The Portland daily press., 1889-01-16
The Massachusetts Reformatory for
To the Editor of the Press.

women.
| To the Editor of the Press:
| 1t has beef my recent privilege to visit
this institution, and in view of the bill pre-
sented to our Maine legislature asking an
appropriation for a similar object / seek
through your columns to present something
of its successful history and present manage
| ment.
| For eleven years this model institution has
been solving some Of the gravest social and
economic questions with which every COM
monweath is called to deal, while combining
deserved punishment with opportunity to re-
| form for its hapless inmates whom vicious
heritage and criminal associations have
brought within its walls. l found there
about $50 women committed for every de-
| gree Of crime from stnbborness to man
slaughter, with ages varying from young
| womanhoOd to three score years and ten, all
under the same benefcent sway and wise
discipline.
The criminals are divided into four divis-
ions. They are put into the second upon
their entrance and graded up or down ac-
cording to their department. The upward
tendency OF these Door victims of passion
and transgression is shown in the fact that
only seven are in the first division Those in
the fourth division whose conduct does not
require correction wear badges, and nearly
all of that division wear that mark of obedi-
ence and distinction. "a
While all grades Of criminals are associa-
ted together in the employments of the in
stitution, they are not allowed to speak to
one another excepting during the half hour
of recreation every day at noon and are con-
tinually under the vigilant eyes of the ma
irons. never being left to themselves, except
ing when alone for the night in their indi-
| vidual cells, or rather rooms, which are
bright and cheerful. with polished floors and
| all necessary furniture. and withal a tidy
homelike air that must be enjoyed il not
fully appreciated by the poor homeless out
cast
A part of each day Is devoted to study by
those who cannot read and write, and they
eagerly receive instructions given. The
greater part of these W lmen when sentenced
are so Ignorant and degraded that they have
no honest means of earning living. But
while imprisoned they are so instructed in
useful Industries that to my query, "Can you
find places for the women when their SEN
tences have explred?" the superintendent
their services than we have women to FILL"
Were these depraved and ignorant women
at liberty in society, after meeting the de-
mands OF Itheir offences where they
were punished, but not reformed, they
would repeat and multiply their iniqnities,
but under the discipline and instruction of
this institution they develop self-control and
noble purpose, and many go forth to honor
able and useful lives.
Thirty-seven per cent Of the inmates are
from Boston and about one-third of the re-
mainder from Lowell and Lawrence show
ing that the Massachusetts legislature Is not
blinded by the misconception that the care
and support of this class is local consider.
alton. This very class of women when ae
liberty are on the alert to entrap and betray
the youths of both sexes who come to cities
from country homes
No woman is received for less than a year
many remain several, and the wisdom of
long sentences, II any permanent reform is
to be accomplished, is emphasized in the
fact that OF the few who return for second
offence 1t is usually those who had short
sentences the first time. Moreover if their
conduct is such as to warrant it, they 90 out
on permit to some place Of employment, SO
that their confinement in the prison
is gagged, not by the length of
their sentences but by the neces-
stiles OF their ceses. The legislature
approaching the fact that this class of per,
sons cost the State much less within such an
Institution than when at large, annually
make generous response to tho appropria-
lions asked for its support.
And will not the Maine Legislature like
wise respond to the emphatic need, in view
OF the fact that one hundred and ninety
women we're incarcerated In our county jails
last year, and many more are at large CON-
hitting crimes that endanger the welfare Of
society,"
Shall not such provision be made for
them as will give them the greatest chance
possible to repair their own depraved moral
nature, and the least chance possible to CON
taminate others. ELIZABETH U. YATES.
Round Pond, Me.