Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-12
PUNISHMENT OF BAD SOLDIERS.
Capt. Pope on the Treatment Of Inmates
of the Leavenworth Military Prison.


The report Of Capt J. w. Pope, commandant
OF the United States military prison at Fort
Leavenworth. Kan, to the adjutant general Of
the army shows that number Of valuable per-
manent improvements have been made in and
about the prison during the year. The expen-
ditures during the fiscal year of 1889 were
S79. S1s g. or S4,775. SO less than the preceding
year, leaving a balance Of S12,951. 0S on hand.
The yield Of the prison farm was very unsatis-
factory, but the present year promises the
largest crop ever produced. The health OF the
prisoners is good
SECULAR SCHOOL
was started in November, 1888, and has been
unqualifedly successful during the first six
months. Thirteen prisoners have been grad
uated and ten more will be graduated during
the ensuing quarter. Capt. Pope's report is
dated July 20) During the time that has
elapsed since the school started only thirty six
prisoners have been received who could not
pass the examination required to exempt them
from attendance. The instruction carries the
pupil through correct reading, writing aud
arithmetic. The teachers are prisoners. under
the superintendent of the prison chaplain, as
sisted by member Of the guard. 1t is believed
that all who go to the prison can be Taught
these simple elements, greatly to the benefit of
society as well as Of the individual prisoner.
during the past year, with the inevitable excep-
ton OF a few vicious and intra ctable cases. has
been good. The treatment of stimulation of
eradicated that evil, and no cases Of real in
sanity have appeared. For the first time in
twelve years no prisoners have been sent to
the insane asylum in this city. The number
sent in the last twelve years has averaged over
three and one-half year.
ISOLATION.
1t has been found that equally as good use
can be made Of the cells built for observation
and isolation in developing more humane
and a much more effective punishment than
the dark cell, which it had been necessary to
use freely. 1t is well known that a great
incentive and encouragement to bad be-
havior by the evily disposed prisoner
Is the applause and support of
his fellows. This is withdrawn as effectually in
the new cells, though light, airy and healthy,
as in the dark cells. At the same time the pris-
oner undergoing such punishment can have
no claim to be a martyr. The new punishment
has the very great advantage Of allowance of
indefinite continuance without hurt to health.
Under this system it may be said that the worst
trouble to the authorities than any others. This
punishment includes
RESTRICTED DIET,
as follows: Breakfast ounces Of hash or stew
and "a ounces bread; dinner, 8 ounces soup
and IA ounces bread; and after twenty days
continuously on this diet ounces Of bread are
allowed for supper. The punishment is in
tended to effect its aim by monotony, and
without having any element Of cruelty is
greatly dreaded by the worst of prisoners.
Three of these, who have served in states
prisons before. have applied to the War depart
ment to be transferred to penItentiary. Seven
prisoners escaped during the year; eight were
recaptured this making gain Of one. Several
of those recaptured had escaped in former
years.