The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-01
RUSSIA'S PENAL SYSTEM.
Prisons Are Places of Horror to Make
One Shudder.

w. Jameson Reid, in Leslie's Weekly.
The total number OF convicts at present
quartered on Saghalien is estimated at
nearly ten thousand, and one cannot ponder
over the lot of these miserable people with
out a mingled shudder of gloom and hor-
ror. The minor malefactors are seldom
consigned TO the mines. which. in a meas
ure, is an amelioration Of their punish
ment, but Of the others It may well be
said that at the gates Of Saghalien they
may fguratively read: A hope abandon
we who enter here" No distinction is
made for age, sex or condition. The pris-
oners, so soon as they are landed, are sort
ed according to the rigor of the punish
ment to which they have been condemned.
The lesser criminals. chained and logged to
guard against possible escape. are given
occupation above ground as tillers OF the
soil or prison attendants, subject 10 the
petty whims and cruelty Of subordinate Of
ficials. Unceasing toll, curses. semi-starva-
ton, the "plet," a terrible loaded whip, is
henceforth their daily lot; but II is a bed
Of roses compared with the future condi-
ton of the more unfortunate deportees,
those guilty of really heinous crimes, and
those whom Russian of1cialdom fears even
more, political malefactors.
These prisoners, so soon as they are
landed, are assigned to a distinctive num-
Der and huddled pell nell, like a horde OF
wild beasts, into one OF the gaping holes in
the mountain sides. From that day until
death fortunately relieves their sufferings
they are confined to a life of the most alb
1ect misery, degradation and hardship. The
vast subterranean channels become popu-
lous avenues Of wild-eyed, frantic maniacs.
The most brutal immoralities are preva-
lent; children are born, but no distinction
is made for their condition.; the steel-heart-
ed overseers give them a distinctive num-
Der If they survive TO a proper age Qn-
fanticide is encouraged and abetted), and
thencefOrth, although guiltless of all crime,
then suffer the fate of their parents.
Down in the dark bowels OF the earth.
denied even a pittance or sunshine or fresh
air. these God-fOrsaken unfortunates toll
on endlessly. until first flies spirit. then
reason-hideous, s~hrunken, tortured gnomeS
and maniacs, they labor on till their doom
is happily cut short by deaths welcoming
hand. one or two, or at the utmost, i've
years of this living death prevails over the
most vigorous vitality; more often long
before that time the miserable wretch
ends all by suicide. Small wonder IL is
that most Of them live but a few months;
their deaths are reported by the overseer,
and in sickening farce the priest is sent
for, sprinkles the accused spot with water.
and in an unknown grave they are uncere-
moniously buried. Sometimes the thrill OF
liberty is too strong 20 be resisted. a sud
den frenzy TO escape lights up the embruted
breasts with the faint hope OF despair. and,
goaCed 10 fury, the holder spirits start an
instruction, overpOwer their guards, and
rush toward the shelter Of the gloomy
mountain fastness. Like mad logs they
are trailed, surrounded by soldiers, and
shot down with no conjunction. IL Is a
significant fact that such outbreaks are
but of rare occurrences; the pitiless life
underground is TO be endured as willingly
as facing the even more pitiless cruelty
Of insensible and bloody-minded task-mast-
ers above ground
Even if the jealous watch Of the guards
and ,the subsequent pursuit are evaded.
there lies before the refugee the certainty
Of a lingering death from hunger and ex-
posture. Prince Krapotkin mentions A
doctor on Saghalien who was authority Tor
the CHASTITY statement that in the satchels
Of re-captured ~convicts were found pieces
OF human flesh, and other cases OF canni-
balism have been reported. The only terri
tory near TO Saghalein, Offering a possible
method OF escape, If the prisoner is able
TO escape the drag-net OF human blood
hounds on the island itself. Is by making
the difficult passage on a raft TO the main
land. Here, in turn, the savage natives
| Gilyaks or Ainos-must be avoided, as the
government secures their assistance 5y re-
wards for the return Of all escaped con-
victs.