Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-17
Its Model Penitentiary Has Some
Good Points and Some Bad.
AWFUL SOLITARY CONFINEMENT.
Victims Known to Be Dead Only When
Their Food Is Untouched.
CONFESSIONS BY MEANS OF TORTURE

penltentlary. 1t is an enormous struc-
ture of red brick a rare building material
in these parts, the houses being universally
of stone or adobe, covered with grayish
plaster, surrounded by a massive wall of the
same on top of which soldiers are continu-
ally pacing to and fro The visitor hardly
knows whether to be most impressed by the
immensity of the concern, it being nearly
large enough to hold the entire population,
its scrupulous cleanliness, or the dead ST.
lence that prevails, as unbroken as if there
were not living creature within hund red
miles, though at present there are about
1900 human beings inside the walls.
As our little party filed in, between a
double row of glittering bayonets, and the
great iron gates, closing with a crash of
bolts and bars, shut US in among oe
criminals, the usual stale jokes common to
such occasions were exchanged. First we
were conducted into large, well-furnished
reception room, lined on all sides, from
floor to ceiling, with thousands of photo
graphs Every prisoner must have his
picture taken on entering this place, and
again when he leaves; and these are put in
cases on the walls, each labeled with its
number. During his prison life, the con-
vict is known by that number only, and
never hears his name.
Poverty Led to Awful Suffering.
Gazing around this rogues' gallery, my at |
tention was attracted by two fresh and hand |
some young faces, evidently those of hus |
band and wife, and asked the superintend- |
ent who they were. Taking down one of
tine big books, he ran his finger down the
pages till the number on the photograph was
reached. ooh yes," he continued, 'this
case, l remember, was rather Interesting
one They were newly married, down In
Valdivia; a couple who stood high socially,
and of whom everybody thought well.
Want of money was their undoing. For a
small amount of it the husband murdered an
aged relative, and the wife assisted in hiding
the corpse. They had funds enough to fight
the law in all the courts, but after repeated
trials he was sentenced to be shot, she to be
compelled to witness her husbands execu-
tion, and then to remain in prison ten years
longer"
The sentenne was carried into effect, and
the story may be clearly read in the photo
graphs. Next to the youthful couple is a
picture of the criminal taken on the day of
his execution, the wild eyes and haggard
face showing that he realized his doom; and
beyond that is the fiaae of the widow, 10
years later, prematurely-old woman, with
the expression of one who has nothing to
hope for.
The Face Is Not an Index.
Another face was that of an innocent
looking, ight-hearted schoolboy, apparent
ly not more than II years old. Certainly
this was never a criminal?" said L
"He was one of the worst ever knew"
replied the superintendent 'In a fit of
rage he beat his fathers brains out, because 9
the latter refused to let him ride a faYorite
mare; and then deliberately murdered his
mother, because she knew of the facts and
might tell them. He was condemned to be
shot, seven years ago."
Truly, this gruesome art-gallery upsets
ones ideas about the face being an index of
character, eyes the windows of the soul, and
all that sort of thing, for the most hardened
wretches of the lot wear looks of baby inno-
cence! There are a great many women in
the collection, and we are told that the So
called 'tgentler'' sex of South America COM
nit large proportion of the MURDERS
jealousy being the moving cause.
Then We went to the workshops; through
huge iron gates with ponderous locks and
bars, each guarded by soldiers with loaded
muskets. There seems to be no possible
chance for escape, and the superintendent
said that during the II years he has been
here not single attempt has been made. In
the shops everybody was working silently
and steadily, his eyes bent upon his work,
not q whisper being permitted or a mo-
we entered, at a signal from the overseer of
each department, every man made mill
tary salute and remained standing until per-
mission was given to resume work.
A Cord Thing to Go to Prison.
Certain it is that if the majority of
Chilean rotos, (the word literally trans
lated meaning "ragged people," here used
TO designate the poorer class), were con-
fined for a term of years in the Santiago
Penitentiary, their condition would be
vastly bettered They would be sure of
shelter, sufficient food and clothes enough
to cover their nakedneSs-very uncertain
blessings in their present state; besides
being compelled to keep tolerably clean for
the first time in their lives, and made to
work al something useful. All are obliged
to learn Notwithstanding carpenter
ing, shoemallng, etc. There is a school,
also, where even the oldest and most densely
ignorant are taught TO read and write; and
q chapel where all receive religious in
struction.
Nor is this all. Those who never in their
palmiest days of freedom possessed a
dollar that they did not steal, may actually
haYe money laid up, with which to begin
life anew. Good conduct does not count
here toward shortening ones term, but ex-
ira diligence in well-doing is paid for, in |
money. The men are kept steadily at work;
but by exerting themselves they may /
easily accomplish much more than the
amount required, and for every extra bit
they are fairly paid. In the shoe depart
ment, for example: The contractors, who
pay the Government so much per annum for l.
working the prisoners, encourage the men
10 their best efforts by keeping a careful ac-
count of exactly how much each accom-
plishes every day. A stipulated sum is paid
for so much work; and if a man doubles or
trebles the amount, as many do, it is so
much the better for all concerned. A work.
man easily makes from 20 to 80 cents day,
and the amount is charged to his credit.
The money is not put in his hand, but a
ticket representing that sum.
Prisoners May BE Fined.
If he fails to do reasonable amount, or
'poils material purposely or through care
essness, something is deducted from the
money he has already earned or lie may be
otherwise punished. Though strongly ad-
7ised to hoard his funds until the DAY of re-
ease, he may spend it if he likes. The reg
liar prison food is better and NOR. abund-
mt than most of them have bee accustomed \
% outside; but on certain days market peo- ]
)le are allowed to come in and sell tobacco, |
ruit, dulces, etc., and there is no law to
prevent the. men from spending all they
arm in this way.
Once in three months.each prisoner may
AVE visitors, and then his relatives and
riends, if he has any, flock to see him.
dany of them are glad to have saved up