The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-21
THEPRISON ASSOCIATION
THExxyUxL MEETING HELD LAST
NIGHrxND OFFICERS ELEcTED.
MOTOR Lynn Makes Valuable suggestions
New Cells Greatly Needed at tho Penis
ten.isry-Finances Of the Association.

ing In the board room Of the Young
Mems Christian Association, The foi-
lowing members OF the Board Of Direct
ors we're present: Mr. James Caskie
president: A. II. Christian. Jr.. Major f.
T. ID. Myers. J. W. Cringan. George {.
jefferson. Colonel John 5. Iiarwood.
Thomas Poindoxtcr and Major stiles.
President Caskie was I'm the chair and
Rev w. II. williams recorded. Major
II. W. Lynn. Superintendent of the PEN
itentiary was i'm attendance and the Char
stated that that gentleman had been m
vited TO be present In order 90 lay before
the members his views on prison reform.
Major Lynn explained that. while he
had no specific statement TO make, yet he
was in sympathy with the work and ne
therefore asked the members OF the AssO-
citation to interest themselves on behalf
OF the discharged prisoners. Their num-
her was between 800 and COO annually and
something ought to be done 10 take care
OF them when they were turned out OF the
gates Of the institution They needed
counsel and advice and In many Instances
money.
The law authorizing the Board of Di-
rectors Of the Penitentiary TO give dis
charged convicts money not exceeding $40
I'm cash coin. This power had been de-
tailed by the directors 10 the superinten-
dent. IL had occurred 10 him that some
agent should make himself acquainted
with these people and their conditions
Sometimes discharged oonvicts were in
the possession Of money as much as 500
or 5000 which they had made by extra
work ana which should be invested for
them.
In Ireland a Prisoners Aid Association
was in existence. which did some valu-
able work in that direction and similar
efforts were made I'm England. lie felt
sorry for the convicts when they left the
prison and often did not know where TO
10 10. He would be glad to have the
members OF the Prison Association visit
the penitentiary 10 become familiar with
it's workings. He felt proud as TO the
business part of it's administration. for
during the past few years the institution
had made money.
MORE CELLS NEEDED.
The cell building. however, which is
over a hundred years old. was greatly IN
need Of Improvement. In some In
stances as many as thirty convicts were
crowded into one room and the officers
were unable to tell what the men were
doing unless they engaged in a fight
and some one knocked at the door 10
attract the attention of the guard. This
OLD system of Imprisonment was con-
demned by all and IL was agreed that not
more than one or two convicts should be
placed IN one cell
He would therefore request the mem
bers Of the association to do all in their
power to secure the rebuilding Of the
cells. The directors Of the institution
thought that the expenses could be Gov
cred from its net earnings IL this re-
form system was introduced Ii would be
possible to do some good for the prison
ers.
Another matter TO be considered by the
Prison Association was revision of the
present criminal laws. which should be
so framed as to insure for the convicts
what is called the undetermined system
under which a man would be put on his
good behavior thereby beginning his re-
formation at once.
The Chair stated that air these points
were practically embraced in the charter
Of the association, but nearly all the
time of the directors had been taken up
10y looking after the condition of the
youthful prisoners The trouble was that
he general public did not take sufficient
interest in such matters and few persons
had 10 do all the work required. In
1880 the reformatory was started in an
old building with one inmate, while the
school now had 80 pupils. However. the
board had experienced a good deal OF
trouble inasmuch as great many pa
rents would first insist on having their
children sent TO the reformatory, and
afterwards the mothers would endeavor
to get them out again.
Some time ago the directors had been
asked to consider the question of estab-
fishing a similar school for colored boys.
but they had not yet been able TO take |
up that subject.
Superintendent Lynn here requested the |
members of the association TO visit the |
penitentiary as soon as convenient. and |
President Caskie stated that he would |
arrange for date in the near future.
BISHOP PENICK'S VIEWS.
Bishop G. G. Penick, the rector Of st. |
Marks Episcopal church. who was pres
ent was asked to give his views on the |
subject. lie urged the Prison Associa- |
ton to back up Major Lynn with all the
force possible so that new cells might be |
provided for the prisoners. lie thought |
ii would be comparatively easy matter |
TO secure the authority of the Legisla-
ture for that purpose.
Major Lynn stated this matter had been |
discussed by the Board of Directors OF
the penitentiary that evening, and they
had thought the construction of cells
the institution. 1t might become neces-
sary. however, to issue bonds for that
purpose. with the authority of the Legis-
lature and these could be paid for with
in fifteen years by setting aside $1,000, or
one-half of the net receipts of the institu-
tion for each year. AT any rate an en-
tirely new system should be introduced,
for he was opposed TO patching up the
present old system.
Major Stiles agreed that the most ne
cessary thing TO do was the providing of
new cells. lie had been appointed with
Mr.. Cringan as Il committee TO invest-
gate this matter. and they had conferred
on the subject with Major Lynn. The
discharged prisoners also needed looking
after. and he had been Informed that GER
tain people lived in what was known
as Penitentiary Bottom, who watched for
the conyicts TO leave the penitentiary. so
as 10 get them drunk. and take their |
money away from them.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
This ended the discussion, and the Chair |
then announced that the election Of Off |
GERS for the ensuing year was in order.
On motion of Colonel Harwood IL was |
decided that a committee of three be |
appointed TO nominate officers. The |
Chair appointed Messrs. HARDWOOD, Grin |
gan and PoindeXter members of the COM |
mittee. who. after brief conference, sub |
mitted the following nominations:
President. James Caskie
First Vice-Presdent. Major Robert |
Stiles
Second Vice-President. a. II. Christian.
Jr
Board OF Directors-Messrs James