Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-28
HOTEL" FOR CONvICTS.
Pleasures of New Prison for Habit
ual Criminals.

From the London Weekly Dispatch.
An important step forward in the re-
form of our penal system is marked by
the erection at Camp Hill. Parkhurst,
Just inside the eastern end of Parkhurst
Forest. of the new prison for the treat
ment of habitual criminals whose re-
form will he attempted by means of in
determinate sentences, and a more HUI
name treatment of those who show q
disposition to return to the paths Of
virtue. even TO the extent of monetary
recompense for prison duty we'll and
faithfully performed.
Band concerts and nature study lee
lures have, under the home secretary
ship of Mr.. Winston Churchill. brighten
ed the lot of the iOO-odd prisoners in
the old convict prison hard by the new
penal establishment, but this is small
concession compared with the delights
of a daily social intercourse at meals
and literary and other recreation which
will he the pleasant experience of the
prisoners in what has been described as
the new prison hotel at Camp Hill. the
first part of which is practically COM
pleted and will be shortly ready for the
first batch of fifty prisoners who are ex'
pected to take up their quarters there
early in the new year.
Another still more humanizing feature
of the new prison will be the fact that
with their prison earnings the we'll be-
haved convicts will be allowed the use
of a dry" canteen. where they will be
able TO supplement their regulation fare
with table dainties of various kinds, al
though they will not be allowed TO in
dulge with pipe and glass in true can
teen style. No money will change hands
at the canteen. which will be conducte1
the Il - IT, system. and the cost of
purchases will be deducted from the
official gratuties earned by the canteen
patrons.
In ad6itiau tn tho priyiIege of assOcia-
ton at meals and recreation. etc. the
prisoners will have some suggestion of
home life in their cells. which are fin
ished in bright colors and are splend. dly
lighted with quite large cottage sash
windows of clear glass, which can be
thrown up or pulled down at will by
the occupant of the cell. There is.
however a steel grid outside 70 prevent
escape
Through some of these windows the
convic,s will he able TO catch glimpses
of the outside world and of the charm
ing sylvan glades of the forest. Much
Of the prisoners time will he occupie
in the cultivation of extensive garden
and farm lands. which now being
cleared OF trees and other forest grow h
IN preparation for the new establish
ment.
The new prison will accommodate near
ly 800 prisoners in five prison halls. four
Of them two-story buildings and he
other of one story only. There is "A p is
oners' Canteen, about the SIZE of a cot
tage room. and an attractive loo in :
bakery and cookhouse, beautifully fitte /
with all the latest convenIenceS for at
tanning perfection in the culinary art.
No epicurean convict need fear that his
food will not be cooked To ncety here.
The two-story prison blocks will each
accommodate fifty prisoners, whose
apartments run along on either side Of
the central hall. At the end II each
floor is the association hall. wher n .
meals will be partaken of by the board
Crs famille what time they q scuSs
the weather and the harlships that