The evening times., 1895-11-06
PRISON REFORM M EUROPE
Result Of Inquiries Into Systems Which
Are in Vogue ID Fsfdgl Lands.
Machinery for Reformatory Em-
pIoyment Is Almost Perfect In
the Continental Countries.

In one thing prison reformers are practi-
fcally agreed, and that 10 the need of entire
separation of prisoners in jaiis where pris-
oners are committed for trial and where
they are often remanded to serve out short
sentences.
Some uf the worst sinks ufiniquity in our
own country have been and still are our
county jaiis, where prisoners, old and
young, have been indiscriminateiy hud.
died together. 1t is hard then, to keep the
poison OF crime from pervadlng the whole
mass.
such jails are simply institutions for
propagating tue spores OF vice, and many
oil our houses OF correction are Not Rncn
better. In the model jaiis of Europe and
America criminals have no contact what
ever with each other. Pains are taken to
provide optional hand labor OF various sorts
in their ce.ls Ior those who are awaiting
trial, as well as compulsory labor Tor
those who are under short sentences.
The therapeutic value of labor is thus
recognized as one OF the most important
elements in prison discipline. The efforts
to abuiish productive prison labor have
not seriously interrered with the prison
systems of Europe. In England this agita-
tion has led tu the employment OF prison.
ers In the manufacture OF guods for the
army and navy and civil service DEPART
meDts.
Without exception, prison reformcrs the
world over are agreed that the abolition
of prison labor would be a revival OF bar
barism hardly less cruel than the renewal
of inhuman physical tortures. Unpruduc-
tive penal labor, such as turning the crank
and working the treadmill has been ab',l-
Ished on the continent. But these sun
exist In England. They cannot be said tn
be physically cruel as used there; they
are simply useless for the state and uf no
moral value to the prisoner.
One of the most characteristic features
of European prisons as whole is that
prisoners are allowed to have Il portion
OF their earnings. This system prevails In
France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Rus
sia, Sweden, Denmark and other countries
The amount earned by prisoners varies con-
siderably where it depends upon piece work
In France, at the Maison centrale at
Meiup, the average salary or the prls-
oDer is / franc, 7S centipies, or about 80
cents a working day. or this amount the
prisoner is allowed to spend one-half while
In prison for supplementary food and CLOTH
ing, postage, etc, though no expenditure
is made without the approval or the ad-
ministration. The other half is reserved
until the time Of his discharge.
A threc-years prisoner has to his credit
on leaving an average Of $50, rouf-yeass
prisoner SO, and 4 five-ycars' prisoner
about $50. There is a great danger when
a prIsoner goes out that he will waste ms
accuuulations unless they are properly
guarded.
While in some countries the prisoner
is left entirely free in this matter, in most
countries the sum is placed Tor MIN IN
bank, under Charge OF some prisoners
aid society or the mayor OF the town N
which he resides. In the United states
the system OF giving prisoners u portion
OF their earnings has long been in vosae
in the eastern peniientiary, ana eAlsts III
Minnesota and Wisconsin.
England a abandoned transportation III
1867. when the last shfpload OF cohTicts
was sent to Western Australia. Irahspor-
tation stnl exists I'm France ana Russia.
In Russia the system meets win strong
opposition from some OF themost distinguish
cd pcnologists. And here IL may be said
that some of the most advanced prise n re-
formers in Europe are in Russia.
Noone can visit Europea prise ms or meet
their wardens nd directors in gathering
iiketheinternatiOnalpri congress WITHOUT
being much impressed by the high grade
of personality they represent
II on. may see in England and on Inc
continent general improvement In prison
buildings and adminisiration-if he may
find al so some iut telligcnt, just and humane
met hods Of treatment. il j. not a. Hly because
of the study OF these questions by legis-
lators or phila pthr 1pists, but beea "f the
character of the men and women Who are
placed in control Of these Institutions IL
is only through his higher personality
that the moral influence so necessary for
a.. nf no INrf
exerted.
One must not ovprlo,, K anut her .lsl inctive
feature of prison reform work in Europe,
and that is the work done for the dis
charged convicts. Inthis country wcasefar
behind in such organized efforts. In Europe
Switzerland leads the van.
She has fourteen societies for discho rged
couyicts, and what is most acmirable is
the system OF appointing patron for
each prisoner who goes out. Thus aid
is not given through money, hut through
work and personal sympathy. The personal
relation OF the matroD W ith the prisoner
begins before he has left the prison. The
good results OF this system are seen In the
great reduction OF recommitments where
ever IL is most active.
A great impetus has been given TO " ork
for discharged convicts in France Within
the last three years, which now has some
fifty prisoners aid societies. In England
there are ninety. These societies, both
in England. and on the continent, are not
not only helped by private contributions,
but receive subsidies FROM tic government.
Europe has learned something from this
country and has still more 10 learn with
reference TO refornatory prisons. but it
is apparent also that We have something
TO learn from Europe. And among the
things we may wen consider l should
name centralized administration for
prison control in each State; the giving
to prisoners a portion of their earnings,
and the development OF better organiza
ton for the aid of discharged convicts.
JUDGE CHICHESTER'S LETTER.
He Says Gov. O'Ferrall Did Not Delay
Action Unnecessarily.
Fairfax, Va, Nov. 4.
Editor Times: In your editorial in the