New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-12
A HONE FOR EY-CONTICTS.
THE NEW INSTITUTION ESTABLISHED BY
MRS BALLINGTON BOOTH

Upon the high ground lying between the Harlem
and Hudson rivers on the upper end of Manhattan
Island is a frame dwelling house which has been
transformed into an embryo institution. the like
Of which probably cannot be found elsewhere in
the country. 1t IS called Hope Hall. and is
home for ex-convicts.
Mrs. Ballington Booth for three months has
been planning. working and enlsting the sympathy
Of others TO realize a scheme the importance Of
which she feels kecnly from her contact with In
mates of prisons and ex-convicts. After Com
mander Darlington Booths and her with
drawal from the old Salvation Army. and their
starting Of the Volunteer movement she began on
a special mission of prison work. This was largely
brought about by a visit to San Quentin Prison.
near San Francisco. where she became deeply
interested in the condition of the prisoners.
Upon the opening of the Volunteer headquarters
and the disposal of the more pressing work Of the
new movement, Mrs. Booth began a systematic Wis
iting of the prisons here in the East. making Sing
Sing the chief object of her interest. She has
also visited the Auburn. Charlestown tMass) and
other prisons when she could spare the time. and
the firm conviction grew upon her that there
should be some better provision than existed for
the prisoners when they were released and thrown
helpless into a society that Stunned them. Her
work among the prisons was explained in detail
in The Tribune Of August ?.
BY dint OF much letter writing and calling upon
philapthrOpic and influential persons Mrs. Booth
secured the lease OF attractive house overlook
ing the Hudson and ground adjoining TO the
tent of thirty-two city lots. Here IT is her inten-
ton TO receive the boys she calls them, with
whom she has become acquainted in the prisons
when they are released and to give them OPP
portunty to secure work while living I'm a
spectacle manner. Many convicts she says leave
prison with the determination TO lead right lives
but when they to look for employment they
find every mans hand against them. Then
often they drop into the habtual criminal class
1t is this that Mrs. Booth will exert herself TO
prevent.
She has installed managers I'm Hope Hall
At present she has two released prisoners living
there. one Is a plasterer and Is replastcring the
whole house. The other Is working about the
grounds. The house has room for forty men,
and when II has become better established. prob
ably by season the land about 1t Will be cult
waited giving employment TO the occupants OF
the hall
The house Is not fully furnished. and Mrs Booth
Is IN hopes that firms may forward
with contributions OF needfu articles She has
written several, and has received favorable
answers I'm few Already she has received
gifts OF horse. and some chickens. What
she especially wants Is wagon, a second
hand With this OF her officers could go
about and collect any clothes provisions which
might be offered to the home
Mrs Booth has the Endorsement OF the Warden
and chaplain Of Sing Sing and several other prison
officials In her work