The Advance., 1899-11-02

A portion OF each day and evening each in
mate is required to attend schools of letters and
other branches of education, attend lectures,
take partin debates upon many questions, scien-
tifc and others. Every day there are military
exercises, In which all who are physically able
take part. Gymnastic exercises form part of
the daily drilling. Much of the work done is
destroyed or torn down after it is finished and
all gone over again. Skilled instructors are
employed in each department, and some of the
work done by the inmates is equal to that exc
cuted in the regular branches of trade outside.
Men are selected for each class or department
for that kind of work which they are mentally
or otherwise best fitted for. The strictest dis
cipiine is observed everywhere, no talking
among inmates, no shirking of duties, no idle
ness permitted, but every one expected to do
his very best at sill times and in all places, or
suffer the consequences in some way. In this
way, prisoner may obtain in a few years fair
school education, or become proficient in some
occupation that will enable him to earn good
living in the outside world after he leaves the
institution
Most of the sentences to the Institution are of
the "indeterminate" character, and the length
of time an inmate serves there depends largely
upon himself. By strict obedience to orders,
work, and the Efforts he makes in school and
elsewhere. he may shorten the term of his de-
tention very materially. Every infraction of
discipline and default is charged up against
him, and all charges may be wiped out at GER
tain times by subsequent good conduct. There
are three principal grades, besides sub-grades
among the inmates. Each Of these grades are
to a certain extent treated differently, in cloth
ing, food and privileges. On entering the in
stitution the prisoner is assigned to the " inter-
medary" grade, and his future grade depends
upon his conduct. If good, he is advanced to
higher grade if bad he is assigned to low
er one If his conduct while in low grade is
worthy, he is after due trial. restored to the in
termediary or upper class as the circumstances
may warrant Tae clothing in each grade is
different and conspicuous, and one passing
through the institution can tell to which grade
an inmate belongs. All prisoners are known by
their numbers and not by name, except on the
books of the institution. The number of each
inmate is conspicuously displayed on his back,
80 that all may see it, Visitors are not permit
ted to talk to inmates, except they have first
received a written permit from the Office We
were sorry to see one young man there who had
been in the New-Jersey Reform School, but we
were not permitted to speak to him, or he to us,
as he evidently wanted to. The prisoners are
kept all day and evening at work, or in school,
or other exercises. There is no running around
on a playground, and no communication be-
| tween inmates. All is serious business. At
night they are locked into cells of about four
| by eight feet in sizs-all alone!
There is very little sickness in the institution.
All have the requisite exercise needed for their
health and growth-the greatest care being
taken of them in this respect. The shops,
school, lecture, and dining-rooms are ample.
There is large parade-ground for military ex-
ercises in good weather, and fine large room
in which whole regiment may go through a
battalion-drill when the weather is bad. The
hospital and kitchens seemed to be well an.
pointed, and contain every convenience desired.