The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04
TO REFORM cONvICTs.
1wDortnnt Experiment just Begun
In the Indiana Penitentiary.
- r1btoa On Record


,-1,a,. state prison south into a REFORM
-, &c about complete. The first act of
The new board of managers was to VISIT
many of the reformatories in the east
win the information gathered before
them they set about preparing rules for
tbe government of the management OF the
now institution. Before these new rules
uere nut into effect they were approved
~, tbe hoard of state charities. The man
ayers have said to the governor that 1t
mas their desire to make it the model one
a. tha United States. 1t is pledged that
politics shall be disregarded absolutely.
The new rules have just been placed in
+ba hands of the officers, employees and
conviets. It is set out in bold type that
yeIiqious and political interests must not
he considered in the employment of men
and that competent and efficient officers
must not be removed to give place to
those not known to have superior quail
fcatons and experience.
One of the features of the institution Is
the introduction of common school in
struction. The common school instructor
is to have the general management OF the
schools in the reformatory and be re-
sponsible for the progress of the inmates
in the several classes therein. 1t is made
his duty to examine inmates on their en-
tering the institution as to their prof.
cency in the several branches of an Eng
lish education as taught in the common
schools of the state. It is made his duty
to assign each inmate to the class or
classes he deems such inmate to be bet
fitted to enter.
In the employment of new guards sala-
ries have been increased so as to secure
men competent to teach in the schools
of the institution. The new rules also
provide for the employment of trade in
structor who is to have the general man
agement of the manual training school.
He is instructed to bear in mind that
each inmate Is to be educated in an in
dustry by which if possible he may earn
a livelihood after his release from i'm
prisonment 1t is made his duty to exam
inc prisoners on their entering the insti-
tuition and determine to what manual en-
ployment each inmate shall be assigned.
The rules and regulations governing in
mates were made up from what the man
ayers regarded as the best in several cas-
tern Institutions of the same character.
The grade system had been introduced be-
fore the prison was converted into
Teformatory, but 1t has been revised and
the managers believe improved.
On admission the convict is placed in the
reduced to the lower grade for any con-
duct which reveals continued criminality
or great lack of self-control or which In
any manner convinces the general super
intendent that he is unworthy of remain
ing In the middle grade. Promotion to the
upper grade may be gained by maintain
ing a perfect record for six months in
succession or almost in succession.
After entrance to the upper grade six
months more of good performance is re-
CURED under somewhat enlarged liberties,
when If there is confidence and employ
ment the prisoner may go out on parole.
Twelve months of good record on parole
usually secures from the managers an alb
solute release.
There are three conditions which must
De fulhlled before a prisoner may be re-
leased on parole: That ne shall earn twelve
months sustained good record, with a bal
ance TO his credit sufficient to pay his way
70 the employment provided for him, and
TO sustain him until such time as he shall
Draw his first wages; that he shall gain
the confidence of the general superintend-
ent and managers; that previous to his re-
lease some definite and suitable employ
ment, preferably at the trade learned
Wmle there, Is arranged for him by his
irlehds or the management, such employ
ment to continue at least six months.
Inc new rules contemplate that the in
mates shall be taught the value of wage
earning. Each prisoner is informed upon
arrival that while there he will be requir-
60 10 make his own living by industrious
apphcation TO the labor assigned. One of
tIe rules on this subject says in part:
ny continuous good conduct and proper
HNlhs you will gain the confidence of the
management and be afforded an opportun-
ny 70 put to the test in the outside world
WIN occasional oversight, the principles
Ul renance on self-exertion and self-con-
WI mat with your help, it is TO be hoped
may be inculcated in you. When you enter
~ you VIII be given a chance to earn
YOUR hNlng and your release. Your FIST
sai Will be given you; after that you
must earn, by good conduct and work,
eullclent TO have something to your credit
vi lhe books if you desire to be paroled.
lou must earn and save sufficient to pay
sour expenses when leaving the institu-
Noh' III otherwise ready for parole your
crease may be deferred until you have
saVed enough to pay for your clothing and
al, uses 10 your place OF employment,
uu nave enough in addition to pay your
og 5g until settled in your position"
ane new rules provide that for each
Jay s perfect performance OF duty men
:" lne upper grade viii receive s. cents
in ,t IN the middle grade 30 cents day;
- we lower grade, As cents a day When
sung IN the shops an additional credit
tne grade rate viii be siven for an
TTolA zone in excess OF the fixed task.
I'm these earnings the inmates are to
lsqulred to pay for what they receive.
- 20 me upper grade will pay for board
MA g,lothing 45 cents a day; THOSE IN the
a.llle grade, 81 cents a day: and for
eolea attendance and medicine. At. the
rate OF 10 cents a visit.
~ Is provided In the system Of marking
~ 70 ne perfect IA conduct prisoner
"ust oney all rules and be ioyal 40 the
llinent OF the reformatory and 10 he
ssecl IN labor they must voluntarily
s,.t.o...-hI every task, or a reasonable
al tI OF whatever duty may be assign
-, 20 pc perfect in school the standing
not be less than Is per cent.
- inmate Is liable to a third-elass ra.
ve,-i.t not being properly equipped. not
pa9tl outside shirts. wearing SUNDAY
mia, 20 work, sleeping with clothes on
an, ~ ,less, ssovenliness, articles OF outat
Inc Si. pace bucket out OF place. CLOTH
bn,,ee.ly or not In proper order. coat not
ssn NV, throughout; face, hands on pers
fYrri"9sl clean, hair not combed. room or
ehoea lnks dirty, dusty or dlsorderiv
100. not polished, splitting on aoor =,
Tor a., and liable 20 a second-ciass renor,
sorib@Ss ,llating part OF dress from nre.
Inc ~ pattern, earelessly breaking. iniur.
,,os.e destroying any aticie hatsi,s- A.,