The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1909-06-19
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With this conception of the dutv of
the state toward those convicted OF
crime an intelligent treatment Of the
prison problem has resulted in changes
OF methods, frequently revolutionary,
but always progressive, which have
proven effective to a remarkable de.
gree. 1t is only necessary to enumer.
ate some of the more important re-
forms introduced In the last ten or
II years to show by what steps the
present standard of the prison system
of the state has been reached.
First, the prisoners We're classified
in four grades. namely: A, first
term; B, second term; c, three or
more terms; and D. habtual Grim.
inals. Under classification rules en-.
forced, first offenders and confirmed
criminals are kept separate in every
department of the prisons. Move.
ments calculated to restore the self,
respect Of the prisoners resulted in the
abolition of striped clothing and of the
custom of clipping the hair of convicts,
the substitution of military marching
for the lockstep, and replacing the old
tin-plates and cups in the mess hall
by Crockery. In the interest OF
health and more perfect sanitation
many changes have been inaugurated.
system Of numbering the shirts and
underwear of the prisoners was estab.
lished, through which each prisoner
now receives from the prison laundry
the same garments he sent IN, and the
indiscriminate distribution of gar.
ments from the laundry IS prohibited.
barbers shop is provided in each
prison workshop with individual lather
cups, manufactured in the prisons, and
individual soap for each prisoner.
Competent dentists and oCuliStS give
the prisoners teeth and eyes such
attention as they actually require.
Electric lights have replaced kero,
sene lamps in prison cells. A rule IS
enforced, whereby before any man may
work in the mess hall or kitchen he
must be examined by the prison ply
sician and have certificate showing
fectous, contagious or eruptiy9 dis.
ease The prisoners are clothed In
summer in lightweight, washable suits
A transfer system was inaugurated,
whereby as soon as any prisoner at
Auburn or Sing Sing shows signs OF
incipiont consumption he IS trans.
ferred to Clinton prison at Dannemora,
in the higher altitude and purer air
Of the Adirondack region, whore a
tuberculosis hospital has been estab,
lished The transfer system and san
itarv regulations have reduced the
prison death rate 80 per cent. in the
last decade under that of the decade
previous The Dannemora state hos.
pital. separate institution has been
established for the segregation Of the
convicted from the unconvicted in.
sane. the latter being confined at the
Matteawan asylum
The application of the indeterminate
sentence and the parole system to all
first offenders for crimes other than
murder in the first and second de-
grcaa has been one Of the most far
reaching of the reforms, bringing
about very saIutary results The par
Ole system is administered by the
state Board Of Parole Commissioners.
since September J. 1901. when the
raro,a nw vent into effect 459l ap.
pIicatiars for parole have been OK,
amtuc3 BIZ the board and LI1 rris.
.. i,,..r .Far.faf OF this mum.