Evening journal., 1901-08-21

is building at Greenbank at cost of
$4,000 IS a prison reformatOry OF
which this commonwealth may well be
proud. 1t is a sort of composite struo-
ture, combining as it does all the best
points OF modern prison construction
both as TO the comfort OF the prison.
ers who may pass time there, and as
to interior and exterior views. Work
on the building is far from being I'm
ished. but the one hundred mechanics
there now. are hammering, saving and
drilling steel with vengeance, hope
full that the institution will be ready for
the occupancy OF convict inmates be-
fore September 10, on which day the
trustees of the worEhouse have
planned to formally open the new
prison.
On an eminence overlooking the hills
of Mill Creek and Christiana hundreds.
the building is situated. Within hearing
distance pass the cars of the Peoples
Railway Company, the shout OF WHOSE
happy passengers one day will bring
sad recOllections 10 the men and
women who viii occupy the narrow
steel cells within the walls OF the
statute laws A bright green sward
slopes to the road, pretty walks soon
will traverse It. rows of growing corn
wave in an adjoining field and in gem
eral the surroundings do not indicate
the place as being a prison property;
rather the ground presents the appear
ance of well kept country place.
Building in Good Taste
1t is brick building tastefully plain
in its architectural design save as to the
dwelling which fronts the main drive
road and in which "A. S. Meserve, the
workhOuse superintendent, and his
family live This structure is con-
nected with the workhOuse proper.
and proves its relationship by the
steel barred windows which are num-
erots. some small and dainty and
others OF the regulation size. Sand
stone coping gives a pleasing touch to
the exterior.
II is In the prison, however that the
greatest interest centers. Extending
from east to west for distance of
about 400 feet and minimum depth
of 43 feet are walls four stories in
height which enclose a veritable net
work OF steel. OF course the cells oc-
cupy most of this area, but there also
is ample room for the carrying out OF
many other details incident to prison
life which the workhouse trustees have
planned well.
Entering the institution from the
left wing and just below the offices of
Mr.. Meserve. the prisoner will find
himself in the presence OF a warden
who will inquire his name and ques-
tion him concerning his past reputa-
uon. This information being duly en-
tered in the prison records, the pris-
oner will be commanded to step into
an adjoining room to disrObe and take
position under a shower bath. sixteen
OF which have been introduced as the
nrst detail OF modern prison refOrma-
ton in this State. Clean clothing or
plain brown material, somewhat OF
the weave of jean will be furnised the
men instead Of the stripes" which
now characterize them. and while their
own clothing is on the way to the
laundry on the same floor 10 be
washed. sterilized and bagged ready
FOR their reception upon the compile
ton OF their sentences. the prisoner
Will be on his way to the ground floor.
OF the institution. where cells will be
ready Tor occupancy on opening day."
Cs lis Well Furnished
Before reaching the cells one must
enter the distributing corridor. a spot
Wei named. for from it issue avenues
OF masonry and steel to every part
OF the building. 1t is circular place
we'll lighted. thoroughly ventilated
and fully protected against the escane
OF any convict. If the prisoner be a
man ne Will be taken into the west
wing Of the building where 32O of the
cells now are being put IN position.
They are steel boxes from which IL
Will be almost impossible to escape
built in tiers Of four, and further pro-
tected by steel grating, beyond which are
the thick wall and the steel barred win
dows. Every one OF the cells cOutains
a portable bed, washstand and closet
and are comfortable, considering the
the purposes for which il is in
tended. They are fitted with the or
dinary wicker door which is minus the
ugly jail lock, however, the Paulev Jail
Company having fitted every one of the
cells with locking device which may
be operated by any of the wardens
without approaching the cell which is
desired to be opened. Possibility of
the prisoners tampering with this de-
vice is prevented by the fact that the
mechanism is within steel castings and
otherwise beyond the reach of anybody
save those who are in an Official ca
pacity there.
Quarters for Youthful Criminals
In the east wing 20 cells for the oc-
cupancy Of juvenile prisoners VIII be
constructed That the youthful Grim