Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-18
REFORM IN STATE PRISONS.
Mrs. whitehead Suggests Some Things
that Might Benefit the Unfortunate.


Mrs. whitehead Suggests Some Thing.
that Might Benefit tho Unfortunate.
To a,c Editor Of ne Dispatch.
The annual report of the Superinten.
| don't Of the Penitentiary, just issued. con-
tains much interesting information and
some most valuable recommendations.
/ There il a growing desire in the public
mind 10 know oil about this great State
institution. The desire TO understand its
| internal workings once aroused will not be-
satisfied without the certain assurance
/ that what ~ best. right. and Just Ia being
done tor those whom the law is holding
for punishment. Knowing az / do the in
/ tense interest felt all over the State
newly awakened but none the less active
IN the general subject OF prison re-
form. feel that / will not be "out of
order IN giving your readers with your
permisSon) a few thoughts upon the sub
lect and conclusions at which / have ar.
nyed through unpreludiced careful study
OF the subject. aided by intimate acquaint-
ance with our penItennary.
| have been regular visitor at our State
prison for years. and know personally
hundreds OF those whom the world calls
COny.cts.' | SAY the world, because
from intimate acquaintance with crIml-
nails am confident that no person who
4 looks upon them only rs "cOnvicts" can
do them any good, for they cannot reach
the heart, out Of which are the issues OF
life, whether beating painfully uuder the
striped Jacket or joyfully under the broad
cloth coat.
by such little things are lives made or
mared.n
It is our duty 70 study these lit
tie things it we would help those III
whom society in other days took little III
terest Soclgty's interest slept, but ia now
awake; has been awakened by startling
experiences. 1t ia not the outcast alone
That tho iron handed law holds for punish
ment it enters the loftiest home as well
as the humblest. because temptation
comes and because men and women do not
resist temptation; and sin and crime re-
gard not social distinctions.
ALL ARR LIABLE TO ERR
II NAV be your son, most honorable
CentlcmGn-lt may be your daughter,
most gracious lady-who will next wear
the garb Of disgrace and next weep
bitter tears III the convict's cell
How will they fare should this wo-
full calamity befall you aud them! How
do others fare with hearts 10 ache like
yours. Thoughts like these disturb many
hearts and there j. TO- day more lively in
terest in all that concerns ials and peni-
/ believe the present management of the
Ucntentiary IS wise, strong, firm, and
humane. With over a thousand men IN
side the walls II IS absolutely necessary
that discipline should be strict aud that
punishment should follow insubordina-
ton, but there should be no cruelty, for
cruelty + demorahzing alike to the
prisoner and to his keeper.
] have a convection that the guard who
40 %. Ia ., cflf
fering by his position as guard should be
relieved of his duties 10 matter how eff
cient and competent he may DO in other
particulars.
Your readers will excuse the public state
ment that | have studied guards as we'll as
couvicts. and | am constrained to believe
that the State cannot afford 10 send its
Young men TO such a training school as a
PRISON would be if the guards were left 10
themselves with power to punish at Will
any person upon whom their anger might
tall or against whom they might take q
dislike.
GOOD INFLUENCES OF THE MATRON.
The appointment OF q matron for the
woman's ward gave rest to the painful
thought that the women shut IN alone,
with men only in charge were without the
protection the State should give Its
daughter, however lowlv. The influence
Of the matrOn has. believe, been all good,
and so far as any one can Judge, the main
object for which the appointment was
made has been secuTed-certalnly as near
as any one person could secure II.
Tho demand for the matrOn az the time
she was appointed was imperative, and
every day increases the depth OF the CON
viction IN the public mind that where
women are shut IN behind bolts and bars
there women should bo 10 have oversight,
at least knowledge, Of ell that concerns
them.
The recommendation by the Superin-
tendent that the State have penal-tarm,
and for the separation of youthful crlmi-
mails from the old and hardened, Will be
great blessing should the Legislature make
provision for II.
take the liberty of adding, there should
also Toe some work for women, by which,
after years Of hard labor, they, on going
ont. might be prepared to make living tor
themselves. 4 satisfactory or knitting
factory, or any kind OF woman-,work,
while relieving the women OF heavy
machine work would, by increasing
the demand for men in the shoe
rooms. where women are now employed,
save much suffering, perhaps many
lives. which the physician or the
prison, Or. Nash, SAYS are now imperuled
bv work on the railroads. ] am Glad that
both the Superintendent and the physi-
can emphasize the fact of the i'll effect OF
sending convicts upon railroads 10 work.
There are many other thoughts upon the
subject / would gladly put before those IN
terested. but fear 10 trespass upon your
space. There is much needed TO be done.
apd legislation moves slowly while the
great thrOug behind those high White
walls - steadily increasing.
MED or CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION
The law puts them behind the bars, but
makes no provision for even the immortal
souls IN peril The State furnishes neither
chaplain nor Bible. and II Is the most SOL
rowful fact that with oil the begging we
can do we can get not half enough Bibles
for the eager hands outstretched 10 take
them. All over the State church spires
MONT I'D 10 Heaven, while from
every county and city the conycts
crme and not Bible comes
with them. Have we forgotten who
- was that said "Inasmuch as We dld IL
ma, 10 the least Of these. We did it not TO Me-"
II i not from any thought that the SUPER
jntendent and board are not doing all they
can that | write TO-DAY. but TO bring these
matters before the public, which Is apt to
think Alright. and through the pubic mlnu
10 influence legislation and so secure inc
laws we need. Legislation moves SLOWLY
Int if we can end 10y getting what Is heeu-
ed we will with patience wait Tor II.
Mas. THOMAS WHITEHEAD.
State SUPERINTENDENT Press Department
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
State OF Virginia.