Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-03-14
THE COUNTY PRISON.
Detailed Account of the Conduct
OF the Institution, the Prisoners,
and the Mode of life Thereiu.

oua P"oiishou w uutbiuo parties cOn-
cerning this prison and its inmates, yet
most Of the accounts given have thrown
but little light upon the real mode OF life
and the general treatment Of the conyicts
confined in this place.
When persons enter the jail with a
view of inquiring into the welfare Of tho
prisoners, whether to satisfy personal or
public curiosity, they invariably come to
the conclusion that they have acquired o
full and correct version OF the same from
an interview with few OF the most
prominent prisoners upon the lower
floor. But suoh is not the case. These
long term prisoners naturally make matters
appear as iayorably TO their future welfare
AZ possible, while the short term men
have no fear of making their brief terms
more irk5ome by any statement they
might give to the public.
There are stereotyped rules in vogue
In the institution that have governed it
from its infancy, and ttey are in general
sense rigidly observed up to the present
day. There are also many rules and reeu-
lations in the government of the place
that might be consistently and adyan-
tageously emended.
The quality and quantity OF the food
furnished the prisoners has been the
same for at least two decades past, and
general information confirms the belief
that there has been no change in this di-
reotion from the birth OF the prison. Each
succeeding sheriff Is governed in this re-
spect by the experience and management
of his predecessor.
The chief punishment and source of
complaint Of the prisoners ia from this
point. The amount OF the rations issued
daily to each prisoner is enough to sus.
tain life and health, yet IL is far from be-
ing sufficient to allay the hunger of an
ordinary eater. II is very frequently the
case that prisoner receives donations Of
edibles from friends outeide, and when
there are three or four In cell, and two
of the number are thus fortunate, the en-
tire number are relieved from this terri
Bile annoyance. Bat when prisoner has
to depend upon his own resources, and
is without money, the ordeal iB indeed
severe.
The lower floor, where all the long
term prisoners are kept, are more fortu,
nate in this respect than the occupants
of the upper floor. Visitors invariably
relieve themselves OF all they have to
give before they reach the second floor,
and they very rarely come upstairs at all.
Tobacco is the great source of both
contention and oontentment, as the case
may be. When the prisoners in cell
have been deprived OF this stimulating
weed for brief period, as is often the
case, they could be very appropriately
compared to cage OF wild animals in q
menagerie = swapping and snarling at
themselves and everyone else until the
desired article is obtained, and then all
is merriment and good humor again for o
time.
have frequently seen temporary pris-
oners here sell their clothes and even
their bread and meat for tobacco, and be
hungry themselves at the time, but prefer
hunger TO the deprivation Of tobacco. A
place Of this kind is surely the place to
give prominence to the propensities of
nature In this respect, as mnn's disposi-
ton will assert itself in spite of him.
Some have considerable forbeeranoe,
while others are the reverse to extremes.
Medical attendance, medicine, soap,
salt and threadfor sewing purposesa are all
plentifully furnished to the whole prison
alike aud comfortable clothing is FUR.
nished to the prisoners convicted by the
county court. Court prisoners are fur
nished with beds and blankets, while the
city court prisoners have to content them
selves without this luxury.
In regard to the general discipline Of
the institution, the unanimous verdict of
the prisoners is, that 1t is liberal in the
extreme. The only restraint 10 being
shut out from the outside by the outer
doors, as man serving q term of more
than three months is allowed the freedom
of the building certain days Of the week
for exercise, and the restrictions when
locked in the cell are very light, the
outer or wooden door being aways open,
allowing view of what is going on in
the building and the privilege Of conver-
sation between the cells as long as proper
Judgment IL used in observing the rules.
The ideas expressed by an old veteran in
prison experience, now confined here,
more fully explains itthan more minute
account could do. In recent conveisa-
tion he told me that he "would rather
serve term in here than any prison he
ever heard OF II he had few dollars.
He said it was mo prison at all if a man
was furnished with enough to eat"
Ths runners come around to each cell
twice week to see what is wanted from
the store outside, and II you are for.
tunate enough TO have money yeu can
act whatever is desired. Tohacco, kero
aene oil and matches, are sold within the
jail, and quito a revenue arises there
from. About the substance of the matter
is: II man has moderate supply Of
money no can live in ease aud comfort
here, provided he hes no especial care for
outside parties.
The dhy warden, James Toner, Is much
respected and we'll thought OF by the
prisoners generally. While no IL a strict
disciplinarian, he evinaes felloS-feeline
and desire to alleviate as much as possible
the hardships of those 10 his keeping,
He performs his duty with an urhane aud
RentIenAnly dignity that st once CON.
mands and receives the admiration and
respect of sll with whom he comes in
contact.
a paragraph relating TO Night Warden
Smith Ia omitted
The chief of the runners in the corridor
is Lewis Davis. Lew" is much liked by
all, apparently doing all he can to satisfy
and accommodate those with whom he
has dealings. He is continually on tho
TO, having the wants Of the entire prison
to attend to, which he does with good
will and evident satisfaction. he assists
the day warden by locking up, unlocking
and transferring prisoners from one cell
to another, and is valuable adjunct to
the institution in various ways.
The next in order is William F.Wiilipg. |
undergoing . sentence of one year for
assault with intent to kill. Bill is in
constant demand all along the line. He 10
the chief cook, and caters to the tastes
of the most fastidious with the patience
and grace of French chef. His manage.
ment OF this department is deserving of |
much praise, as it would require much
experience to satisfy the cccentricities |