New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-20
4 MODEL FRENCH PRISON.
Institution at Fresnes scith Electric
Iigkfs. Sho7cer Bath and Lectures.

A.a cost Of SEQ Oe tho French Government has
built a model prison. which is the largest OF the
cellular or separate confinement. -ype In the woflo
u Is al Fresscs about eight miles from Paris ano
its five huge rectangular blocks together WIN 'ne
exercise grounds Uarden's quarters ana garoens'
cover ha,f a square mile n is the pride OF the
French Department OF Prisons and many Anerl-
cans who arc interested in criminology have been
permitted 90 visit IL during the two years n mas
been open.
Freenes IS prison Tor short term convicts, and
receives All males convicted and sentenced 70 short
terms in thc Department u the Seine II succeeds
-irec old fashioned estabishrncnts-Mazas' 81
pelacse and lie Grande Rouquette. These prisons
were ola fashioned with Door sanitary systems and
many dark and urhcalthful cells. In the new prison
one cell is as bright and healthfui as any other.
because the star shaped construction has been done
away with.
Tho main prison NJ Fresnes consists OF three
large balls stone built parallel 70 one another and
connected bz q Hsectiuc gallery. Between the halls
nrc the exercise yards. each containing sixty COM
rartments. for even in exercise the prisoners are
not permitted one another Above each set OF
compartments IS a bridge. from which the warder
or guard watches the prisoners and Is himself
watched by his sUperiors.
The cells are larger and better equipped than one
would expect Il prison. They are Is by feet and
feet inches in height Fixed 10 the wall. against
which Il folds when In use. Is an iron bedstead
Besides. there Is a sable Fixed 10 the floor ana
chair attached 20 the wall by a chain. Each cell is
uGhted by electricity and provided with running
water In each there IS a large window OF non
uzrarert glass. which admits plenty OF light.
but allows view 81 the earth. 1t be opened
a. tho top. permitting the prisoner 20 study the
skv when BE needs change OF view. and admit
ding all the air that is necessary 10 his comfort
The floors OF the cell Of caA and the walls are
eramelled in white Strange as Il may seem. each
cell IS provided with electric boil. BY which the
officer In charge may be summoned. nor is this
unusual luxury abused.
The prison has capacity Tor 1924 Prisoners IN
separate confinement, and for emergency four hun
dred be Imprisoned ~ association. There are IN
another building. U.s. cells Z the temporary
5ourn OF long term prisoners who are about 20 be
Transferred ported 20 colonial prisons. This
gives prison capacity for more than two thou
sand
The administration block is a large one and
completely equipped. The Offices kitchen. stores
and machinery plants are separate floors. There
is most complete system OF electric trans, which
carry food stores and even sick prisoners TO any
part or the prison. Two meals. cooked by prison
ers who are under extremely short sentences are
served each day. at a. m and $50 p. m. Break
fast consists OF soup and bread. The dinners are
rnore elaborate and varied.
The confinement IS separate. almost solitary. and
with the exception OF the few employed in the
kitchen and laundry the prisoners never see one
another They DO not leave their cells for any
purpose with face or head uncovered. When they
go OUT Tor exercise 10 receive visitors IN the little
ceI-l.ke parFors. OF which there six the
ground feo- of each hail. they a hood OF
white mesh. The hood Is pointed, and comes down
over Tire shoulders suggesting nothing much
LauEmau's cap.
The most interesting building within the Fresnes
Enclosure is the cLapcschool with its - sittings.
separate and covered. From these boxes The pris-
onc-s can see the priest lecturer and nothing
more Attendance religious service is not oblig-
afor-. and though tLere is room IN the chapel for
only one-siN,h o. the number OF prisoners. the ca
raory has been found ample.
In the last year an interesting experiment has
been conducted Bog tEe Paris Society FOR Lecturing
ir Prisons. Lecturers are sent al frequent inter
-als. and such prisoners desire may attend The
.sI of drEllkeuuess is ldyOrite topic. and the
-h#ritIes believe that the lectures have had
influence Cl the olmiuutiOn Of crime, which
France has been marked Of late. such a lecture
with the audience peerlug out OF separate boxes
through four inch openings Is indeed strange
sight
some prisoners by choosing the separate contine-
mcEt are able TO reduce their sentence One-fOurth.
nur tEg severity Of ihe punishment hardly makes
up for tle shorter term. An English prison expert
who has made extensive study Of the French
system has this say about
The perpetual wearing OF Tie hood 70 prevent