Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
CAPTIVE SOLDIERS.
How They Are Punished For Desertion and Other Crimes.
A Prison With Considerable Freedom for the Prisoners.

Loavcnworth, Kan, and overlook ing the Missouri river is the United States military prison-thc bottom to which the dregs of the army settle. The law says the prison is "for the continc ment and reformation of offenders against the rulos regulations and laws for tho government of the army of the United States, in which shall be securely confined and employed at labor, and governed in the manner hereinafter di- rected, all offenders convicted before any court martial or military commits sion in the United States and sentenced according to tho law to imprisonment therein.''
 Unlike institutions of similar charac- ter, all possible liberty is allowed the convicts. The "silent system" is not in vogue except in working hours, and even then speech is allowed be- tween tho men on matters per taining to their tasks. Tho use of newspapers and books is not denied at times when prisoners are not employed and unofi- cial visitors are admitted to the prison two days week. The prisoner may communicate with his friends on the outside by letter and receive mail sub- ject to inspection by the chaplain. Once week the convicts must bathe, and they are supplied with an unlimit- cd quantity of clean clothing. This clothing is uniform of gray, the dis tinctive marks being large red num- Der placed oa the bacS.
 When convict enters the prison he is treated much ia the way usual to such institutions. His face is shaved and hair cut; he is bathed and given q number, which, while he is confined, is his only cognomen. Henceforward he is no longer Smith or Jones, but (say) "No. s6o." The prison physician then takes him in hand, and even tho most minute personalities are noted.
 Once in the prison the convict is in charge of the provost guard, a party of men assig igned by the secretary of war or enlisted under his direction, and se- lected with special eye to their fitness for the duty. Few of them are under six feet in height and a majority are men who have seen years of hard service. These are the subordinate officers, and the only ones, excepting the chaplain, surgeon and commandant. The latter is Captain James w. Pope.
 Despite the easy discipline there arc few escapes from the prison. Perhaps the law has something to do with the vigilance of the guards, as it makes the escape of the prisoner penal offenso for the guard.
 Although there arc 496 prisoners con- fined, there are but thirty-six cells, two of these being dark. These dark cells are the only punishment inflicted on the prisoners, further than the cutting off of "good time."
 New men are first placed in the cells. If, after while they merit the favor, they arc sent to the dormitories, where greater freedom is allowed them. Pris- oncrs are divided into three classes, each class being designated by distinctive badge attached to some conspicuous part of the outer garment of the prison dress. On being assigned to class the prisoner is made acquainted with the rules relating to the conduct and treat ment of prisoners. Pris oners of the third class whose conduct may warrant it are promoted after ten days to the second class. Prisoners of the first class arc those whose quiet, orderly habits and general good conduct in class second has gained them the confidence of the off, cers. Promotions are made by the com mandant.
 The dormitories differ little from the quarters of common soldiers. A row of iron cots, around which broad aisle runs, and separated from each other by space of two feet, constitutes the furniture. During the day the beds are made up. Each prisoner is allowed to keep a box, provided by himself, in which he places such mementoes from the outer world as he chooses, besides some articles of apparel other than those furnished by the prison. A grating cuts off the guard room from the sleep CTS, and at the same time furnishes an easy view of the whole sleeping room.
 During the day the prisoners are en- ployed as the commandant may elect, but the greatest number at one employ ment are in the shoe shop. This is in 8 long room in the third story of build ing two hundred feet long. There is made all the footwear for an army of fifteen thousand men. The enormous number of shoes consumed may be seen from the number made last year, when TOO pairs of boots and 65, 421 pairs ol shoes were turned out. A pair of cav airy boots costs the government about $3. 70, and a pair of brass screwed calf skin shoes $2. 72.
 Next in order comes the harness shop, where Uncle Sam's ambulances, riding saddles, wagon saddles, and incidentals are made. The tin shop turns out tin plates, cups and all the ware needed by the army, including copper boilers and kettles. It is all hand work, except power cutting and stamping machine. The broom shop manufactures these u e. full articles, and no less than 23, COG