New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-16
Flint'S Fine Furniture.
DO NOT MISS THE CHANCE
TO SECURE \ BARGAIN.
PRISON REFORM RULES.
NEW CLASSIFICATION ADOPTED FOX
THE STATES CONVICTs.
CRIMINALS TO Be ASSORTED ACcoRplN" ~
THEIR OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
FOR FIRST OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


FOR FIRST OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
DETAILS or THE sCrU;ME.
Albany. Feb. l5-sinco 1889 the eoh>'-'S az w
tbreo prisons Of this State have prem ''"'' %
IN Labor I'm accordance with inc Ia" P"''' ~
voar As the industries OF the nrrSo''S a''
,,rc changed to comply with the provisions OF ''''
now CONSTITUTIONS which went mo c"c'' "" 80
49,. ,xo- General Austin I.athrop Superih'e""'.'
ot state Prisons deemed II an opportuhe NM w
mako y new and more thorough c'aa." -,
~ tho convicte and has furnished 10 eac" u. wv
wardcns carefully prepared rules ana reeu,'"o
governing The grading of the con''c's anu -,
viding for the management
ploymont OF each class Atm.
rhoso ru,as have gone into effect. and outline /"
scheme of prison training. education ana uiSoipr''
that combines reformatory ana deterre', 49,,
and is In some particulars UNIQUE anu '''e
- i haeod ON tho theory that the best system oil
nrisor administration is that one that contributes
most TO the safety and security OF soc'e'! y! j."
aropc;ng prisoners in custody not 10 return "
criminal WAYS after their discharge ana pE "''''
ring free criminals from committing orheH' an"
rrovidcs that every effort SHAH ne mahe W '''''"
,he first offenders that both relot"''o'! an"
deterrent measures shall he applied to SECOND OF
fapders and that the deterrent Influences shaii m
croaeo with each successive term thereafter. Inc
rules also direct that each group OF con\''s Sn"
no kent separate from others in every department
of the prison. go,
rho foundation o. the plan of classification will
no laid nv the distribution according 10 their rr'n'
inaI record Of the present population OF INC p'sonS
into grades and groups AS follows:
First grade Group A-Men now serving their hrs'
term, 2.oil :, ~. ho have ecrvod ono
Second grade. Group B-Aleh VINO nave ''''" '''
previous term. GAP ~. ,o, s.r,.i
second grade. Group C-Mcn VINO nave s'rN'i
more than one previous term. 30, ,-.,, r;,,i,, a.,
Third grade. group p,Meh 81 oec'"'" - '''''''"
tendencies and vicious habits. III!
40 . NJ IN
hers Of Group A. They will he protected from inc
haner,I results OF associating with hardened crirl
mails and those of marked criminal tendencies
The physician will give each memocr car'iui ~
tention with the view 10 keeping MN III ~ perfect
physicaI condition possible ana all VIII nave 4
course Of training and instruction especially ar
ranged with n view TO improving Their mental
condition increasing their ability TO think and red-
SON and appreciate the responsibilities of citizen
shin and the benefits that a correct HE VIII IN
sure to them The labor Of this group will be at
such work affords facilities for education III the
trades and In general business methods.
The reformatory measures viii he apphHd 10
Group B in a limited way. The discipline will be
stricter and the privileges fewer. ana the labor
Will be with view TO accomplishing the greatest
amount Of useful work.
As a large percentage OF the mon In Group I
are confirmed criminals. upon whom reforma tory
measures have failed to produce the desired re-
suits the rules provide for restricted deterrent
system for them. This system VIII not he hatsh
or severe but the members will he treated as a
class rather than individually. and certain priv
ilepes that are permitted members Of other groups
| will not be permitted to them.
| The members OF Group will he subject large
| ly to the rules governing Group 6. but they will
be kept absolutely isolated from the other groups,
| and worked only at such labor can be furnished
! outside the shops and remote from the other con-
| Victs.
| In carrying out this classification It Is not ex-
pected that any transfers Of the present popula
] ton (othcr than such are necessary to relieve
| Sing Sing PRISON. will be made. but men hereafter
| a Sing Sing that belong in Group II Will
| be transferred to Auburn. and those that belong
! in Groups & and ID will be transferred to Clinton.
These transfers, together with the discharges of
| the men now In Groups b. c and ID AZ Sing Sing
| will in a shor time give that prison populatio
| composed entirely of first-grade men.
Members of all groups may be reduced 10 lower
! groups for misbehavior. and may earn promotion
| TO their original group by good conduct Rules
| governing such promotions and reductions are now
| being prepared.