Chapter II: Section 1: Be it enacted, etc., That the active or visiting (2)

“Where a person is convicted on indictment for an offense for
which he is liable to be sent to penal servitude or imprisonment
and it appears to the Court, first, that the person is not less
than 16 nor more than 21 years of age, and second, that by reason
of his criminal tendencies or habits, or association with persons
of bad character, it is expedient that he should be subject to
detention for such a term and under such instruction and discipline
as appears most conducive to his reformation and the repression
of crime, it should be lawful for the Court, in lieu of passing a
sentence of penal servitude, or imprisonment, to pass a sentence
of detention under penal discipline in the Borstal institution for
a term not less than one year and not more than three years; and
for the purpose of this act the Secretary of State may establish
Borstal Institutions, that is to say, places where young offenders
may be given, while under detention, industrial training and
instruction.

“This Act also gives power to the Prison Commissioners to discharge
on license, such offenders as they think fitted for conditional
liberty, but no license can be granted until the offender has
served at least six months of his sentence and every offender
whether he is released on license or has served his complete
sentence, remains after his discharge under the supervision of the
Prison Commissioners for several months.

“Another part of this Act provides that young offenders sentenced
to the Borstal treatment must be of good physical and mental health
and further provides that young men, up to the age of 23 may now be
admitted to Borstal institutions.”

Having explained the Genesis of the Borstal institution and given
you an idea of the class of young men who are admitted to them,
it will be well to give some details of the daily life therein.
The Borstalian, on his arrival is bathed and given his uniform and
the Warden who receives him reads him the rules and gives him any
necessary information. Next morning he sees the Chaplain and is
examined by the Doctor and finally brought before the Governor. All
his antecedents and capabilities are inquired into; his education,
knowledge, trades, his tastes, etc., are carefully tabulated and
everything, little though it be, is taken note of for the purposes
of guiding the Authorities in directing the young man’s future.
Thus, if he has any knowledge of a trade and wishes to continue
it he is put straight at it; if he has none, but appears a likely
youth for a certain job, he is put to that job at once.

“Should he be an ignorant and hopeless kind of youth for whom
training and discipline, smartness, etc. is necessary, he is put
among those who do the housecleaning, etc., where he must work
neatly, and be quick. Every Borstalian gets physical drill every
morning for one-half hour and one hour’s gymnasium three times a
week when no fooling is allowed, for whether it be physical drill
or gymnastics, work or play, he must do his share, perform all
the exercises, every one of which has been carefully planned for
developing his physical and mental smartness.

“Education is not forgotten, for no sooner does he join the
institution than he begins to receive five hours tuition each week;
nor is he released from this until he can pass examinations which
prove him able to read with comparative ease, write intelligibly
and do simple figuring. Even then further education awaits him,
for special classes are formed on various subjects and lectures
on all topics are given in a large hall where he goes when his
behaviour and progress have been satisfactory. As magic lanterns
are frequently used to illustrate these lectures, you can readily
believe that these prove a great attraction.

“But the life at Borstal is not all work and no play for the Prison
Commissioners have recognized that if a youth must work well it is
essential that he play well, so recreation has not been forgotten.
After five months a youth of behaviour and industry can obtain
entrance to a special class and on three evenings in the week may
meet with others, to play, to read and on Saturday afternoons may
take part in football or cricket as the season serves.

“It will be seen that work, education and play all have a part in
the life at Borstal but religion is not forgotten and I know of no
religious service more impressive than some of those I have taken
part in at this institution.

“Here is the programme of the daily life at the institution. At
5:30 the prisoner arises and begins the day with a biscuit and
milk after which he cleans and tidies up his cell. At 7 o’clock he
breakfasts on bread, porridge, margarine and with tea and coffee,
if he is in the special grade. At 7:30 he is in the workshop or in
the open; and carpentering, blacksmithing, bootmaking, building,
gardening, cooking, cleaning, or laundry work, occupy him until
noon, when dinner, consisting of bread, meat, potatoes and pudding
await him. After an hour and ten minutes for dinner and rest he
resumes work which continues until 5:30 when work ceases and there
is a general parade reviewed by the Governor after which he gets
his last food for the day, generally consisting of bread and cheese
and a mug of cocoa.

