Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-08-10
wo GomueEa Performances Daily al z anl3Rl

ministers of the different denominations
ofIicate alternately. In the shops many
make "over-work' money, which they
can send to their friends or purchase
such little delcaces as are permitted.
For good behavior they can write 20
,heir friends each month. In fact, the
whole discipline Of the prison seems 70
rest on the system of forfeiture of priyi-
leges. This is as il should be. When d
nan violates the law he is punished by
the law. When a convict violates the
rules and laws Of the prison he is de-
prived OF privileges" just as the viola
tor of the law on the outside IS denied
fhe privilege of society and friends This
system teaches the prisoner it is, al
least, policy 10 do right outside as well
as within the walls. Nc harsh or
abusive language is used by the guards
TO the men Clean clothing ana bed
clothes are put on each week a bath
is taken once each week in summer and
once each two weeks in winter. Perfect
cleanliness reigns. Another good i'm
provement made by the presen, manage
ment is the half-hOur rest after dinner,
and while they formerly iaborei ten
hours they now work only nine. Per-
sonally. | know that some five or six
years ago. with only half the population
Of the present. the iuirac,!Ols Of rules
were as numerous as az the present with
greatly Increased number Holidays
are always looked forward 10 with pleas
ure as The prisoners enjoy themselves
with ,heig own amusemants, always fol-
lowed by an extra good dinner.
would MOI De- understood as saying that
the prison is a mere playhouse, but I
mean 20 express the truth that the con-
vets enjoy more privileges, enjoy more
humane treatment are by their treat
meni better fitted for the association Of
society again than any method of
penClogy have yet heard of. The two
fold object of the punishment and
reformation-seem 10 be the object of
attainment of the present warden. Let
no person think his loved ones are under
abuse or extraordinary severity. Per-
haps II is needless to remark upon the
grel, improvements made by Warden
Van Pelt both within and about the
prison. I have heard rom several men
VINO nave Uttl iullla. - bi NNll'h otiA4lAtAl
institutions. and consequently qualified
70 speak. and all agree that West Vir-
ginl possesses the model prison. II is
well known II was not always thus, and
vha. advancement has been made is due
20 the present authorities Although
there are larger and older prisons in the
land. l venture the assertion there is
none more aumanely conducted or
where the discipline IS maintained so
easily. and I further assert there are
few-prohably none-penolOgists who
have grasped the proper course 10 carry
out the laws dual object than the pres
ent warden | am sure if politics were
lef, out Of the question (and it should
be). Warden Van Pelt would remain for
years 10 come UnknOwingly and unso-
lci;ed | write these statements. It is
proper The people should know how each
state institution is conducted. after be
ing under its discipline for seven years
and looking well over the history Of the
present head OF the prison, feel il
duty 10 now give these unintimidated
facts They are true as Gospel; not one
word can be refuted West Virginia has
a model prison, and a modern penologisJ
whose original IDEAS have proven prac-
ticable and beneficial. r. T.