The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-16
SPANKING THE CONVICTS
How the Warden OF the Colorado
PenItentiary Keeps Order.

Penitenttary Keeps Order.
New York. July 15.-The Denver cores
pendent of the World thus describes the
spanking system in use in the Colorado
penitentiary: Warden Hoyt of the Can
on City penitentiary does not use
spanking machine in dIsciplining pris-
oners. as widely reported. but plain bar
rel stave. the victim being turned face
down over a table during the period of
punishment.
This style of punishment has been used
by Mr.. Hoyt for several months before he
made a report to the state authorities. It
was so successful that the system was in
troduced into other state institutions. It
has vastly improved the discipline in all
of them.
From the earliest criminal history OF the
state there has been a continual outcry
against cruelties and alleged outrages
committed on obstreperous prisoners. Be
fore Warden Hoyt's time the favOrite
punishment among the wardens and su-
perintendents OF institutions was starva-
ton and the dungeon, varied by tying up
by the thumbs for men and boys and de-
luging with cold water for women and
girls. In every institution there were
harsh methods OF punishment had to be
practiced continually. Not the slightest
1improvefhent was noticeable. A man
would come out of the dungeon famIshed.
III. and very sulky The great pain OF the
thumb-screws only made stubborn pris-
oners more like animals In their desire for
revenge. Bad-tempered women would go
through the cold-water treatment and af-
terward be more like devils than before. 4
Warden Hoyts study Of the subject
showed him that obstreperous prisoners
should be treated like children at home.
4 well-fed boy who commits an offense
IS fiogged by his father who then talks to
him in a repentant frame of mind. Hoyt
determined to try the same treatment on
his wards. He argued that a convict was
a man who had lost most of his self-re-
spect. II this could be regained punish
ment would have vastly greater effect.
His method is to send n subject for
punishment to his office at once, where
ne is given a lecture the intent being to
make him ashamed OF himself An as
sistant Is called I'm and the man or wo- |
man is tied across n narrow table. with |
hands and, feet pinioned TO the floor. A |
double barrel stave which makes lots Of |
noise. Is then used in n lively fashion by |
the assistant. The prisoner at the next |
meal time IS Isolated from the other pris- |
oners and given to eat the best that the /
institution affords. and all he can eat. He /
IS admonished that 70 rthe sake OF the /
institution and the feelings Of those In
control. as we'll as for his own self-re-
spect. the offense be not repeated
nF ha hor f=Nf
easily reached the other prisoners. but
this was all that was ever known about
II. a strict Injunction Is given to the /
guards not to mention the culprit TO the
other prisoners. The wardens idea IL tn
make n serious matter Of II. The bodily
suffering and mental worriment he aims
to soothe by making the prisoner believe
that Hoyt Is really his friend and feels
the pride OF father in any improvement
shown in an obstreperous son.
Al first the warden was a very busy
man attending 10 petty ofenSes by
spanking. but at present the discipline Is
good that punishment Of any kind is rare
~ used.
a rev prisoner. however bad his record
and nature. s. quickly informed by other
convictz what the rules are. a certain
pride in making matters run smoothly
has been incuIcucated in the inmates. and
Warden Hoyt's duties are much lishiened.
At tho other state institutions the plan
has worked equally well after the meth
DDS Of the inventor had been studied. II
has been found that q great deal OF tact
had 70 b. displayed. Some OF the war
deus ard sunerintendents al first made a
failure Of the spanking pan. becauEe
thew did not see the importance 81 max
ing friends wit hthe Unruly prisoner. hut.
finally. after much correspondence and
visits from Mr.. Hoyt. every state institu-
lions administers only Tire spanking treat
nent. and with complete success-
At the state Industrial Home for Girls
situated a. Denver. where thirtv-eighf
girls are now confined. generally for in-
corrig;biHtv. before the sparkling plan
was introduced. there was constant tur-
uaH. Lack Of tact displayed by rnatToa
as.4r unatron vas responsible Tor Etste
% anarchy which pecessItated n many
cases almost constant confinement IN
dungeons. With al lie bad snscss- TIE
QUESTION % the crueitieS p-aeticea AZ 'hfs
institution was tTr5ce made n state scan
dai. and orce ias; spring the news % The
treatment accorded thu unfortunate girls
suread oxe- the whole country
A. present everything e running Ike
rieeSurork At the girls school,. an -
Cause kind trsafnsr; snd the EFaakfrg
a;a. have ben n use sof eight rso1fhs
you-zs.oEn. Ohio. July Ts.-JBtge Z. W
King. a pro-aDent tszysr an4 Rssuslcsn