The Advocate and news., 1898-09-21
How COnViCts
Are Treated.
An Introduction to a New Life Which
Is Not Nearly So Bad as II
Is Painted.
THE TIME scAREs ALL.

The introduction OF a convict to the
penitentiary is an affair which Is never
lacking In interest to the prison officers.
The ordinary convict acts as II he Inn
agined that possibly he was to be buried
alive. He is usually very submissive
and seems surprised that he Is not
treated more severely. Everything is
new to him and few things appear as he
expected they would.
He comes into the prison Office in
charge of the Sheriff Of the county in
which he was convicted. II others are
with him he is handCuffed to another.
II alone both steel bands are used on
him. The Sheriff presents his commit
ment papers to the chief clerk, who ex-
amines them and after being satisfied
that they are In such form as to warrant
the warden in holding the prisoner, the
handouts are removed and the prepara-
tion OF the prisoner for his term Of SER
vice begins. First his height Is ascer-
tanned and general description Is noted
on the record. This description includes
his age, height, weight, place of cOnviC-
tlOn, Offense committed, length OF term,
trade or profession and other similar
information.
The chief clerk then turns him over to
the turnkey, who searches him and takes
everything Of value which he possesses.
Money and other valuables are done up
in package which Is labeled properly
and given to the chief clerk for safe
keeping. This is returned to him when
he goes out. The money may be signed
over to any one by the prisoner but 1t
must be transferred by written order so
that the disposition of the same will
appear on the prison records. The con-
victs are allowed to have no money on
theiv persons and II any is found on
them at any time 1t Is taken from them
and turned over to the warden to be kept
until the convict is released or until he
signs regular order for 1t.
He then goes to the receiving CELL OF
which there are several, and the prison
rule book Is given him to study. While
he Is 80 occupied a suit Of clothes which
will At him is selected. AS soon as con-
venient he is given bath and Is dressed
In his prison clothes. The prison ply
sician takes little while off and thor
oughly examines him. He determines
where he can work to the best advan-
tage. If possible he Is sent to some de-
partment in which he can engage In
work in which he has already had a
training but II there is no opening he
goes to the mine.
When all of the others have gotten
through with him the chaplain takes him
in hand. He secures information which
will aid in spiritually ministering to
him and also such as are needed In COM
piling statistics.
Hardly a convict is found who does
not exhibit disposition to stay out Of
the mine If possible. Many strong men
have wept like babies when they were
ordered below. 1t seems to thoroughly
frighten them In short time though
they get used to the work and don't seem
to mind going down 745 feet under
ground.
All Of the convicts are given four
cards. These are privilege cards which
entitle them to receive tobacco, go to
school, receive library books and write
letters. AS a punishment one or more
of these cards are sometimes taken up.
The average prisoner does not want to
lose either
At present the prison Is in almost per-
feet condition. The discipline is splen-
did. Warden Lands and his associates
have done their work well. They have
made an enviable record. No warranted
criticism has been heard. No scandals
have been exploited and none will be.
It is an institution which reflects great
credit on the present administration.