The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-27

has frequently discovered that whole
weeks elapse without single VIOLA
ton of the rules so fragrant that the
violatcr would be sent to the solitary.
Under the able management of War
den Wolfer and his assistants, Dep
uty Warden F. H. Lemon and Assist
ant Deputy Warden John S. Glennon,
the Minnesota prison has become the
model penal institution of this coun-
try, and the discipline is wonderful,
when the character OF a large per-
centage of the inmates is taken into
consideration. There are those in the
Minnesota prison, as past experiences
have shown, who have absolutely no
regard for human life, and who would
just as soon kill a human being as
they would rob a mosquito of it's life,
but still these desperate characters
cause the management little uneasi-
ness, for they go about their work fully
cognizant of the fact that it is easier
and better for them to behave than
1t is to cause the management trou-
ble,sb-The- discipline may be said to be
perfect, and it is largely because of
the Introduction of our grading and
parole system.
The grading system enables each in
mate to earn credit marks and certain
privileges, and, no matter how desper-
ate a man may be, he always likes to
enjoy himself as well as possible A
convict in the first grade receives more
privileges than convict in the second
grade, while those in the third grade
have practically no privileges. In the
third grade they are not allowed to
receive or write letters. All papers
are taken from them, together with to-
bacco, etc., and one Of the worst fea-
lures is that they are not allowed to
eat their meals in the prison dining
room, but must take their plain food to
their cells. The number of third grade
men varies from ten to twenty. but
once in the third grade an inmate does
all in his power to regain his grade
standing
me parole system has also been an
important factor in building up the dis
clpIne OF the institution, for the rules
provide that only first termers who are
IN the first grade are eligible to parole
since the parole system was inaugu-
rated in July. 1892, III paroles have
been granted and only a few of tINse
have violated their paroles were re-
turned to the institution to serve long
sentences, and many regret that they
attempted to violate the law after the
warden and board of managers had
p!dced enough confidence in them to
give them their liberty. Only one in
mate who violated his parole has man
aged to elude the vigilant eve of the
ollcers and is still at large, while a
second one was recaptured at Ana
conda, Mont, on Thursday The parole
system Is also humane way Of treat
ing conVictS who in moments of
thoughtlessness have started out uDon
HVes or crime and many have been re-
claimed from paths of sin and are lead
Ing honest and upright lives in various
parts of this and other states
The prison and yard is a little CITY in
itself, situated as it is in a small hoI-
low. The yard is small, but the shops
are large and roomy, and the cell house
affords accommodations for about 600
prisoners. A few years ago an I'M
slightly paint shop stood in the south
west corner of the yard, but was des-
troyed by fire, and the ground upon
which 1t stood has been converted into
summer garden, where inmates who
are too i'll to work and not ill enough
to remain in the hospital are permitted
TO enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
The garden is studded with flower,
beds and in the center there is q large
fountain. Trees have been planted in
the garden and will some day afford
shady hooks.
The hospital, which is still situated
in the west end of the yard, is one of
the coolest hospitals in the state 1t is
light and airy and~is equipped with all
modern surgical appliances. The
prison physician visits the institution
once day, but the hospital steward is
always present to minister to those in
need Of his services.
The large cell house is under the per-
sonal supervision OF Keeper Alexander,
and visitors are usually struck by its
cleanliness. He has large number of
convicts under him who scour and
scrub from morning until night, day
out and day in, and they manage to
keep the halls and cells as clean as a
parlor.
Going from the cell room a visitor is
led to the shoe shops, where 200 con-
victs are busy as bees manufacturing
boots and shoes. The shops are sup
piled with modern machinery, and the
convicts take great interest in the
work, largely because it enables some
of them to learn trades where they can
earn good livelihood when they re-
gain their freedom.
The next shops visited are the Irvine
shops. where $50 consists are engaged