The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-06-05
CONvICTs SUPPORT FAMILIES.
Japs Can Learn Trades And BE En-.
titled to Their Earnings.

In Japan a convict may earn
enough money while in Jail to main
tan his family. He has the best of
food and lodging. is taught a trade,
and IL he wishes pursues the study of
foreign languages.
AT Sugamo q qualified teacher in
structs the younger prisoners in read
Ing. writing and arithmetic. Prison
ers Of 20 and upward who are in Sc
clusion for the first time are taught
geography and history.
4 If on entering the prison a man de-
clares that he has knowledge OF
English he is carefully examined by
linguist and the extent Of his knowl-
edge fathomed. He Is then allowed
to pursue his studies the necessary
books being supplied by the authori-
ties. When there are several In to-
gether q teacher is obtained from
outside and lessons are given regu-
larry.
In the offices q record Of each pris-
cper Is kept during his stay. This
| serves to show whether the convict is
prompt to obey the officials, whether
he showed affection for his parents
| and relatives. whether he writes let
ters home and whether he makes
progress or not In his studies.
The main building at Sugamo is
designed in the form of O dumbbell,
the two ends being divided into FIVE
ray stars. From the central watch
stand the warder can see along the
whole Of the rays. which comprise
500 cells. And what cells. Think of
it-2o feet high and double window
ed.
| The convicts are housed In groups.
In a cell Of eight mats-all rooms in
Japan are measured by mats-12
convicts are accommodated. The
floor is covered with mushiro, or soft
mating. and on this the mems bed
cling IL spread when they are ready
to turn In. Everything is spotlessly
clean.
THE chief warder stopped before
a door at the extreme end Of the cor.
ridor. and after trying dozen keys
succeeded In throwing 1t open.'
writes a visitor. with some misgiv-
ings I entered. The room would have
gladdened the heart Of an amateur
photographer. Not q single ray of
light penetrated its walls. 1t was ven-
tilated by means OF small tubes that
ran through the cement in such a
way that they did not admit light
There are three forms of cho-
batsu (punishmenD for insurbordi-
nation, said the warder. The first is
confinement in an empty room, the
offender being compelled to sit on a
mat without moving or speaking
from morning till night. The second
form is confinement in a similar
room slightly darkened. The third
and most severe Is confinement In
this totally dark room, the maximum
punishment being FIVE days. have
never known man wish to come
here second time. he added sig
nificantly.
I'm the bamboo curing shed were
men with large. intellectual fore
heads. bright. intelligent eyes. clear
cut mouths. Only one man reminded
me Of convicts had seen in Eng
land. He was short I'm stature. the
eyes were small and obliQue. the
forehead narrow and receding the
ears large and the jowls fabby. His
crime was mansalughter.
He was the chief actor in drama
of Jealousy that was played to fa-
tai finish In one OF the novels Of To-
kios East End. A faithless wife, q
hypocritical friend, surprise, and In
the narrow hovel q fight to the death
had been waged, the guilty wife the
only witness. He did not look up as
passed him. this humble Othello
With marvellous dexterity he was
fashioning In bamboo an angel with
outstretched wings"
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