“At 6:15 there is a general meeting in the Chapel when short
addresses are given by the Chaplain and others and encouraging
letters from discharged boys who are doing well are read. Then they
go to the evening classes after which there is recreation for a few
moments until 8:30 when they go to their cells and shortly after
lights are out.”

Surely this is a sensible day’s programme, a sensible system and
well applied. There are some faults in the plant but as the system
grew from a very small beginning and the buildings were added from
time to time this criticism is harsh. However, different planning
would greatly facilitate the training and decrease the cost of
maintenance. There are some in the system which are in process of
being remedied. For instance, it is proposed to lengthen the period
of licensed freedom to at least one year so that each boy can prove
himself without need of care during the four seasons.

The care given these discharged Borstalians, either on license
or having served their full time, is most admirable. They are in
charge of the Borstal Association whose agents, aided by those of
over 60 County Societies for the aid of discharged prisoners, have
an eye, a very watchful eye, upon them and who report frequently to
the Association, and a glance at their records, absolutely the most
complete, concise and convenient imaginable, one can be familiar
with the whole history of any individual. These records show,
among multitudinous other things, that aid is frequently required
to establish a boy as a self-supporting, self-respecting member
of decent society. It is seldom more than assistance in procuring
work, or a heart-to-heart “big brother” talk.

I wish every member of our committee could see these records.
Besides their primary function of recording they furnish a
wonderfully interesting human document, and a first-class text-book
on crime causes, the chances for reformation of different
characters, etc., etc., all based on the observation of the
individual, not when under restraint, but when, comparatively
speaking, a free agent.

Such records would have an incalculable value to us, if carefully
kept by the Authorities or Prison Associations of the different
States. In many places we are applying new systems, or old systems
to new conditions. New problems are almost bound to arise, as the
hordes of immigrants, reaching our shores daily, have their effect
on the national type, and without exact data as to the cause of
the failure of any system little can be done to better it, and a
better weapon to induce legislation, not to speak of individual and
corporate assistance in our work, would be hard to imagine.

What is called the full Borstal system has not been practiced long
enough for some to consider it a proven success, but the figures
here given, those for prisoners released in 1909, give cause for
bright hopes at least.

174 are at present conducting themselves satisfactorily, that is,
82 per cent.

2 are on hand, that is, as yet without permanent work.

2 are dead.

18 are unsatisfactory, irregular at work through their own fault.

1 is lost sight of, but there is no reason to think for evil.

15 have been re-convicted, all but one of which have refused two or
more chances to work at fair wages.

If 82 per cent. of our offenders were reformed our prisons would be certainly a good investment, but it is only fair to remember that not all convicted youths between 16 and 23, and no adults of any sort, are brought under this treatment. Delicate or defective physique of any sort makes it impossible. How to make a cripple or a boy with a weak heart into a self-supporting man within the limits of the short sentence such unfortunates usually receive, is very hard to see. It is too short a time to learn a trade and even the English authorities are ridiculously hampered by laws preventing convict labor excepting upon articles for State use, so that what is learned at prison is of little value out of it....

DANIEL BUCKLEY.

SUMMARY OF THE EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS OF THE EASTERN PENITENTIARY, PHILADELPHIA, PA.

This report, contained in a pamphlet of about eighty pages, with nine plates, is printed and bound within the prison.

On the first of January, 1911, the population was thus classified:--

White Males, 1,073; White Females, 18; Total White 1,091
Colored Males, 301; Colored Females, 15; Total Colored 316
Received during the year:
White Males, 287; White Females, 9; Total White received 296
Colored Males, 100; Colored Females, 5; Total Colored received 105
Remaining at the close of the year 1,350
Decrease from close of the preceding year 57
The discharges were:
By Commutation 300
By Order of Court 18
By Parole 105
By Pardon 14
By Order Managers Huntingdon Reformatory 6
By Death 14
By Expiration of Sentence 1

The inspectors report the completion of a new building containing 120 cells, for which the last Legislature appropriated $60,000.00. The actual cost was $52,698.11, and the balance of the appropriation has been turned over to the Treasury of the State. “In the erection of the building, no other than the labor of the prisoners was employed.” They also state that the results of the application of the Parole Law have been very satisfactory.

