The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-24

number of years designated in the sentence.
At present there are 800 inmates in the
institution, and it is expected that within
a few months it will reach 1000. which will
be the largest number ever confined there
at one time. In the reformatory men
from all parts of the State, some of whom
have the marks of long years of criminal
life upon their faces, while others, if not
dressed in prison garb, would never be
taken for criminals.
The superintendent of the institution is
w. II. Whitaker, who assumed his duties
July 1 OF last year. He is well qualified
TO manage a place of this kind, for he
thoroughly understands the sensibilities of
the men under his charge, does not humili
ate them constantly by making them feel
their position, but in all cases appeals TO
their manhood and honor, and so has little
trouble with the men.
His experience in dealing with these men
is the same as that of everybody else who
desires to treat such men with kindness.
1t is found that all convicts have GER
tain amount of personal pride, and If this
is appealed to they can be controlled very
easily.
Nj. NJ Barnard, who is assistant superin-
tendent, formerly served in this capacity
at the penitentiary at Michigan City, or
the Prison North, as 1t is known. He has
also had much experience in dealing with
criminals and is a man of a very kindly
disposition. His duties are to, look after
infraction of the rules on the part of the
inmates is Immediately reported to him.
If it is the offenders first time before him
he will mildly adm0nish him and point out
him how he is injuring his own chances
of an early release by breaking the rules
Of the prison,
If the prisoner persists in not obeying the
rules Mr.. Barnard gives him another
chance, but he will make his lecture
stronger, and the third time the man
comes before him he will see that he is
IL .4-l..~
Assistant Superintendent Barnards Of
fee is in the hospital building. 1t is
bright, cheerful-looking place and is spot
lessly clean, as is everything else around
the Reformatory. IL can be easily ascer-
tained that the prime object of both the
superintendent is to impress upon the in
mates the necessity of obeying the rules
an early discharge. In their object they
have succeeded remarkably WELL and il is
seldom that an inmate has TO be called
before Mr.. Barnard more than once.
IN PERFECT ORDER.
Everything about the place, even to the
grounds, is kept in perfect order and the
neatness which prevails is one of the first
things that attracts the attention of Wis
itor In the kitchen a large number Of
cooks are employed. and. of course it
takes great quantities of food TO provide
for the inmates. Everything about the
Nltchen Is perfectly clean, ana there IL not
a spot upon the smooth. shining hardwood
floor. In the dining room everything dur
ing meal times is conducted with military
precision. The men march into the large.
spacious hall, which has a seating capacity
of leo. The room is filled with long tables
and at these the prisoners seat themselves
without a word being spoken.
The men eat the food set before them
with a relish for the bill of fare, or menu,
is changed from day TO day. Each man is
given his allowance of food, which is more
than sufficient TO satisfy his hunger and he
is allowed all the coffee he wants The
character of the meals is not in the least
uniform and there are all kinds of dishes
set before the men.
on a particular day for breakfast there
was fried liver, and OF this il required $50
pounds. With q liver gravy, bread. coffee
and sugar were served. At dinner there
roast beef, of which there was 525
pounds. brown gravy. roasted potatoes and
corn bread; and for supper the inmates had