The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-12-10

CEMBER lO, 1896.
and can be kept so without as much
trouble. a. My experience is that
prisoners find but very little fault, and
do not complain any more than they
would running together. l can not but
heartily indorse the separate plan,
while / myself was opposed to it at
first. l can look back now and see
where l was greatly mistaken in my
judgment"
.Jailer H. S. Doty of Stearns county, |
who has had long experience in hand
ling prisoners on the cOngregate plan,
says:
II prefer the separate confinement of
prisoners in county jalls for several
reasons. First, it lessons the chances
for escape; second, they are much
easier controlled, and last, but which |
consider of more Importance than all
the rest. the worst element do not have
the chance to influence the others,
which they do have when they are all
allowed to mingle together. [ do not
think that the plan of separate con-
fnement is unnecessarily harsh, and l
know of no reason why it should be in
furious to their health. | have kept
the Stearns county jail for the past tive
years..
Sheriff c. w. Mead of Redwood cOun-
ty, where the separate system prevails,
says: "U 1 prefer the plan of sep
arate confinement of prisoners, because
/ can keep them under better subjec-
ton and from conversing with and
among themselves. ~ do not think
that the plan of separate confinement
of prisoners awaiting trial is unneces-
sarily harsh. (3) 1t may be injurious
to the health of some prisoners. ~
Nearly all prisoners complain of this
method as beingextraordinarilys ysevere." ;"
Sheriff J. H. Block of Nicollet coun.
ty, where the Jail does not admit of
separate confinement, says: "N L
prefer the plan of separate confine-
ment because it secures better conduct,
and prisoner by himself takes more
pride in keeping his quarters neat. (2)
I do not think the plan unnecessarily
harsh l think it is better for the pris-
oner, morally and in many other ways.
(3) do not think that separate con-
, finement is injurious to the health of
prisoners if the jail has good ventila-
ton and light and is kept clean. (4)
f No prisoner will complain of the sep
; arate system if he intends to live up to
4 prison discipline and keep out of
mischief
Ex-Sheriff II. M. Richardson of
e Olmsted county, after several years
experience with the separate system
l said. in paper read before the State
Conference of Charities and Correction
/: in 1898: "Cells should be so arranged
and built that men, women and boys
may be kept in separate quarters, and
Y that each person may have private
e CELL This latter rule is rapidly grow
e ing in favor. Men are quieter and bet
v ter behaved; there is less chance for a
): conspiracy among them, and young
e offender will learn fewer tricks from
e the old-timer when so kept than wher
| all are allowed to herd together pro
- miscuOusly.''
O Sheriff John McShane of Swift cOun
d ty, says:
s ain our Jail we have to keep then
3 together, and the mean ones amOngs
d them are generally the leaders. The.
& are always concOcting some scheme O
l. other to be carried out in the future
IS not good ones either. Then there i
@ some one of them will grumble, and al
will follow suit. Keep them apar
=. when possible
s, Sheriff A. Steenerson of Polk count
S. says "(I Prefer separate confine
n ment of prisoners during night, as it
,e healthier and also easier to keep ther
S. clean. l do not believe in separat
|y confinement at all times. ~ L do be
Is lieve it is harsh, unjust and cruel, to
1e the reason that it is injurious to tn
health of prisoners, makes them laZ
Ill and melancholy, and fits the subje(
n. for the insane asylum; or will max
tramps of the subjects, as it takes ava
n. their ambition. (3) [ do certainly b'
r r. lieve it to be injurious to health i
or e. body and mind. az Whenever tn
~ prisoners are healthy and have left
s- them any of the spirit of manhood an
~ mor energy that fits men to live they a
he ways complain very hard, but are be
o1 ter fitted to stand the treatment tina
* one who submits with pleasure, as sue
at man is always one who has lost a
ke energy and manhood and is hOpele'
es tramp beyond recovery, and fit only fl
aIs the madhouse. Separate confinemel
Ire is very thoughtless and shameful
'es cruel, and sincerely hope and wis
es for its abolishment."
he Ex-Sheriff Paul Sharves of St. Lou
We county, in paper read before tt
in State Conference of Charities in 18e
BIS said: "In my opinion, the sSepara
ise System is the only one which shOu
Ter prevail. While occupying our form