and health
Of the inmates generally provided for. The
penitentiary was leased to c. R. Mason &
Co., in October, 1882, and these improve
ments were shortly after begun. From
the commencement of the present. con-
tract says the report, sail has gone on
smoothly and pleasantly. The contractors
have been contented with the labor fur
nished them, which has been accomplished
without any severity toward the prisoners.
They have promptly. paid their rental reg
ularly at the end of each quarter. This is
in marked contrast with the condition of
things two years ago, when men were mu-
tilating themselves cutting off their fingers,
and even the whole hand, to avoid the
tasks imposed upon them under contract
from which the State has not yet received
more than triding installment upon the
amount contracted for.''
Notwithstanding the improvement made
and the benefits which have followed to
the prisoners, notwithstanding that tasks
have been lightened, work made more
pleasant, and the comfort and welfare of
the inmates in every way increased, the
institution for the first time in it's history
is made self-sustaining. Not only that,
but a clear revenue of from $40 900 to $12,-
600 is derivedsfrom it. Indeed, the intel
ligent. humane work of Messrs. Mason &
Co. seems to have wrought most re-
markable change in the institution in all
respects. Not only have the improve
ments mentioned been consummated, but
the physicians report bears added testi-
mony, in comparison with those Of pre-
vious years, to the good effects of whole
some diet in lessening the sick roll. Nor
has the moral part been neglected. Instead
of occasional religious instruction as for
merly, a chaplain who devotes his entire
time to religious work within the walls of
the prison, has been employed, and let us
hope thatshis labors have not been alto
gether fruitless, even tho the field be I'M
promising.
The warden's report bears out those of
the other officials as to the improvements
made and the encouraging outlook. In
speaking of the lessees the warden says i:
''Col. G. E. Hoge, themanager for, and one
of the firm of G. r. Mason & Co., the les
sees, has furnished all the provisions, cloth
ing, beds, bedding, and medicines neces-
sary to the comfort and welfare of the
prisoners cheerfully, as has he furnished all
articles Mason & Co.'s contract with the
State requires them to furnish. My bust
ness intercourse with Col. Hoge has been
as pleasant and agreeable as l could de-
Sire.''
Taken altogether the State of Kentucky,
and especially her criminal classes, may
well be congratulated in having secured
the services of Messrs. Mason & Co. No
men are better qualified for such work.
They blend a humane consideration for
the workmen, with thorough system of
operation, and are thus enabled to secure
the best results. They deserve the fullest
measure of success, and we trust are real
izing it. Those who know the gentlemen
who compose the firm as well as we do,
would be surprised at any other report
than the most favorable. They are but
sustaining the reputation gained by long
years of convict labor contracting, in CIV
ing to Kentucky the most humane and
profitable system she has ever had.
Messrs. Mayo and Wise made brief and
excellent speeches in Congress on the
25th, defending Virginia from the assaults
Of outside Bourbons. We are pleased to
see the Virginia members striking back
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