The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-01-08

Illinois state prison at Joliet are cores
pondence with friends, which must
necessarilyibe limited as to the number OF
letters write by them, but is not, as
rule, to the number received by them;
stated intervals, and smoking, while
special basket of fruit and other eatables
is permitted on holidays. On the Fourth
of July the prisoners are permitted to
congregate in the yard during the morn
ing, which to them Is a great privilege
and looked longingly forward to. during
the entire. year. On Thanksgiving Day
it is customary to give concert or other
neutrality-suspicious. in the chapel, pro-
fessional talent being engaged for that
occasion. =
AMUSEMENT FOR THE INCAR-
CERATED.
TAs usual thing two prisoners are In
each.cell, and they are permitted to play
checkers, chess, dominoes and puzzles.
There issgenerally a choir and orchestra,
which any prisoner may join who is of
good behavior and has any musical
talent. Evenings of each week are set
aside for rehearsals. Prisoners furnish
the music for. regular Sunday chapel ser
vices.
Sorneiprisoners show an inclination to
special studies or work .'oataof hours !"
Toasuch are given reasonable assistance
and special privileges when circumstances
warrant.
There fare prisons in America where
the-inmates are graded according to con-
duct and ability, but more generally ac-
cording to degree of crime. In such
prisons what are called "paroles" are
granted to such as Fare deserving. Such
paroles.do not imply freedom from prison
but freedom from irksome duties-in
small degree, itiisItrue, but to those who
appreciate it, it comes as q most welcome
guest. AT such prisons the character and
habits of those communicable them fare
studied and the wardens rarely make a
mistake in knowledge of whom t o trust
and how far to trust him. This system
in such institutions as the Minnesota
state prisonsa wider Grange of pleasure is
allowed the inmates. Minnesota has ten
holidays, and in addition to the amuse-
ments already mentioned her state prison
grants several hours of free and unre-
stricted association in the large buildings
in which.all can walk talk, jump, sing
and otherwise amuse themselves, the only
restriction being that they shall refrain
from quarreling or rough conduct. So
we'll is this obeyed that the authorities
there have never had single instance in
which vicious spirit has been shown or
advantage taken Of the privilege allowed
them. In the summer season football,
wrestling. tugs of war. or similar sports
are permitted. IS es
MINNESOTA PRISON RULES.
At the Minnesota prison there is a we'll
organized school under the management
of the superintendent of 1.-THE Saltwater
public. schools eight months in the year.
and also Chautauqua Circle,under the
direction and management OF the prison
chaplain. This latter is conducted con-
tinuously and is carried on under the
same conditions as the national Chau-
tauqua. The knowledge there impaired
and. the temporary freedom allowed by
the system of parole stimulates the pris-
oner in his efforts TO overcome his weak
ness and in the cultivation of habits OF
industry, good order and manly conduct.
Under such stimulus the whole atmos-
phere of the prison is raised to a higher
plane.
The prison at jackson, Mich, Classics
it's inmates into three grades, first, Sec
ond and third. Privileges are granted
to the first, and second grades for sgood
conduct. These privileges consist in al
lowing prisoners to have the yardsinside
the walls for games from 5 to p. m.
under certain restrictions. At this time
any who desire may run races, play ball,
and such other amusements as are helpful
and in accord with good disoipline. There
is a prison band, for which the state fur
nishes the instruments, and on occasions
such as noted the band furnishes the
music. There are four organized literary
societies under the control of an officer
Of the prison, each society holding one
meeting in the evening every two weeks.
The eastern state penitentiary at Phila-
delphia does not provide for any amuse-
ments or pleasures or play for exercise.
Prisoners are not associated for any pur-
pose, and each inmate occupies room
by 16 by II feet, with yard attached of
about the same size for exercise. All are
allowed to use this yard an hour every
morning. Allswork done here by the
prisoner is brought to his room. This is
called the individual treatment.
CONCERTS AT SING SING.
New York's great prison at Sing Sing
permits its inmates to have musical in
struments Of various kinds to play upon
in their cells. ON every holiday they also
have a concert or variety entertainment.
There are two choirs, one Protestant and
one Catholic, who sing during service on
Sunday at their different services. They
have good orchestra and play for all at
appropriate. occasions. No outdoor games
or NAV have hpen parmitted Convict