The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-12-14
fnH UNITED STATES PRISONER.


Allowed Other Liberties,
There is nothing inhuman in the
treatment of United States prisoners
I'm the penitentiaries and iails be-
longing to the government. Pun-
ishment is far lighter than most
men think It ought to be, and II
prisoner half way behaves himself
he is better cared for and more
kindly treated than he would be
outside the great stone walls.
Despite the fact that average cost
per day to feed prisoner is ii
cents the daily bill of fare is far
above that found in many thousands
Of homes in every State In the coun.
try. II equals that of the working
mans home. The cheapness is due
wholly to the fact that the govern
ment raises much of its own vege-
tables and some OF It's meat, and that
the work is all done by prisoners.
In most penitentiarioo the cook IA
n salaried officer, while all those un-
der him are convicts except the pri.
son baker. The cook receives from
the steward and storekeeper all the
provisions for cooking in sufficient
time to prepare them thoroughly.
and one of the strict provisions is
chat the food shall be carefully pre-
pared. He is required to reject any
food that is not wholesome, and Is
sustained when he does so. He is
responsible for the discipline in the
kitchen, and must see that It IS kept
In the best sanitary condition.
No prisoner entitled to food is
prevented from getting as much as
he wants. All prisoners are seated
IN one dining hail. Their positions
must be erect. their arms folded and
their eyes to the front until the
signal is given to commence eating.
Strict silence must be observed dur
Ing the meal. Staring at visitors,
talking or laughing or gazing about
are forbidden. Eating or drinking
before or after the bell sounds, u.s.
Ing vinegar in the drinking water or
putting meat on the table are pro-
hibltcd.
A man who wants more food
makes his wants known to the many
walters by signals--if bread, hold
Ing up the right hand; If coffee or
water, hold up a cup; If meat,
fork; II soup, a spoon; If vegetables,
knife. If It Is necessary to speak
to an officer about the food or SER
vice the left hand is held up and the
officer goes forward and listens to
what is said,
Wastefulness In food Is prohibi-
ted. and a prisoner is required to
prevent the waiter placing more
food on his plate than he can eat.
At the conclusion OF the meal pieces
OF bread must be left on the left side
of the plate and knives, forks and
spoons on the right side.
When a prisoner Is admitted 20 a
penitentiary he is handed the print
ed rules and regulations. He is in
formed that by observing and obey
Ing them he can make a good record
as a prisoner, secure parole and
other privileges and the shortening
of his sentence.
The first requirement is that a
prisoner shall obey the orders OF
officers without reply or argument.
The next is to be quiet everywhere
and at all times There must be no
talking to a fellow-prisoner while in
line or marching, at meals, In the
chapel or at work, except when per-
mission is given by an officer or
guard. The same rules apply 10 free
persons. Insolence, profanity, OBJ
scenity are not tolerated. II a man
has a cellmate he can talk to him,
but in low tones. Men In other cells
must not be talked to, and whistling
singing or other noises are forbid
den.
The person, bedding, clothes. cell
and library books of a prisoner must
be kept clean, and no pictures OF
{ writing are allowed upon the walls
Working in undershirt Is prohibited
! A man found In the wrong cell Is
punished, and no man can have In
his cell either money, jewelry, post
age stamps or valuables, not even
]
! furnished by the officers on writing
day. Tools or weapons are forbid
den in cells or concealed on the per
son. This includes a knife. against
which the rules are unusually strict
Prisoners are required not to be
insolent or rowdy in walk, manner
or gestures, and are forbidden to un'
necessarily jostle or brush against
another prisoner with the intention
| OF annoying him or provoking him
to anger. Making faces or gestures
as insults will not be tolerated, and
all sorts of tricks are frowned upon
In talking with an officer or guard
the prisoner must use the title
Mr." with "Sir" sprinkled In be-
tween. This must be at two PAGES
distant, and man must not walk
/ in between two guards or officers
who are talking.-St. Louis Re
public.