Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-11-20

proving the social and economic state
0f ths people and hv probationary me'h-
ods
WIN regard to hcu treatment Of
. ,yoa,or and girls sentenced Co prison for
such crimes as theft. drunkenness, hi-
SON ga very common and serious CRIME
In japan. Whore tho tiny wooden h"use.
blaze and burn in % few minules anu
. reformufurv methods are rapidly being
employed all over tl" country. Whom !
visited ichigaya. one ot the chief pris-
ous for women iu japan, ] was very
much struck Bog the humane aud cura-
tive system that has boon organized on
recent years The nrst Impression Of the
prison contrasts markedly with one
idea of o. prison Zoo thls country.
There are no massive buildings and
glass Window with iron bars. no bare
stone foors. mo- long corridors and TINY
cells whore the prisoners spend Ions
hours Boo solitary confinement The build
inRs surround a central courtyard and
are built Of wooden ulanks or stand
ards. cage fashion. so that the prisoners
are LIVING AN opcu-air lfc day and night
The floors are covered with corn-col
ored mating and the woodwork is pol-
ishcd an every grain is visible Tho
prisoners wear pink crepe ldmonos.
which contrast with their ivory faces
and cleaning mar
We were taken to- one large room
where three rows of uiuk-clad dgurcs
were suuatting japanese fashion on pink
cushions ON the floor They greeted us
with shy smiles and soft murmurs Of
"Ohayo." the japanese Good dav." while
they simultaneously bowed their blue
black heads to the ground. Politcness
O., one OF the chief virtues IN Japan,
ana in the prisons special lessons are
given In manners and department and
classes are even held to teach the art
Of tee serving. which rs an important
ceremony with the japanese. The idea is
that whatever raises the self-respect OF
the prisoner. whatever improves her he
haNior and manners uids her rcforma-
ton. The teaching IL very comprehen-
sive Lessons are given IN weaving.
dressmaking and sewing. and we saw
some exquisite embroideries made IN tho
prison and artistic garments cut kimonO
fashion.
The prisoners work In sheds all day.
50 that the cells are practically sleep
Ing apartments and 1t has been found
that working in association under Of
hciol control makes for reform and Inn
provement Of mental and physical health.
Prison In japan is an educational agency
and the women work and are paid
wages for what they 90. Prizes and dec
orative awards are also given as an in
centive to good work ana conduct.
The japanese OF today could teach us
n great deal in the matter Of penology.
They allow their prisoners more liberty.
they show a more sympathetic interest
in their welfare than we do. Everything
Is done to teach them industry and
morality.
We visited the bathroom. which con-
tanned about 50 quaint little wooden tubs
measuring feet by feet. These are
not for washing purposes, but are a
much appreciated luxury. A Japanese
washes before entering bath. and
everybody has heard OF the custom OF
the country which makes bathing a
regular household ceremony partaken Of
In order Of precedence. Every prisoner
has 10 wash three times a day and has
a hot bath three times n week In Japan
When the prisoners have served their
sentences. arrangements are made by the
state for providing them with remunera-
tive work on discharge.