STATISTICS OF THE 401 RECEIVED IN 1911.

Number claiming this as their first imprisonment 214
Number known to have been previously imprisoned 187
---
401
Number from 15 to 30 (incl.) years of age 220
Number over 30 years of age 181
---
401
Number having trades 65
Number having no trades 336
---
401

HABITS.

Abstainers 82
Moderate drinkers 144
Occasionally intemperate 164
Intemperate 11
---
401
Number attributing their crime to drink 173
Number who do not attribute their crime to drink 228

CONJUGAL RELATIONS.

Single, 202; Married, 164; Widowed, 35; Total 401
Number having children 120
Number of children 281

NATIVITY.

Born in United States 313
Born in a foreign country 88
---
401

CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMES.

Crimes against persons 138
Crimes against property 230
Crimes against both persons and property 33
---
401

Considerable space is given to “Criminal Histories” of sixty prisoners, received in 1911, who had previously served one or more terms at the Eastern Penitentiary. The criminal records of eighteen prisoners, received in 1911, who have relatives in prison, are given.

Visits of friends and relatives (not including members of religious organizations):

Number of visits made 3,540
Number of prisoners thus visited 1,087
Number of prisoners not thus visited 721

SCHOOL REPORT.

Number in school at close of year 1910 229
Number in school at close of year 1911 270

Of the 108 illiterates received in the school, only 3 were illiterate when discharged.

The branches taught are Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, Grammar, History.

Number of students taking Correspondence courses, Dec. 31, 1911 410

LIBRARY REPORT.

Number of volumes 12,834
Books issued 60,226
Books bound during the year 1419
Pages printed at the Penitentiary Printing Press for various uses
of the Institution 717,186

The members of various religious organizations have continued their helpful visitations, and the Sabbath services have been well maintained.

The assistance of the Pennsylvania Prison Society in providing clothing for prisoners at the time of their discharge receives grateful recognition.

Cost of maintenance for the year 1911 $95,154 52
Cost of maintenance for the year 1910 99,296 70

ACCOUNTS WITH CONVICTS FOR 1911.

DR. CR.

Balance to credit of convicts January 1, 1911 $11,662 13
Cash sent by relatives and friends 25,498 38
Cash brought by convicts on entrance 789 74
Cash credited by overwork 11,861 94
Allowance 380 00
Cash deposited in Savings Banks $4,001 00
Cash paid convicts on discharge 5,592 93
Sundry goods, shoes, etc. 4,328 26
Cash paid to relatives and friends 19,943 71
Paid for tobacco, toilet articles, etc. 6,522 82
Profit and loss 1 54
Balance due convicts January 1, 1912 9,801 93
-------- ----------
$50,192 19 $50,192 19

WESTERN PENITENTIARY.

The site for the Western Penitentiary of Pennsylvania has been officially chosen by Warden John Francies and the Board of Prison Inspectors. The selection of the site is subject to the approval of Gov. John K. Tener, and is in Center County, a few miles from Bellefonte. It contains 4,878 acres of fertile agricultural land, 936 acres being part of a State forestry reservation, the rest, 3,942 acres, being held under option from a number of private landowners. The cost of the private land will be $191,655.

From the forest reservation ample wood for the construction of preliminary buildings of the new prison may be drawn. The institution will be entirely fireproof, and it is Warden Francies’ intention to have all the manual labor entailed in its construction done by his wards.

From McBride’s Gap, which forms a cleft in Nittany Mountain, will be drawn the new prison’s water supply. Warden Francies has obtained the entire watershed of McBride’s Gap Run, giving the prison absolute control of the sanitary condition of the drainage area. A beautiful roaring spring of sparkling water descends from the Gap, which has a minimum flow of 600,000 gallons of water per twenty-four hours. The water in McBride’s Gap is of a high degree of purity. The sanitary condition of the watershed, as found by engineers employed by Mr. Francies, is excellent.

