Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1906-03-15
&c - - rRIsoNrR.

Nh Converse With CelImases and
allowed Other Liberties.
There Is nothing inhnman IA the
treatment OF United States prisoners
IN the peniientiaries ana fatfs be-
loaging TO the government. Pun
i-hment Is far lighter than most
men think II ought 10 be. and if a
prisoner half way behaves himself
he IS better cared for and Iacre
kindly treated than he would be
outside the great stone walls.
Despite the fact that average cost
per day TO feed a prisoner is IL
cents the daily bill OF fare IS FAR
above that found in many thousands
OF homes In every State in the coan-
try II equals that OF the working
mans home The cheapness l. due
wholly 10 the fact that the govern
ment raises much OF It's own yege-
tables and some OF ITS meat. and that
the work Is all done BY prisoners.
In most penitentiaries the cook Is
a saiaried officer. while all those nm
der him are convicts except the prl-
son baker. The cook receives from
the steward and storekeeper all the
provisions for cooking in sufficient
time 70 prepare them thoroughly,
and one OF the strict PROVISIONS is
that 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 I'm the
Kitchen. and must see that II 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 hair 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 OF laughing or gazing about
are forbidden. Eating or drinking
before or after the bell sounds. us
Ing vinegar In the drinking water or
putting meat on the table are pro-
hibited
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 cup; If meat. a
fork; II soup, spoon; IL vegetables,
a 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 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 to 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 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 to free
persons. Insolence, profanity, OBJ
scenity are not tolerated III 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 prisoner must
be kept clean. and no pictures or
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
stationery, pencils, pens, etc, unless
furnished by the officers on writing
day. Tools or weapons are forbid
den in cells or concealed on the per-
SON This includes 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-
necessG. .ly jostle or brush against
another prisoner with the intention
of annoying him or provoking him
10 anger. Making faces or gestures
as Insults will not be tolerated. and
ali sorts OF tricks are frowned upon.
Ia talking with an officer or guard
the prisoner must use the title
MIR. with Sir" sprinkled in be-
tween. This must be at two PAGES
distant. and a man must not walk
in between two guards or officers
who are talking. st. Louis Re-
public.