The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-18
MAssacuusETTs PRISONS.

remarkable fact has been brought TO lieh'
bv the recent reports Of the MASSACHUSETTS
Commissioners Of Prisons namely, thatihl no
course Of the last half century the number OF
criminals in that State has increased hi'y-
fold. although the population has only treoieu'
In tho city Of Boston there Is ono prisoner "
every 222 inhabitants. and in the State at large
there il one 10 every 400, very discreditable
allowing for the Commonwealth which mas
long claimed moral pre-eminence among the
Commonwealth Of the Union and genera
civilization superior to any TO be found IN the
Western Hemisphere.
The explanation OF this increase OF crime III
the BAY State is attributed TO the substitution
of purely reformatory system IN the puDho
prisons for the former punitive treatment
These prisons disclose a condition OF AFFAIRS
that approaches nearer 20 socialism on large
scale than is observable in any free American
community. Sofar from being establishments
IN which men convicted Of crime are subject
ell according 10 the relative Nervousness OF
their acts 10 graduated punshments which are
rieidlv enforced they have become institu-
tons In which the attention OF the persons
who have them in charge IS chiefly directed
70 the moral development Of tho inmates.
These inmates IL consequence have a com
paratiyey easy time.
The prisons are in fact schools in which the
/ convicts arc we'll fed and only compelled 10
work sufficiently hard to preserve thor health
from the ills that follow idleness and lack Of
exercise. Instead of being regarded as places
10 be avoided. the classes which are naturally
disposed TO commit crimes look upon these
prisons as harbors Of refuge in which they
can lead life distinguished for much that
adds both t. the comfort and the pleasure OF
existence.
/ In communities resembling those Of Massa-
/ chusetts. in which the stress Of competition IS
/ especially heavy and in which large section
/ Of the population are sunk in hopeless power
I tv. there are thousands Of men and women
who. in order 10 escape from the terrible
| struggle 20 earn bare livelihood. will commit
serious oaenses against the law witha view TO
/ being sentenced TO the State prisons. In these
/ prisons they know that their physical welfare
/ Will bee carefully looked after 10y the State.
Food Of excellent quality will be- furnished 10
/ them. and the restraints 10 which they will be
required 10 submit will not be sufficiently
/ .rksome 10 render existence unattractiye or
4 burdensomc In the effort which the authori-
ties will make 70 reform them they will have
many opportunities Of deriving pleasure and
amusement from their surroundings.
tits % very singular fact that the anxiety
which Massachusetts has shown for elevating
/ the moral character Of her criminals has only
/ Jed 20 startling increase IN the amount Of
crime committed in the State. II is impossi-
bic 20 make tho public prisons reformatory
institutions without at the same time making
/ them more or loss attractive. In doing this
/ chat Commonwealth is really Offering a pro
MUM 90 crime. and statistics disclose that
his premium has been fully appreciated. The
State Of high moral ideas has become the
State ia which crimo is mos. rampant In
order 90 protect herself from tho evils Of her
own good intentions Massachusetts, will DO
compelled TO return 10 the system which
recognizes a prison as a place Of reformation
by punishment and not Of reformation by
devices that promote rather than detract
from tie satisfaction Of existence.