Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-06


of Reform-Thinks There Should
be No Politics in the Conduct OF
the Institution.
When Warden NJ. Van Pelt, OF the west
Virginia penitentiary, turns over the
keys of that institution to his Republican
successor on May LIST. the prison Will be
in better shape than ever before IN lis MS
tory.
Mr.. Van Pelt assumed the duties OF MS
position April 1st 1890, and has therefore
managed the prison for seven years. WIN
merely a general knowledge of the conduct
Of such institutions. he succeeded admir-
ably during the first few years OF his IN
cumbency. and il was not long until ne
began 10 make reforms. which have con-
tinued from time 10 time, until to-day the
State prison is managed as wisely ana
economically as any similar institution IN
the country.
\ Register reporter yesterday visited the
penitentary. was very courteousy re-
ceived. and spent the entire afternoon
within its walls. The visit was made Tor
the purpose Of inspecting the institution
and Of learning the views of the Warden
upon prison discipline and other matters.
The prison is in splendid shape. lis loca-
ton is not good, as the ground Is low but
the sanitation is excellent, and the deats
rate among the prisoners has been ma
teriaNy decreased during the past few
years. Formerly there was great deal
Of typhoid fever. but therD has not been
Z single case during the last two years.
This is largely due 10 the fact that the
water supply is now secured from two
wells instead of from the Ohio river. as
heretofore. The pumps have capacity
of 7.OJ0sbarrels an hour. a general air OF
cleanliness pervades the institution. The
hospital was established during Warden
Van Pelt's term, and is now considered in
dispeusable.
MORE CELL ROOM NEEDED.
Prison statistics show an increase of
crime during recent years. not only in
every state in the Union. but in Contin-
entail Europe as well. In seven years the
population Of the West Virginia peniten-
tiary has doubled. When Warden Van
Pelt stepped into Office. 279 prisoners were
entrusted 10 his care. The number grad
ually increased. Yesterday there were 553.
The top notch was reached in June 1886
when there were $50 prisoners. A remark
able thing in connection with this matter
is the fact that there remain but half
dozen Of the convictS who were in the
prison in 1890.
Warden Van Pelt is Of the opinion that
the 100 per cent. increase in the population
of the penitentiary. may be accounted for
-r.
who came into the State 10 WORK in the
mines and on the railroads. The percent
age of colored convicts 10 whites is largely
in excess of the proportion OF the races in
the population Of the State. There We're on
September 80. 1886. 37S whites and 2l2 col
ored convicts. To-day there are y females
I'm the prison. white and colored.. There
are also two babies. both born in the
prison.
The remarkable and unexpected increase
in the number of convicts found the in
stitution inadequate for their accommo-
dalton. As a result there are at least fifty
cells. i'm each Of which az least TWO pris-
ouers are confined The last Legislature
however. made an appropriation Of $4,000
for an extension of the north wing, which
will make room for 2l6 additional cells,
and provide for any reasonable increase in
the number of convicts for several years
10 come The work will be done this sum
mer. under the direction Of the new
Board.
IMPROVEMENTS MADE.
The increase in the number of prison
ers has made a number of more or less
extensive improvements absolutely neces-
sary. and the penitentiary is much larger
and better equipped than when Warden
Van Pelt assumed charge. During his
term OF office rs cells have been added. a
building was also erected. which is Of
brick. two stories high and is now used
as dining room. with the chapel on the
second floor. A story has also been added
10 the blacksmith shop. and an elevator
placed in the Warden's building. The re-
volving cage or door. is an innovation
which has caused the most favorable COM
ment from visitors.
one of the most important improvements
Is the hospital. which is fitted up for the
proper treatment Of prisoners. Il is diff
cult 10 understand how the institution
was conducted without this department
but fl is not so difficult to determine the
reason iOE lilf AtG4 ease III N--' H''-@AA Lett-
among convicts. The bakery has also
been enlarged.
With the completion Of the addition TO
the north wing. no further improvements
will be necessary at the prison Tor num-
Der Of years. The shops are all large and
could accommodate many more men than
are now employed in them. At present the
conviCts make brooms, whips. pantaioons
and gloves. The contractors are: United
Safes Whip Company. rs men; A.
T HaUock. 103 men; Josaph Klee
Sons & Co, 103 men. Some Of the prison
ers are unable TO work and others are
employed in different capacities about the
institution.
THE DISCIPLINE.
The discipline Of the convicJs under
Warden Van Pelt is much more humane
than before. Mr.. Van Pelt started with
the determination TO reduce the number
of uunishments. their duration, and their
severity. in so fan as practicable. In this
purpose he has succeeded admirably. The
average number of prisoners during The
year 1>SS was 265; during 1896 566. y COM
parison of records shows that there were
greater numbsr Of punishments during
ISIS than during last year. notwiths,and-
ing the prison population was more than