The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-12-14
EUROPEAN PRISONS.
BY REV. SAMUEL ]. BARRows.
Secretary of the American Delegation to the
International Prison Congress at Paris.


Two years ago the writer made
an extensive tour through Europe,
inspecting prisons in England and
all over the Continent. This summer
his presence at Paris as an official
delegate from the United States to
the International Prison Congress
has given him opportunity to become
still better acquainted with European
methods and tendencies in prison ad-
ministration.
European prisons vary in some de-
gree with reference to the traditions
of the country in which they exist.
But an American traveller is impressed
by certain uniformity of character
and standard which are more mani
fest. | do not mean that all prisons
are physically alike, or that methods
of administration are identical; but
rather that they are coming to be ami
mated by one idea and influenced by
one sentiment That idea and that
sentiment are essentially modern.
They express the conviction that
prison exists not only for the protec-
tion of society, but for the reforma-
tion of the prisoner. They appeal
more to hope than to fear; they are
institutions for moral education rath-
er than to wreak the vengeance of So
ciety upon offenders. Thus while
there are differences of methods there
is unity of spirit.
This is largely due to the develop
ment of modern pathological science
and the growth of the humane senti-
ment. Nothing has contributed more
Immediately to this oneness of aim
than the organization of the Interna-
tional Prison Congress which has now
been in existence for twenty three
years. Its first session was held in
London in 1872; the second in Stock
holmn 1878; the third in Rome in
1885; the fourth in St. Petersburg in
1890; and the fifth was held in Paris
in June, 1895.
The effect of this Congress has
been to bring together an increasing
number of prison directors, govern
ment officials, lawyers, Legislators,
physicians, college professors and
clergymen from all parts of Europe
who are interested personally or pro-
fessionally in penological science.
A great impetus has thus been given
to the cause of prison reform, and
every country which represents the
highest civilization has come to ac-
cept, as an ideal at least, certain
standard of prison structure and ad
ministration. A prison which fifty or
hundred years ago was considered
good enough for the best of criminals,
is today considered too poor for the
worst. In England old historic pris-
ons, such as Millbank, built as late as
1916, have been torn down because
they were no longer fit to represent
the civilization of the nineteenth CEN
tury, or because under better sys-
tenn, there was no longer need of
them. In Italy the old dungeons
under the Ducal Palace in Venice
are simply curiosities, as are the
racks and instruments of torture
which may be found at Nuremberg
and in other museums of Europe.
One of the most characteristic feat
ures of European prisons as a whole
is that prisoners are allowed to have
a portion of their earnings. This
system prevails in France, Germany,
Italy, Switzerland, Russia, Sweden,
Denmark and other countries. The
amount earned by the prisoner varies
considerably where it depends upon
piece work. In France, at the Maison
Centrale at Melun, the average salary
of the prisoner is franc 7S centimes
or about thirty-fve cents a working
day. Of this amount the prisoner is
allowed to spend one-half while in
prison for supplementary food and
clothing, postage, ETC., though no
expenditure is made without the ap-
proval of the administration. The
other half is reserved until the time
of his discharge. A three years
prisoner has to his credit on leaving
an average of $50; four years pris-
oner $40; and five years prisoner
about $50. There is great danger
when prisoner goes out that he will
waste his accumulations unless they
are properly guarded. While in some
countries the prisoner is left entirely
free in this matter, in most countries