It is Warden Francies’ intention to construct a huge reservoir, which will store about 70,000,000 gallons of water. Pressure will be at command at all times to amply operate the mechanical and industrial departments of the prison and meet the requirements of many homes which will be built by the State for the officers of the new prison.

In view of the fact that each of the farms embraced by the Nittany Mountain site is improved with farm houses in good state of repair, barns and other outbuildings, that the properties are well fenced, drained, and most of them have matured orchards, the average price per acre paid by the State for the twenty-two farms is considered to be remarkably cheap.

--_The Review._

REPORTS OF COUNTY JAILS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

Apparently very few counties in the State of Pennsylvania issue published reports.

In response to a request from the Society, we have received reports from 9 County Jails, from which we present the following items:

LUZERNE COUNTY--Wilkes-Barre.

Number of prisoners received during the year 1911 1788
Number on hand Dec. 31st, 1911 104
Average number per day 132½
Cost per day for boarding prisoners 12 3-5 cents
Number employed out of their cells 42

Those employed at this jail make and repair shoes, weave stockings and make mattresses. The prison conducts a regular system of daily school instruction.

Daily attendance at the school 21.

They are instructed in spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic and history.

“There was no serious breach of the rules and no punishment inflicted, or no attempt made to escape during the year.”

“The stern hand of the law must control a man by force, but the law above finds a tender spot in the heart. Appeals to the reason constrains him to choose the path of righteousness.”

CAMBRIA COUNTY--Ebensburg.

Report covers the time from March 7th, 1911, to Jan. 1st, 1912.

In that time they had received 547. Number in prison Jan. 1st, 1912, 112.

A number of improvements were made in the prison during the year, but many more improvements are needed in order to secure proper ventilation and sanitation.

LEHIGH COUNTY--Allentown.

Number committed in 1911 1123
Number in prison Dec. 31st, 1911 122
Cost of board for each prisoner per day 10.83 cents

The main industry appears to be the manufacture of carpets and striped clothing.

Gospel services are conducted weekly.

DAUPHIN COUNTY--Harrisburg.

No report received for 1911.

In 1910, the number committed was 6,373
The number Dec. 31st, 1910, was 215

With the exception of some domestic services, no industries appear to be maintained at this institution.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY--Pittsburg.

Number received during 1911 14,302
Number in prison Dec. 31st, 1911 380
Average number of prisoners each day 412
Average cost per day for food for each prisoner 6.22 cents

ALLEGHENY COUNTY WORKHOUSE--Hoboken.

Number of prisoners received during the year 1911 4,171
Number in prison at end of year 827
Average daily cost per inmate 41.91 cents
Average cost, after deducting earnings 19.01 cents
Average inmates employed per day 535
Average inmates unemployed per day 301

The sources of revenue are from the manufacture of brooms, brushes, carpets, and from the sale of farm produce, and also from boarding prisoners received from counties outside of Allegheny County.

Of the 4,171 received during the year, 2,237 were committed for the first time. There were six who had been committed each fifty times or more.

The shortest sentence was 10 days; the longest, 7 years.

2,366 were sentenced for 30 days, a very common sentence.

A night school is conducted for the benefit of illiterates, of whom 552 were received last year.

The chaplain in his report suggests that reformation would be much aided if there should be organized at Pittsburg some society with object to have the care of released prisoners.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY--Norristown.

Report for 1910--Total committed during 1911 1156
Number in prison at close of the year 147
Cost of food per day for each prisoner 9½ cents

“The night school conducted by the Society of Friends has taught many inmates to read and write.”

DELAWARE COUNTY--Media.

A very brief report received.

Average number of prisoners per day 98
Average cost per day for board for each prisoner 12 cents
They receive from articles manufactured $4,243.41
Expense of material for these articles 2,516.81
--------
Leaving profit on manufactured articles of $1,726.60
Amount of money paid to prisoners for overwork $338.00
Amount spent for tobacco for the prisoners $369.00

MONTOUR COUNTY--Danville.

Number committed during the year 54
Number in jail at close of the year ending Sept. 30th, 1911 2

LANCASTER COUNTY--Lancaster.

