The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-02-07

became reality through the noted Michael
Dunn who had spent thirty five years be-
hind the bars in New York, and as an Eng
lish prisoner in Van Dieman's Land but
whose reformed and true life for the past
nine years is beautiful proof that there is
hope for all.
There are but three similar "Home," in
the United States. These he established in
San Francisco. Chicago and New York. al
though he ha, recently gone to Philadelphia a
to open one there. leaving this one in
charge of an efficient superintendent (nOt All
eX prlSOner) whose wife makes the place as
hOmelike as possible. added to the presence
OF Mrs. D'Arcambal who spends her time
between the prisons and the Home" The
industry adopted at the Home is tie
manufacture of brOOms, and all men re-
celved are at once set to work turning out
a dozen or more blUOmS day. Working
hours are from A. NJ. till p. NJ. with an
hour for noon; though on Saturdays the work
stops at $3.50 p. NJ. The doors are closed at
9 P. NJ. but a half day is given them every
now ami then to look for work. Since it's
establishment fifty men have found refuge
there, many OF whom found employment
elsewhere, and some returned to their fami
lies.
AZ llc tlIuc vi OuI VlSlG tucIC Oil CIlTlSc
mas, there were twelve men there, all of
whom seemed to fully appreciate the efforts
of Mrs. D'Arcambal. (whOm they reverently
call Our Mother" to give them happy
day. Not being state institution, and not
Yet being self supporting. it largely depends
upon its friends for donations of provisions,
fuel and clothing. But from the bOuntifuI
dinner of turkeys. vegetables, cranberry
sauce and plum pudding sent in for that
day, one would judge its friends were loyal.
The every day bill of fare is plain. substan-
tial food. well cooked; and their single cots
are as neat and comfortable as any could
wish. They have a beginning of a library.
and all organ both down and up stairs to
furnish diversion. A writing teacher was
expected from the city, and evening classes
are to be conducted by some of their num-
Der, for there are always we'll educated men
among them. Twice dav they gather
with Bibles and singing books for morning
and evening devOtions. and on Sunday af-
ternOOnS services are held to which others
are invited.
At present not only Michigan prisoners
are received. but those from other states
and countries, provided they are willing to
reform and there is work for them. A pri-
vate record is kept of all, which is accessible
to none but the superintendent and the men
themselves, giving brief history of their
lives. the prison from which discharged,
and the crime for which they were sen
fenced. Every effort is made To secure the
secrecy of the history of the men, in order
to Obviate the intense prejudice existing
against eX- cOnvictS to their exclusion from
the ranks of w0rkingmen; those who will
hire a known eX-cOnvict being extremely
few, and then only when they have ex-
hauSted search elsewhere. Mrs. D'Arcam-
balls latest plan in their behalf is all effort
to secure through the present legislature
an appropriation with which to purchase
farm where work can be given to those
whose health and broken down condition.
cannot endure the confinement of indoor
employment.
Would that every state would realize that
prisoners are human beingS-simply part
of the world around them, and the majority
of them no worse than the same number
met daily on our streets. but whose villain
les have been covered up by weighty
pOcket-bOOk or some trick of the law. Yet
society smiles upon them. and fOrgets that
SIN is SIN whether abiding within stone
walls or in mansion. But the Peninsular
State believes in the protection of society,
and that the only sure way, is the refOrma-
ton of the criminal. In that direction she
takes the lead of all other states-nOt eX-
ceptng the Elmira refOrmatOry; and most
likely the parole system and the indeter-
inmate sentence will pass the legislature
this winter. OF the jackson prison and it's
humane methods we would speak with
pleasure, but not to-day.
- -, WHITE RIBBON.