The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-11-21
DAILY PRISON ROUTINE.

First bell 6:15 a. IN. Its meaning is to
''ariSe from thy COUCH" etc. Breakfast is
served at $3.50. The first bell for 1.-The
marshalling of forces" strikes at 7:2O, one
tap. and those who are DESIGNATED to leave
their cells at the first tap pass from their
cells WI th their breakfast dish and night
pail; first to the south door of the cell
house. where the pail is taken by man
standing at the door. and passed along a
line of men stationed at arms length. un-
til it is emptied into the bin communicating
with the sewer. After the pail has passed
by each one coming from his cell to the
carrier ine," the breakfast dish is taken
by the meSS-rOOm force. who stand near
with tubs in which to throw scraps and
racks on which to place the dishes.
After dlspOsing Of pail and dish. which
is done with scarcely halt in the line
each inmate takes his place in the line or
returns to his cell. or goes to his duties
whatever they may be. This is kept up
until all the inmates who work nave been
called from their cells. then the men i'll line
march to their work. Some to the eXcava-
ton at the north and west sides of the
yard some outside the walls to dispose OF
Fifteen minutes before noon the men be-
gin to come III, in lines two abreast, and by
twelve all are again in their cells. AS they
come into the cell building each one is given
his dinner which he carries to HIS cell and
eats at will. The dinner is served in a till
dish of three compartments Each inmate
is provided in his cell with knife and fork,
spoon, salt and pepper, and mUlaSSeS.
After dinner the same process follows as
described in the foregoing after breakfast.
except that the force of labOrers alternate.
Those VINO worked in the forenoon 60 back
to their cells after carrying their dishes
down, while those who remained in their
cells in the forenoon take Their places in
line and march to their places of labor. All
marching is done in lines of two abreast.
The lock-step was long since abandoned.
At half past four the men are all again in
their cells. taking their supper as at
noon. After supper the dishes are collected
on rolling rack aud returned to the kitchen
by the mess-rOOm force. Here they are
washed and arranged for breakfast. Coffee
is served at the door of each cell with
breakfast, and tea with supper.
From five until nine in the evening the
electric lights are burned and those who
read pass their time as pleasantly as though
prison was unknown to them. AT nine
the bell taps ''all abed," and soon the
night guards have tried each door. the
electric light is eXtinguished, and darkness
settles down upon the cares and SORROWS of
a little community of erring humanity. The
cat like tread of the night guards upon the
creaking iron slabs of the galleries. sigh.
cough. grOan from restless sleeper
upon conscience'S bed of thOrns. a yell
from victim of bad dreams in which he
sees all the terrors of Satan's abode. are all
that disturb the stiffness of night i'm the
city of the sOcallydead. Soon all other
day dawns with its duties, its tasks and it's
slow moving hours. but it, too. passes and
is only thought of as one more day nearer
liberty. one day nearer death to the free
man. one day nearer life to the prisoner.