Number of prisoners received during 1911 1,324
Number on hand at the end of the year 94
Cost per day for boarding prisoners 14.7 cents
Industries appear to be carpet weaving and caning chairs.
Number yards of carpet 9,966
Number of chairs caned 379

PRISONERS’ AID SOCIETIES.

Some few months ago, the Secretary of the PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY sent to various Prisoners’ Aid Societies in the United States a series of inquiries relative to the character of the aid furnished by them to discharged prisoners.

A summary of these reports will prove interesting.

MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR AIDING DISCHARGED CONVICTS.

“This Society has furnished at one time or another to discharged prisoners almost everything from clothing to artificial legs, eyes, teeth, crutches, medicines, tools, jobs, transportation, board, etc.”

Their assistance is given not so much to those who are discharged from the Penitentiary as to those who have served time in the County Jails.

“Where a man is employed in some special occupation, he needs extra clothing, such as waiter’s outfit, rubber boots for sea, overalls, etc., and where he is needy, change of underwear, socks, extra shirt, etc. We furnish these articles. Last year, about $1800 was expended by me for clothing out of a total expenditure of $9,479.10.”

MAINE PRISON ASSOCIATION.

This Association has been recently formed and so far its activities have been directed to interesting the public and securing more effective penal legislation.

There is a Prison Society at Portland, Maine, which gives help to prisoners discharged from the County Jail. The clothing is solicited and no money is paid except for expenses of lodging and transportation.

PRISONERS’ AID ASSOCIATION, RHODE ISLAND.

Their object is “to aid discharged prisoners in such ways and by such means as will enable them to gain an honest and respectable livelihood,” and also “to adopt such measures as shall seem to be conducive to the prevention of crime.” For the present their efforts are chiefly directed to the maintenance of a temporary Industrial Home for released women prisoners. In 1910 their care extended to seventy women and eight children.

PRISON ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK.

This Association furnishes prisoners when discharged from the County Prisons with clothing if they are in need. The applicant makes personal request for help at their offices. The Association does not maintain an Agent at the County Prison with purpose of determining what clothing is necessary to be supplied. The Association solicits contributions of clothing to be given to deserving ex-prisoners. They make a specialty of caring for those who have been paroled and for those who have been on probation. Their report last year shows an income of about $20,000, of which $1,000 may have been used for clothing.

THE WOMEN’S PRISON ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK CITY.

This Society has an Agent whose sole business it is to keep in close touch with all the women who have been arrested and taken to the sixty-eight station houses in the city where women are admitted.

“The Isaac T. Hopper Home, under our care, is not a prison; those admitted are expected to give a month’s service, at the end of which time they are sent to service in private families; a few remain from choice, and to some of these low wages are paid. During the month of trial, they are not expected to go out. The atmosphere of the house is cheerful; they have good beds and good food.”

CONNECTICUT PRISON ASSOCIATION.

The suit, shoes and hat are furnished by the prison authorities. This Association furnishes under-clothing and overcoats to those discharged from the State Prison. In 1909-1910, they expended for this purpose $1,051. We believe this Association gets an appropriation from the State amounting to $2500 per annum. They assist in the “Parole Work.”

PRISON LEAGUE OF AMERICA.

This organization, under the efficient control of Maud Ballington Booth, in results attained, stands at the head of all Prisoners’ Aid Societies. To all ex-prisoners who apply they give clothing, work and good cheer. In Chicago they have at this time assumed sponsorship for nearly 300 prisoners.

“The clothing part of it is only a small part of the much we do, but it is often the very necessary part.”

In various parts of the country this Society maintains farms, at which work is given to ex-prisoners, and where they are assisted in every way on the road to reform.

PRISON GATE MISSION, SALVATION ARMY, NEW YORK CITY.

“Good substantial clothing is given us from time to time that generally meets the needs of the people with whom we deal.”

They maintain industrial homes at which the opportunity is given to labor for their best welfare. They are doing wonderful work, the importance of which defies statistics. They are not directly connected with the “Parole Work.”

