The Big Sandy news., 1913-07-04

Y NEWS.
and well-lighted yards which might
be provided at heavy expense. the
risk of an outbreak would be great
at all times.
The commissioners soon decided
that under the conditions the only
way to attempt the school was to
make the attendance voluntary-no
compulsory to give the men a
chance for two ours'schooling each
night. But the question Of where
and how to overcome the obstacles
mentioneF above was still unsolv-
ed. when Mr., John B. Chiffon, the
efficient warden at Eddyville, sug-
gesteS that small classes be distrib-
uted along the corridors inside the
cell houses. This plan eliminated all
danger and did not require extra
guards So on February / the plan
was put into effect at Eddyyille.
Chairs and short benches and a
blackboard for each class were pro-
vided, and these are grouped in the
widest places in the corridors, the
classes being far enough apart TO
prevent the work Of one class In
terfering with that Of another.
After brief and most successful
trial at Eddyville the plan was
brought to the reformatory at
Frankfort and put into effect. Here
the warden. Judge A. J.. G. Wells,
is working overtime to give the men
the full benefit OF the school. Judge
Wells is an enthusiast on education,
and is delighted with the results al
volunteer service in the institutions.
The Penalties Provided.
The punishments consist in filming
prisoners a portion Vf their earn
ings, putting them in solitary CON
tinement-not a dungeon. but an
isolated cell. with nothing to do and
no one to talk with. Withholding
privileges such as attending the
baseball game or the picture show,
disseminating their supply OF tobac-
co. reducing them in grade. keeping
them locked up on Sunday, etc.
During the baseball season q
game is played ever Sunday after
noon. usually between whites and
blacks. The entire population wit
nesses the games. except third-grade
prisoners and others kept In for
violation of rules. In the winter,
moving pictures OF proper subjects
take the place OF the bali games.
Both these amusements are incen-
tives to good behavior all through
the week.
A good brass band, composed of
convicts. plays every evening as the
men march from the dining rooms
to the cellhouses.
Baths are compulsory twice a
week. Shower bath equipment suf--
ficient to accommodate the men is
installed In one building.
By Investigating, we have found
number of friendless prisoners sent
up for small offenses, many OF them
railroaded through the courts in
strange communities, ignorant and
helpless Ientitled to parole. but not
knowing how to proceed. These
cases are being hunted out and are
receiving special attention. and the
effect throughout the prison is good.
The men take It as an indication
that zeal human interest peryades
the administration.
Prisoners are being constantly
by the management to pay
no fees to attorneys or others TO
work for paroles, further than a
nominal sum for preparing their pa
pers. interruptions lawyers make
his quite source OF revenue when
permitted to do SO.
at our last parole day we had the
Eases of two negroes who served
more than year for taking half
oushel OF coal from a railroad, about
cents. There was no evidence to
'how that they were habitual Grim
mails. Another case Of negro boy
With good previous record, who
lad served more than a year for
'icking up few Jumps of coal to
'urn In a room In the court house
While he and other witnesses were
compelled to wait. with the ther-
nometer below zero. II seems to
Is that the Judges should set aside
he verdicts in such cases.
Some facts about the financial |
ide of the prisons may interest the
ssociation, so / will state briefly |
hat the prisons had reached self
ustaining condition when the law
vas made effective giving the pris-
ners part OF ther earnings. The
1ddyville prison had always shown
elicit, but lately this had been cov-
red by the profits OF the Frankfort
nstitution. The law referred to is
osting about 100000 per year, but |