The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-03-22
In State PRISON.
Some Features Of Convict
Life at Trenton.
THE WOMEN AND THEIR WORK.
Curious Bell DecoratiOn-An In
genious Old Prisoner--Rules
and Regulations.
THE WOMEN AND THEIR WORK.
Special to the jersey citv Netus.

legislators In session, also Vl5bS tne osht0
Prison. The big tomb-like building has
an irresistible fascination for visitors that
few can resist. There is nothing pleasant
in visit to the place, and little that Is
edirying, but that does not prevent the
morbid-minded and the curious from
visiting. The visitors, who usually go IN
groups numbering from five to twenty, are
taken charge of by one of the underkeepers
and are shown the principal features
of interest in the place. They are shown the
cells and are allowed to look in the shops
where the prisoners are at worK. Inrougn
the courtesy of Principal Keeper Patter-
son and Supervisor Seymour, a re-
porter was allowe to take trip through
the prison, and was shown into parts
where visitors are not ordinarily allowed.
The one bright spot, il anything may be
termed bright in this gruesome place, Is
the woman'S section. lC is the Dest ligneeu
part of the prison, and the thirty or more
women who are conn nned tnere haSe whao-
ever benefit there Is to be gained from the
bright sunlight shining in through the
big windows. During working hours they
sit in the big corridor engaged in shirt
making. watched over by Mrs. Patterson
and three assistant women Keepers. WIN
the rapid plying of their needles ana the
wbirring Of their sewing machines, 1t
only needed the buzz of women's talk TO
make the idea complete. That Is where
the prison rigor is seen. None OF tne
prisoners are allowed to talk during
working hours. Any woman can appre-
ciate what a punishment that must DC.
THE CELLS.
The cells are perhaps the most fasclnat-
ING features of a visit to the prison. lt Is
wonderful what taste and ingenuity some
of the men display in decorating their mar
row little cells with the limited material
thew have 10 work upon. Odds and ends
of colored scraps or parer and cloth are
carefully boarded and are afterwards con-
vsrted into remarkable specimens of
handiwork 1t is the same way with pic
lures. or anything that falls in prison
er's way aud can be utilized in lending an
air of color and brightness TO the cells.
Some OF the cells are decorated SO prettlly
that they might be easily mistaken Tor
girls boudoir. Rough, uncoutn IeiioWs,
who before they entered the prison never
mad a needle in their fingers. nor ever
dreamt OF making fancy work, evolve
pretty ornaments aud fancy coh-
ceits out of pieces of paper which
would make Crazy Jane Society envl-
ous. With little pieces OF muslin tackled
together they make lambreqnins, bed
snTeads and pits Of drspery to hang upon
the walls With coarser bits OF goods
they make mats. rugs and similar articles.
Phe confinement developes some remark
aple faculties. Until recently the men
were allowed to have penknlfe and
pieces of wood. When not at WORK In the
shops the men would. with no otner tooi
than a penknife, whittle and carve all
manner of articles out of pieces OF wood.
Not few of them developed remark
able faculty for inlaid work and carving.
This sort of thing is restricted now since
a prisoner made use of this privilege to
make an attempt to escape. That Is one
kind OF work the keeper does not encour-
age. .o>-,,r
There Is one old prisoner down there
who ms remarkable faculty for max
ing miniature boats. He claims to be a
full blooded Cherokee Indian, but beyond
his bronzed color he does not bear much
of a resemblance to an aborlgine. he is
an old man, and is allowed to indulge In
his fancy in the carpenter shop. He has
made several miniature sloops and
Yachts which are marvels OF perfection.
The detail ia something wonderful. From
the keel to the top mast the details are
perfect, and he does II all without plans,
and relies on his memory of crafts he has
seen years ago.
who has been imprisoned over quarter
of a century. He was sent there for MUIR
der in the prime and vigor OF his man.
hood. Now he Is old aud decrepit and
unable to work. They say that his friends
outside have all forgotten him, and he
never sees the face OF one he once knew.
He is yeritable instance of a being
buried in a living tomb. Being old and
feeble. and the oldest inmate of the
MACE. he is accorded few privileges,
such as being allowed to sit with the
keeper in the corridor. Forgotten by his
friends aud dead 10 the world, it does
seem as though death would be a wei
come visitor to one like him.
THE BATH-HoUSE.
One of the recent i'm provements made in
the prison is an Idea OF Principal Keeper
Patterson. IL is y bathhouse someGhi G
ON the principle of Turkish bath, with
out the latter's luxuries. In one of the
detached buildings is big room htted uI
with about three dozen small closets; in
zach closet is faucet and Il rubber hose
with a sprinkler nozzle. With this each
prisoner can take an individual bath. Mr.
Patterson regards 1t as great improve
meut on the old tank method of bathing
IL is cleaner and there is less waste o
water.
since Supervisor Seymour has been IL
office he has made several Improvements
for the benefit of both the prisoners anc
the State Upon his suggestion the pris
oners who have TO work hard in the suopS
are given meat for their breakfasts sew
| erhl tim a week. Inc commissioner
contends that even ii it does cost a trihl
more in the year to furnish this meat, it II
money we'll expended. because 1t keeps III
| the he lth of the prisoners and enables
| them to do more and better work. Here
are some of the rules which govern The
prisoners
| Each d isoner is allowed certain privileges b,
the prise Il authorities only on condition OF goo
| behavior.
Disobedience TO the prison rules forfeits al
privileges for such length OF time as the prlnci
1 pal keeper may direct.
| First-A prisoner may receive visit iron
| relatives one or more al tn, same time, once II
! each month When an extra visit is desired ap
| piication must be made to the principal keeper
| giving the reasons therefor. which should be i'm
| portant. On sundays and no lidays visiting /
| not permtte |, the prison being closed.
| Second-They may receive chewing AM
| smoking tobacco, pipes soap, suspenders
underclothes, socks, handkerchiefs, towels
| looking glass, hair brush and como, tooth brusl
and slippers. These articles may be sent at an.
! time.
Third-They may write one letter each mont
| and receive one letter each week, il Of a prope
| character. Extra letters allowed to be writer
business.
| Fourth-They may receives magazines an
| books of a proper character Daily and week.,
| papers, immoral and sensational novels not al
| lowed.
Fifth-Boxes aud packages by express (whicl
be plainly marked with the prisoners name
full Compliance with this rule will preven
| mistakes in the prison delivery.
Calico Ball of the Sporting Club.
The American Sporting Club last night held