The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-20

read or ask any questions about commit nications addressed to the convict ou- reau. Every convict knows of this trust worthy tie that binds him to the one place in the outside world where he can get help if he needs it. Each warden is required to post notice respecting such letters in conspicuous place, and 1t is as follows:
 "Wardens-Your attention is especially directed to the statute that forbids the opening and inspection of letters written by prisoners in your charge and directed to the board of convict inspectors or to any member of the said board. This statute will be rigidly inforced, and you are charged strictly not to violate the same"
 To further safeguard the prisoners, each one of them upon arriving in camp is furnished with a book of rules, and a responsible person makes him acqualnt- ed with every provision 1t contains The rules concerning punishment are very explicit and so quickly understood because of their limita tions that any violation by the warden could be detected at once and reported to the proper authorities The standard instrument for punishment Is a leather strap about four feet long ] and three and one-half inches wide, and i of a weight and thickness that prevent it from cutting the flesh when the ex-
  lations 1n inflicted.
 Rules for Punishment.
 Here are the rules for punishment:
 No punishment shall be inflicted upon any convict except at the prison, ana then it must be done in private
 No instrument of punishment shall De carried where the convicts are at Wor1 bv any guard or other person under any pretense whatever.
 No corporal punishment shall be 1n- fiicted upon any convict except Wnlie lying upon the floor or ground, and ne shall not be held or confined in any way while being punished except where ms re- sistance makes 1t absolutely necessary. In case it is necessary, he may be held or handcuffed, but in no case shall he pc tied or chained
 For gross misconduct: for violation of the rules; wilful disobedience, or per sistent neglect of duty, or refusal to worA' convicts may be punished in one or the following modes, and none other;
 By whipping, not to exceed 10 lashes, to be administered over the clothing usu- ally worn by the person ana Wltn an lh- strument prescribed by the president; provided that no convict shall De Whipped upon the same day upon which the onense for which he is punished was committed. nor on Sunday; and provided further, that no convict shall be whipped more than once for the same offense. or more than once on the same day.
 By solitary confinement on a diet or bread and water for not exceeding 90 days at one time, provided that any convict undergoing this punishment shall be ex- amined daily after the third day by competent physician, who shall determine whether or not he is able to bear the punishment, and who may direct 1t to be modified or terminated.
 Attempted Escapes.
 For escapes, attempts to escape, per sistent insubordination or outrageous con- duct any inspector may order the inf1ic- ton of a severer punishment not to ex- ceed 2l lashes on the bare back, pro- yided that in such case the order shall be made in writing, and shall be reported by the officer making it to the next meet ing of the board, with the reasons there for; provided further that the inspector who makes such order must himself wit ness the execution of the order and see that no cruelty is inflicted.
 The record of punishment must be kept in a wel-bound book and must be written with pen and ink, and not with pencil
 The name of every convict punished, with the date, cause and amount of pun ishment shall be reported on the monthly reports every month, and if convict shall be punished more than once in the