Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-13
GRADES OF CONV|CTS,
A Novel System Of Honors for Peni-
tertiary Inmates 10 be Intro
duced at Riverside
WHEN TIE ANNEX is FINISHED.
The Hated Striped Suits to be Replaced
By Clothes Of o Little Less Loud
and Candy Pattern.
WHEN TIE ANNEX is FINISHED,
ALL WHO BEHAVE TO BE REWARDED.
Details Of the Life Of Convict as Seen in an AfIsl
moons Visit.

The new south wing OF the Western Peni-
tentiary, that has been building for SO many
years, is rapidly nearing completion, and
when finished, will contain 500 cells, each
feet wide by feet long, which the institu-
tion is sadly in need of TO relieve the
crowded condition of the north wing. Its
completion will be hailed with joy by the
poor fellows confined behind the bars, not
only on account of the thinning out of the
ranks the additional cells will allow, and
the increased comfort gained thereby, but
because a system of classification will 60
into effect with the opening of the new part.
The Board of Directors adopted at the last
meeting the following resolution:
WHEREAS, The new South wing Of the prison
is approaching completion. and when COM
pleted will afford the board the opportunity it
has long desired of introducing proper system
of classification of the prisoners and believing
that such system will conduce to the main-
tenance Of discipline and encourage the
prisoner to prepare himself for citizenship
when released; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the system of classification
now in operation at the Pennsylvania Indus
trial Reformatory be introduced, as far as prac-
ticable with existing laws governing this insti-
tution.
THE SYSTEM OF GRADING.
BY this system the prisoners will be
graded into the First or Honor grade Sec
ond and Third, according to their conduct
and behavior.
The new wing will be occupied by the
Honor grade, and the cells will be q trife
more comfortable. the furniture Ia them be.
log just grade better than In the cells Of
NHe aIleF FFadSs 4b. kaI "A salia
larger the mirror not quite 30 crooked. A
she'll Tor books and photographs will be
placed over the head OF the bed and O tiny
wardrobe for the clothing will be added.
But all these sink Into insignileanes In the
mind Of the prisoner. In comparison with
the fact that plain gray clothing will be
worn instead Of the regulation stripes.
Many privileges will DO given the Honor
grade denied the others.
When the annex IL finished all prisoners
who have been In the institution six months,
and during that time have obeyed all exist
lug rules and regulations will be oonsid-
cred ~ entitled 10 enter the first, or Honor,
grade, aud as rapidly as cells are fitted In
the new wing, they will be transferred 10
them. After that time all who enter the
prison will be placed In the second, or in
termediate, grade, and will occupy the small
cells Of the north wing, and by diligence at
labor, good personal conduct and progress
IN education may reach the first grade at
the expiration OF six months or, on the con-
trary, by bad conduct be placed in the third
grade, In which they will have fewer priv
ileges, and where they must remain six
months before getting into the second grade
again.
DISTINCTION IN DRESS.
The black-and-gray striped clothing now
in vogue will be worn by the second grade,
and some equally distinctive dress will be
given the third grade.
Marks, given by the officers under whom
the prisoners work, and by whom they are
guarded, will determine their grade. They
will be pink, yellow and blue. The
pink mark will be for neglect
OF duty, such as arms not prop
erly folded, bed not properly made,
clothing not in proper order, and like fail
ings, and it will require six of the pink to
make one OF the blue. The yellow marks
Will be given for derelictions such as talk
ing when prohibited, communicating by
signs, wasting food, destroying clothing,
and playing tricks on other prisoners, three
OF which will equal one blue mark, and in
science, profanity, vulgarity, laziness, fight
ing, assaulting an officer or instructor,
threatening an officer or instructor, and
general crookedness will any of them con-
stitute sufficient cause for the blue mark.
These ofenses will all be investigated in the
presence of the officer who makes the charge,
and the accused prisoner, by the Warden,
who will have authority to sustain the
charges, if warranted in SO doing, or blotting
them out If the previous good behavior Of
the prisoner justifes him in so doing.
AN INCENTIVE TO BEHAVE.
As no commutation on time will be al
loved in any but the Honor grade, the in
centive to enter and remain in that grade
will be great, but when in that grade, even
If within a week of release by commutation,
grave charges should be made and sustained
against a prisoner, he will be forced to 90 to
third grade and forfeit the communication al
ready gained, aud perhaps serve his full
torn before again having chance to reap the
benefits OF communication in the Honor grade.
Warden Wright is of the opinion that all
the cells in-the new wing will be filled, and
q great many will have to await their turn,
as prisoners are released or fall from grace
before cells can be given them, so many are
the inducements to work for place in that
department, but those who are in the second
grade, and entitled to a cell in the first, will
be given some sort of badge to wear while
awaiting a vacancy that will denote them
honor grade prisoners,