Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1910-02-18
Morse May Be Thankful
He's in Good Hands.
TIE ATLANTA FEDERAL PENITEETIARY
IS SAID TO Be A MODEL ISSTI-
TUITION OF IT'S KIND.

Charles W. Morse should be thank
ful-although he may now consider
II a rather thin silver lining to his
cloud--that if he was Obliged to 80
to prison II should be to one like the
Atlanta Federal penitentiary. This
prison Illustrates. in its construction
and routine Of life, what modern pen
ologists have decided to be required
in the reasonable and humane treat
ment of felons. In the construction
Of the buildings every effort was made
to have them conform to the modern
standards for the protection Of health.
The disciplinary regulations do not
forget the principle Of reformation.
and the value OF self-respeet is util
lied as a reformatory agent.
When a convict enters the prison
in sense he becomes another man
His Identity is swallowed up in n
number. He stands on a footing with
every inmate Of equal degree or un-
tested behavior and has an oppor-
tunity to start his new life right. Be
fore he takes his allotted place in the
prison life he is required to take
bath, have his hair trimmed and ex-
change his clothes for suit furnished
by the Government. The style Of his
hair cut and the character Of his
clothes illustrate the official view Of
the prisoner. His hair is trimmed,
not shaven, after the manner OF the
old school penology. The clothes, in
color and material a distinctive uni
form. are not stripes Of the old con-
viet garb, which carried with il the
odium of a social outeast. The hu-
mauistic view of Imprisonment for
crime is further recognized in the
absence Of the lockstep. When
Morse's mustache was shaved of, two
deep lines running from either side
OF his nose to the corners of his lips
were revealed. His appearance had
been changed in a marked manner
Before he is merged with the ranks
Of the first grade convicts, the pris-
oner is photographed twice. first be-
fore his hair is trimmed and his face
shaved, and the second time following
the operations. His thumb print and
the Bertillon measurements are also
taken The physical examination
follows. This has bearing on the
form Of occupation he viii be required
10 take up, for all the prisoners. un-
less physically incapable. are expected
to spend eight hours daily In labor
of some kind. He is vaccinated, II
he is fuberculous he will be sent to
the hospital. where that disease is
treated by the open air method
His social and physical status de-
termined, he has an opportunity to
express his religious preferences. He
will receive a Bible and set of the
prison rules, which state the priyi-
leges of first class prisoner. 1t is
then decided TO what form Of labor
he VIII be assigned
The occupations cover wide
range. A prisoner may be appointed
clerk or receive an opportunity to
teach In the school. or he may be put
at the trade of bricklaying or set at
work in the garden. There is ample
room for all forms OF occupation. as
the grounds around the prison are
321 acres in area.
The occupation fixed upon. the pris-
oner is assigned to cell In the di-
vision of prisoners having employ
ment similar to that in which he is to
engage. It. has been reported that
Mr. Morse would be assigned TO the
tailor shop in clerical capacity. ow-
ing TO his mental qualification and his
physical ineapaeity TO undertake
manual labor because of his age and
his lame leg
The prisoner starts with everything
in his favor. so far as life in the
prison is concerned. He is placed in
the first gTade. which entities him to
all privileges enjoyed by any of the
inmates. He is permitted 70 write
letters to his family and friends, sub
ject to the supervision Of the prison
authorities. He may have visitors,
although the frequency OF calls is
usually limited to once in two weeks.
II he is a smoker Or user of tobacco
in any other form, his tastes in this
direction will be recognized and graf.
iiied by regular allowance. The
prison library Of several thousand
volumes is at his service. He viii
also be permitted to receive maga.
zines, books and newspapers from
friends.
Occasionally he will have an op'
! portunity TO enjoy an entertainment
of some form. The entertainments
are given in the hall which is used
for the regular Sunday religious ser.
/ vices. This hall contains a modest
stage If he is musleally inclined
there may be an opportunity to ioir
the prison band.
So long as a prisoner is well be
/ hayed he retains the privileges which
are accorded him on his admission
! Should he not obey the requirement.
Of life in the first grade he will be
reduced to the second. where his priv
ileges will be somewhat curtailed
If he still is recaleitrant he will fall
into the third grade. which practical
" deprives him Of all privileges
New York Tribune.