The morning call., 1893-02-14

sl2,7Oo more was expended for extra
work" 1t is q two-story brick affair with
present accommodations for over COO pris-
oners. and when additional wings are pro-
vided 700 men can be confined there.
a second act relative to the House of Cor
reetiOn was approved In 1878, and author
lied the Board Of Supervisors to maintain
and govern the prison. Here are some Of
the sections Of the act:
See Q In making rules and regulations the
Board OF Supervisors shall endeaYOr, as far as
possible to prevent crime, reform pris on
eFs, and make the House Of Correction
EeIf-sustaining.
Was this section carried out? Subse-
quent events will show that 1t was not.
Now for section Of the amended law,
which reads:
No person shall be sentenced to Imprisonment
In the House Of Correction for shorter or a
longer term tnan that for which be might be
sentenced to the County Jail, or In the
state prison, and IN no case whatever
Tor longer term than three years.
No person who might be sentenced 10
imprisonment In the State prison sh all
be sentenced to imprisonment in the
House of Correction. if he 10 more than
rs years OF age, II he has been once be-
fore convicted OF q Re ony, or twice con-
vieted Of petty larceny. nor unless, in
the opinion of the court, impris on m en- {
in the House OF Correction viii
prIsanment In the City Prison. and
equally for the interest Of the public.
Tie fact OF previous conviction may be
found by The court upon evidence Introduced
at the time Of sentence.
No attention, whatever, has been paid to
this section Of the law, as the following ex-
tract from an article recently published in
THE CALL will show:
The Institution instead OF being one for the
confinement Otpetty criminals and an occasional
youthful transgTess0rs who might be corrected,
has been turned into place for the confinement
OF Individuals who have committed crimes
against the State, who should be punished by
Imprisonment 10 one OF tile penitentiarles, at the
expense Of The State, ana not supported by the
taxpayers OF the city aud county. The last pub
lished report OF the superintendent OF this inslI-
ton shows 10 what extent the original Intention
OF the act has been perverted. IL shows that 10
contains not only prisoners whose terms, II they
h. d been sent 10 the State prison, would have
exceeded Two years, or as the act has been IN
terpreted 20 mean that no prisoner should be
INT TO the House Of Correction who could be
sent to the state prison for more than two years.
but prisoners who might have been imprisoned
for any term from seven years 10 life. There Is
included in the list nnety-eghI prisoners who
were under sentence for attempted burglary,
forgery. grand larceny burglary, robbery and
perjury al crimes Of the worst class, for they
are neve committed without generalization.
The central portion OF the building Is oc-
tagonal 10 form, and from his have been built
wings, IN which are tiers OF cells. The main
building Is SO arranged that AT any time addl-
tional wings can be added and accommodations
provided for 1000 prisoners without croWding.
The front part OF the main building Is devoted to
Offices on the first floor, and the upper floor Is
sci apart for the superintendent his family and
officers.
The prisoners In the "housen number over
300, and range IN years from 16 to so. They all
mingle together, the young and the old, the
novice 10 crime and the hardened professional,
The one who has violated petty ordinance and
the highway robbeT. Tie natural result of this
eommingling Is not the correction Of those who
might be made 10 see the error of their way and
restored 10 an honorable life. but Is Installing
into the minds Of the younger prisoners that
which they do not already know and which Will
have tendency 10 make them cOnlinu-
Gus enemies OF society. Some Of the most
prOmInentiE penOlOgists have given 1t as
result OF their observations that the
BOn-segregation OF prisoners has beensa most
prolific source OF furnishing recruits TO tie gr, al
army of criminals. For instance, those who In
moment o; passion commit crime for which,
they should suffer punishment are, as a rule
BBaequainted with the ways OF those who com
init crimes tDat are premedtated and require
planning In order to execute them. term In
the House OF Correction makes such prisoners
10 theory thieves, burglars, forgers, per1uIers,
highway robbers and the ike. II is true that
The authorities punish those who have zone
wrong, but by the manner In which they Inflict
thar punishment they create the raw material
with which TO increase tie number OF criminals,
aud add heavy burdens to the taxpayers by
being obliged 10 furnish additional room In
which 10 cODfne evIl-dorrs. Captain DAILY, when
asked. said that under the existing circumstances
prisoners cannot b. segregated.
The rules that govern the prisoners In the
house are stretched more or less, according to
circumstances. Some prisoners are forced to be
10 their cells with only the ancient worn blan-
kets that the prison furnishes. while Others
who are made TRUSTEES" or have some kind of
pull" are permitted 10 have sheets or pillow
eases OF fine linen. A number Of prisoners spend
their time In idleness. and all for want OF some
ming TO do. There wOnld be word for all If tie
officials could employ them on the roads
but then Il would require an extra
number OF guards to watch them.
A number Of prisoners are daily EN-.
pioyed TO work on The county roads ard keen
them 10 repair. There is, however, no reason
why hose who pass their time IN enforced Idle
ness should not be kept al work In the yard