The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-11-28

All prisoners are sentenced for definite
period OF years, but may be released at any
time when the board of pardOns SO decide.
The indeterminate sentence does not prevail
nor do l believe it ever will. The board
supplies all call for an indeterminate SEN
tence and the BertillOn system makes iden-
THY certain in professional criminal. and
it is made so sultry for him that he is usu-
ally very ready to accept an honorable posi-
ton at the expiration of his sentence. and
even the professional often receives the ben
eft of the boards action and fills with credit
the position secured for him.
One very cOmmendable feature of the
prison, and one which struck me as one of
the most sensible from every point of view.
is regularly organized school COM
prising the whole prison. The better edu-
Gated of the prisoners are teacher, and the
others are pupils. organized in regular
classes. and graded by a simple but effective
marking system. The Chaplains are the
superintendent of the school, and they
together with the Warden and Deputy ap-
point the teachers. There is a reading
room in which all the inmates of the first
class may congregate in the evenings and
on Sabbath afternoons and read the daily
papers and leading magazines. when not
employed in the school. Glasses are SO ar
ranged that each inmate of the first class.
(this class is made up of all degrees of edu-
cation, the requirements for admission be-
ing manly, straightforward cOnduct can
spend at least three evenings a week in the
reading room. Those of the other classes
spend their time in study or as they think
best, when not in school, but with few ex-
ceptonS, the one object sought is to gain ad-
mission to the privileged class, for admiS-
sion to it means probable consideration by
the board Of pardOns, better clothes, better
food, and numerous privileges. What fall
lacy that was which so long held sway in
the prisons, when all men were supposed to
be treated alike. How much better it would
have been if they had said: ''We will treat
you as you deserve to be treated-as your
be made between servile. action. and true
manly conduct.
Another change l will mention is the
guards and their treatment. They, too. are
graded and receive salaries from one thous-
and to two thousand year and board them
selves. By this means they can afford to
be thoroughly interested in their work.
knowing that the eyes of the Warden and
the members of the board of pardons are
always upon them.
And now Dan, l must close my letter
and go down to the prison, as l want to see
the men come in from the shops and have
but thirty minutes to make the trip in.
When you write me let it be such letter as
can be published in THE PRISON MIRROR.
The paper has improved wonderfully, and
is now an eight-page journal with circula-
ton Of five thousand. Ithas a regular cor
respondent in almost every prison of the
country and gives brief summary of the
plloOll HC"S tHC COuHpIJ' LII
THE MIRROR office all the work is done by
the inmates and they have a press, and a
full-fledged printing outfit.
But must ''fy," 50 good bye until can
hear from you. Your friend,
OBSERVER.
Saltwater, Mimi, Aug. 10, 1898.