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

good behavior is a strong incentive to ODE
dience of regulations. The most severe
punishment. resorted TO only in extreme
| cases, is gagging. Another form is shack
les, and still another is a bread and water
diet. The old lock step has been abolished.
When Mr.. Van Pelt took charge OF the
institution convicts were not permitted 10
talk. nor were they allowed TO lift their
heads when visitors were present. This
seemed Lac an unnecessary severity. Now
| the prisoners walk in pairs about the yard
and are permitted TO converse with each
other They are also permitted TO talk at
other stated times, and all express them
selves as grateful to the warden for this
privilege. The theory is that convicts will
plan escapes when allowed to talk with
each other. and while this is true, it is
also true that all such schemes have been
nipped in the bud.
OTHER REFORMS.
In his last biennial report, Warden Van
Pelt had the following under the head of
reforms:
There IS a system of grading convicts,
that l would like 10 see given a fair trial
at this institution. II consists in grading
them according to their ages, habits dis
positions and according 10 their conduct
in the prison Young men and mere boys
who find their way into the peniteniary
should not be allowed TO associate with
those who have graduated in crime They
should be separated from the common
herd. and required to attend school fixed
number of hours each day during the week.
Others who are susceptible of receiving
instruction and moral training should also
be given the opportunity to do so. If the
penitentiary is to be conducted on the the
ory of a reformatory. If, however. II IS
to be conducted as a place of punishment
only. then there is no need for classification
Of any kind.
Another step in the work of reforming
the convlcts would be 20 require all re-
ceived 10 wear the prison stripes for one
year. at the end of which time those who
have merited it by their good conduct
should be given a different and less con-
spicuous uniform. and at the second year
a uniform still less conspicuous. In addi-
ton TO the uniform. those who advance
step by step should be given other advan-
tages not given those who do not ad-
vance"
PRISONS DO NOT REFORM.
W arden van ltlt lOeS lot dl'plpNt VI
conducting a prison as a reformatory. He
has been taught by his experience Of seven
years that the purpose of such an institu-
ton should be simply the punishment Of
v!ola,ors of the law He stated 10 the
Register reporter that the reform idea is
failure It improves the condition of the
prisoner while he is in confinement. but
is rot of lasting benefit. In several cases
which he considered deserving. he assist
ed prisoners after they were released. and
in more than one instance they returned
TO the psnitentiary. a large majority of
the convicts are hardened criminals. ThcTe
who reach the prison through misfortune,
and are not really bad. are rare exceptions.
one trouble is that they are not surround
I'd by the proper influences when they are
released. and gradually drift back into old
and vicious habits and associations. Ii
some rsformatory influence took up the
convict after his discharge, results might
be different.
Warden Van Pelt is also strongly Of
opinion that there should be no politics in
the conduct of the State prison. officials
should be selected on account Of their fit
ness. and not removed except for cause.
The removal of old officials and the sub
stitution of new and inexperienced men,
is not conducive to the best interests Of
the penitenuary.