The record-union., 1898-12-04
THE STATES
PENITENTIAPIES.
Prison Directors File Their Bien-
NAL Report
A Supplemental One by Director Devlin-War-
den AulPs Report on the
Folsom Prison.

The biennial report of the State Board
of Prison Directors was yesterday filed
IN the Governors office. and is, owing
to the reforms recommended or sug-
gested, of great interest.
But In dealing with some of the
questions of reform Director r. T. Dew
lin dissents. He protests against the
adoption of an indeterminate sentence
system in the State, except as apply
ing to a specific class of. criminals,
though the system is recommended by
the other four directors, Messrs, Fitz-
gerald, Ray, Wilkins and Hayes.
On several other matters Director
Devlin went further than his fellows re-
specting recommendations. Instead,
therefore. of joining with them in their
report, he has submitted a supplement-
ary report embodying his own recon-
mendations, and concurring with some
of those made by the other four mem
bers
The report to the Governor, as pre-
pared and signed by Messrs. Fitzgerald,
Ray, Wilkins and Hayes, follows:
THE MAJORITY REPORT.
I'VE have endeavored to promote
strict economy and business thrift in
the administration of both institutions,
and in our judgment they are conduct
ed on as close rules Of economy as the
best interests of the State will permit.
We have not only lived within the ap-
preparations allowed by the Legislature,
but have in addition saved enough to
make a number of much needed per-
manent Improvements, without request
al q A
these may be mentioned the new
kitchen, with modern cooking plant,
and new wharf at San Quentin
Prison
''The discipline enforced among the
convicts will compare favorably, we
believe, with that of any similar insti-
tuition in the United States. In the
care of these unfortunate wards OF the
State radical reforms are possible,
which we are unable to put into opera
ton under existing conditions. Fore
most among these is a careful classi-
1ication of prisoners and the absolute
segregation of the totally depraved
class from those who are young in vice
and with whom there is a reasonable
hope of final reformation. To carry
out our views in this direction would
buildings, the introduction of new in
dustries and heavy expenditure of
money. Probably it is larger ques-
tion, from a financial standpoint, than
the people are prepared to regard fa-
vorably in their present mood. How
ever, we consider it our duty to express
our opinion on this subject, trusting
that they may receive ultimate consid-
+;1,, L. IL
I'm connection with the reformation
of prisoners we call your attention to
the operation of the parole law. We
have exercised the authority conferred
on us by this Act with the utmost eau
ton, and have endeavored to extend
its provisions only to applicants worthy
Of our confidence. It is true that some
paroled prisoners have not fulfilled our
expectations, but on the whole the re-
suits have been most satisfactory. Fully
80 per cent. of the paroled prisoners
are leading Industrious and honorable
lives, fact that should go far to re-
move the remaining prejudice against
a proper exercise of this law.
"A mischievous and demoralizing fac
tor with which we are forced to con-
tend is the prevalent opium habit
among large bodies of prisoners, espe-
cially at San Quentin Prison Your
board has made the most strenuous ef-
forts to suppress the traffic in this
drug, in which we have a hearty CO.
operation Of subordinate officials; yet
we must confess that we have not been
wholly successful 1t is due in large
part to the fact that our Legislature
has failed to make the introduction of
opium into our prisons a penal offense,
though repeatedly urged to do so. Were
q sufficient severe punishment certain
for those detected in the nefarious
business, we would be in much better
position to deal with this great evil
THE care Of criminal insane, often
referred to in our reports, is still a
question of pressing urgency. We have
no proper accommodations at either
prison for the housing or treatment of
these unfortunates and the authorities
of the several insane asylums are just
ly opposed to receiving them, both
because they frequently escape from
such institutions and also exercise a
concentrating influence over other in
mates We have conferred with the
Lunacy Commission on this subject,
and join them in recommending an
appropriation for the construction of a
separate ward for the criminal insane
at Folsom Prison. We select Folsom
as the preferable site because it offers
the advantages of free light and water,
and because the States granite quar-
ries and a. probable large force of un-
employed convicts there will make the