Evening star., 1901-11-23

part responsible for this showing. In the
majority of American prisons there Is
prison within prison. That Is, the cells
are in tiers facing hall bounded by the
outer shell of the building which contains
the windows. In the Philadelphia institu-
ton every cell contains window-a small
one to be sure, too narrow to see from, un-
less one looks at the sky, and much too
small to allow escape, but 1t admits direct
light and the air comes through it straight
from out of doors, not fouled by the usual
odors Of confined spaces. This window is
at the peak of the gable, and under 1t is
the door leading into the little yard. This
door itself contains window which the in
mate can open, thus admitting air and
little light. In winter the windows may all
be closed on sharp days, and steam pipe
runs through each cell, so that is it COM
monty warm enough. Men who work hard
prefer plenty of air and do not want the
steam turned on or the windows closed un-
TIL their task Is done, whereas they may
have cellmate to whom no work has been
gwen and who, because he is not keeping
warm by exercise, will complain of cold
and presently fall to fighting over it. Then
he becomes too warm and has to be cooled,
officially. 1t is not heat that causes all the
trouble, though. Sometimes it is discus
slCns on religion. A fact.
No Chance for Communication.
In those wings where, for lack of ground
room, 1t has been found needful to add
second story, thereby creating a gallery
tier, 1t is of course impossible to provide
the prisoners upstairs with yards, hence
the overhead men are led out for exercise in
the general yards of the prison. The upper
cells have ventilating shafts extending over
the yard partitions and terminating IN the
general yard beyond them. Were it not for
this arrangement the men in the lower tier
could whisper through these VentilatorS
while they were at liberty in the cell yards.
Possibly 1t will be thought that they do not
and cannot communicate with one another.
When a man has little else to occupy him
self withal that is exactly what he will set
himself to do; to talk with his neighbors.
He will tap on the wall till he attracts
the notice of the man in the next cell, and
will talk to a prisoner far away as
ten cells, through the sewer pipe that
passes down the tier. He win institute
system of raps like the Morse alphabet
and thus spell out words and sentences.
Wear Masks.
The wooden door is fastened by a latch
which the prisoner cannot reach, and
which likewise secures the iron door more
firmly. The opening is so slight that the
occupant of a cell has the merest glimpse
of the corridor, but cannot see into the
cell on the opposite side When a visit is
made to the cell of any man the guard
makes sure that the cell on the opposite
side is closed. In addition to these precau-
tons the men are masked when they go
out for exercise in the general yard. the
mask resembling that worn at fancy balls
"a piece of cloth falling over the face and
pierced only by eyeholeS. These DISCUSSES
give to the convict an uncanny and sinister
appearance. but they serve their purpose,
presumably, in preventing recognition
and thereby save the feelings of such as
have feelings.
Makes Men Gentle.
One active, good natured looking man.
seeing me produce a note book to record
oil with mil
said. IF I'd known you were coming I'd
have asked you to dinner" Then. in some
disquietude, he exclaimed, ''You haven't
got a camera, have you?" On being as
sured that L had none at hand, he picked up
his dinner which consisted of lump of
meat in pail and some bread, and was
apparently ready to enjoy himself
This man was a type of many in the
place. Separate confinement seems to
| make them more kindly and gentle. 1t
does not appear to influence their temper
or spirits to the degree that enemies of the
system declare it does. And the reports
of the institution show a truly remarkable
result in health and sanity So far from
turning the men into lunatics-as it might,
however, II the solitude were long and un-
| broken-it is declared that although there
| was one suicide last year. none of the in
mates have become insane at least during
| the several years IN which the present
warden has been in charge, and that the
death rate is the lowest of any prison in
| the United States. Last year only fourteen
| convicts died, among 1900 who were con-
| fined here.
A Private Garden.
| The time of exercise is variousy en-
! ployed. Some appear to care little whether
| they go out or not. Few Of the men take
| any interest in their bit Of ground in spite
of the fact that if they did so they could
| doubtless obtain the liberty of those places
| all day long There is one prisoner who has
! developed taste for gardening, and he is
permitted to spend practically all of his
! time out of doors. He raises flowers and