Evening star., 1901-11-23
''Doubling Up" and Separate Systems
Contrasted.
TIE ADVANTAGES In BOTH METHODS
Claimed for the Latter That 1t In
duces Gentleness.
THRIVING WITHOUT WORK
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
When Charles Dickens was in this coun-
try he said that he came to see two things:
The fails of Niagara and the eastern peni-
tentiary OF Pennsylvania. He was gracious
1y pleased to be pleased with the falls, but
the prison bothered him. He found one old
reprobate there who was serving long
term, whose tears and means and appeals
cut him to the heart. Crafty old cove,
that reprobate. for so soon he got out
he went to considerable trouble to get in
again. and when he had the choice he al
ways committed his crimes near Philadel-
phia, solely that he might be sent back TO
this prison. Here he spent years of his
life. and Dickens died long before he did.
Whatever the merits and demerits of the
separate system, one can no longer find a
prison in this country where the practice of
it is absolute. 1t is no longer possible to
make it so in Philadelphia because that
O-.ct moral town has increased in size and
wackedness till doubling up is necessary.
In the hospital cells and in one or two of
the others, peopled by skilled trusted
convicts who are employed together, say in
carpentry, plumbing or anything of that
sort, there are as many four beds.
And although it is understood that there
shall be no talking except during exer-
else. do you suppose the man exists who
and not say anything? Indeed, talk is
sometimes necessary, because the men will
be found at work together. and they must
consult on the way of doing the work.
There are frequent differences of opinion
respecting the opening of the ventilating
windows, and the amount of bad tobacco
that ought TO be smoked in a close room,
and the time when the steam ought to be
turned on In the pipe and other matters of
the sort, and not being free to part COM
pany in case of disagreement. the room
mates fall to fighting. Birds in their little
nests agree, but not little jail birds. After
fight there Is divorce Of the partners,
and by a provision of the law there need be
no joint occupancy of an apartment in the
hrst place IL a prisoner objects.
Around a Rotunda.
In it's architectural form the eastern pen
ttentiary differs from any other in this
country. the suggestion for it having prob
ably come from a design by Jeremy Ben
than, which he called the Panopticon, be-
cause from a central point one was sup
posed to see everything. The cells occupied
galleries in round building, like that used
In our time for panoramas. and as all OF
them opaaeG toward a central rotunda a
watchman In station opposite the top row
had the whole place under his view, for he
could look into every cell. In this Phiia-
delphia institution the cells are practically
closed by wooden doors in addition to the
gratings. and no attempt is made to inspect
all of them from any central point, but the
ten wings of the penitentiary are open to
view from the central rotunda, and no door
can open. no person can go or come without
being plainly seen by the corridor guards
Two of the newer wings do not open di.
rectly on the rotunda, but the difficulty OF
observation is overcome by placing mirrors
at such an angle that they will reflect the
Passages; therefore, the whole prison is
practically under watch of the officers.
No Hope of Escape Here.
The cells are larger and lighter thar
those of the usual prison. They are arched
and there Is small window high in the
gable of each one-too small for escape
even II escapes were attempted, which
they are not. often. for 1t is of no use tC
try to get out. There are dogs in the
yard, and there is a mighty wall forty
feet high surmounted by slate roof which
oyerhangs eighteen inches. that ever