SOCIETY FOR THE FRIENDLESS.

This organization appears to have headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, with branch associations in various states. The Gen. Supt. is Rev. Edward A. Fredenhagen, Kansas City, Mo., to whom applications for further information may be sent. As a rule, prisoners discharged from city prisons, jails, lock-ups, etc., are not supplied with clothing, and when they apply to the Society for the Friendless their wants are supplied and an effort is made to furnish them with employment. The organization endeavors to follow them up and to keep in touch with those whom they have helped. They endeavor to co-operate with Parole Officers, but are not officially connected with the work. Societies of the same name, mostly branches of the organization at Kansas City, Mo., have made similar responses from North Dakota, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Iowa, Washington and Minnesota.

Superintendent Parsons of the Minnesota Division says that last year in pursuance of their work they “traveled 26,714 miles, delivered 265 addresses to 42,870 people, made 176 jail visits, interviewed 1110 prisoners.... Places of employment have been found for 120, and a large number more have found employment as the result of the care given them.”

NEBRASKA PRISON ASSOCIATION.

The Legislature of this State appropriates $5,000 to supply the needs of prisoners discharged from Penitentiary, and the work of administering this charity appears to be undertaken by this Association.

PRISON REFORM ASSOCIATION OF LOUISIANA.

They furnish needy prisoners when discharged from county jails with clothing. Up to this time they are not connected with “Parole Work.”

PRISON ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA.

This organization has been organized but a few months, and has not undertaken to distribute clothing to needy prisoners. They are endeavoring to promote “Parole Work” and agree to employ any prisoner who is entitled to “Parole.”

PRISONERS’ AID ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND.

When prisoners come to them from the jails and appear to be in need, they supply them with clothing. They are connected with the work of paroling prisoners, and endeavor to follow them up by a system of visitation.

THE CENTRAL HOWARD ASSOCIATION; CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

“In reply to your first question, would say that in all of the eight states in which this Association operates, the State itself furnishes a suit of clothes, including an overcoat in winter, to all released prisoners except in Kentucky, when men are paroled they do not receive clothing. In addition a discharge fee of from $5 to $10 is given them to make a new start. In one state, Minnesota, this discharge money amounts to $25. Your second question is, therefore, answered by stating that this Association is not called upon to furnish clothing and does not spend any funds for that purpose. In the case of all those who come to us from the Cook County Jail and the Chicago House of Correction, and do not receive clothing or discharge money, we sometimes fit them out with better clothing, but this is usually cast off clothing given to us by friends.” * * * * “In answer to question five, would state that we are directly connected with the ‘Parole Work’ in this and adjacent states. In the case of those who are entitled to parole in Illinois and are without friends or employers to sign their first papers, these papers are signed by me in many cases, and I keep the men under supervision during the period of their parole and they report through me to the officials. In the cases of adjoining states, except where the law permits them to be paroled outside of the state line, we secure employers who are residents of that state to sign the parole papers and serve as ‘first friend’ to the prisoner. This Association also furnishes a representative in connection with the Adult Probation Law to work with the paid Probation Officers in the courts in carrying out the provisions of said law.”

COLORADO PRISON ASSOCIATION.

They formerly furnished prisoners when discharged from the Penitentiary with clothing, but after securing the passage of a law, whereby the State provides such clothing, they no longer assume such expense. In the “Parole Work” they endeavor to co-operate with the Wardens. Their Field Secretary visits the jails throughout the State.

HOME OF INDUSTRY, PHILADELPHIA.

“Grand object--the founding and providing of a Retreat and Home for Discharged Prisoners of the City of Philadelphia, and the State of Pennsylvania, giving employment and compensation for labor performed, and by moral and religious influences and surroundings to awaken in them an incentive to true manliness and good citizenship....”

Last year 79 men were received in the Home who were supplied with board and lodging, and for services received some wages. They were assisted in securing situations for permanent employment. The State recognizes their good efforts by making an appropriation of $2500.00 per annum for maintenance.

DOOR OF BLESSING, PHILADELPHIA.

This Institution has been in existence about 11 years, and in that time has taken charge of 357 women and 30 children. These women and children come to them from either the State of City prisons.

Many of them are forwarded to their homes, and situations for others are obtained in the country. Recently, through the Agent of The Pennsylvania Prison Society, they receive many children who have been arrested for vagrancy and petty offences, direct from the Magistrates, and they receive kindly attention until they are restored to their friends or have been placed in homes.

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR VISITING CATHOLIC PRISONERS.

The 16th Annual Report of the American Society for visiting Catholic Prisons, just issued, shows that there were committed to the Eastern Penitentiary of Pennsylvania in the year 1911, as follows:

Catholic convicts 107
Catholic convicts discharged 113

and that there were remaining in the Penitentiary at the close of the year (December 31st, 1911)

Catholic men convicts 428
Catholic women convicts 6
-----
Total 434

The report states that “a committee of the society regularly visits these unfortunates and seeks to convert the criminals into good citizens,” and that during the past year 6256 visits were made.

Rev. M. A. Noel, S. J., is Catholic Chaplain of the Penitentiary, and Mr. P. H. Spellissy is the President of the Society.

PAROLE IN CALIFORNIA

(Our good friend, Col. Griffith, of Los Angeles, sends to us the following account of splendid results achieved in California.)

“One of the most excellent progressive movements of the period is that which looks to a reform in the prison system and strives to convert criminals into good citizens, useful to themselves, their families and society. Governor Johnson has been a leader of the movement in California, procuring the enactment of legislation greatly improving conditions in the penitentiaries of the state. When the new system shall have been operative for a reasonable period, men who have ‘done their time’ will re-enter the world possessed of training that will enable them to maintain themselves in honesty. Many a discharged criminal relapses into crime because society has so ordered his punishment as to make reform practically so difficult as to be almost impossible.

“Eleven per cent. of California’s convicts are under parole. Last month but five of the 363 violated in any way the terms on which parole was granted, and every one was at work. During the month they earned $15,600.55, expended $11,721.08 and saved $3879.47. That is an excellent record, but its excellence will be greatly increased under the new industrial methods to be established for the benefit of the convicts in confinement. They will be taught how to maintain themselves, and as those teachings become effective and hope, courage and confidence are revived among men who would be outcast derelicts were they released now, the percentage released on parole will rise and the number of the redeemed increase.”

RELIEF GIVEN PRISONERS WHEN DISCHARGED FROM STATE PRISONS.

MONEY CLOTHING

ARIZONA $5.00 & R. R. Fare Complete suit

ARKANSAS $2.00 Complete suit

CALIFORNIA $5.00 & R. R. Fare Complete wardrobe

COLORADO $5.00 & R. R. Fare Complete suit

CONNECTICUT $5 00 & R. R. Fare Complete suit, over-coat,
change of underclothing,
working clothes, suitcase.

DELAWARE Earnings averaging from If needed, they get clothing
(Newcastle $18.00 to $25,00 with their earnings.
County)

GEORGIA R. R. Fare Full suit

IDAHO $10.00 Clothing to value of
$10.00

ILLINOIS $10.00 & R. R. Fare Complete suit, and in
winter an overcoat.

INDIANA $10.00 & R. R. Fare, if released Tailor-made suit and
at expiration of sentence complete outfit. Overcoat
from Nov. 1 to
$5.00 & R. R. Fare, if paroled. April 1.

IOWA $5.00 & R. R. Fare Tailor-made suit and outfit:
overcoat when needed.

KANSAS “Our prisoners are paid a Tailor-made woolen suit,
wage of about a dollar a & complete outfit.
month, and they have this
money when discharged.”
Chouteau Fund of $1,000
constantly on hand, raised
by contributions from the
prisoners, and sale of trinkets;
used in caring for
needy families of prisoners
and in aiding worthy
prisoners in making a new
start.

KENTUCKY $5.00 & R. R. Fare Complete suit

LOUISIANA $5.00 Complete suit

MAINE “Not to exceed $10.00” “Suitable and decent”
clothing.

MARYLAND $10.00 to $100 earned by “Entire new outfit ...
over-work. $2.00 to $15.00 presentable anywhere.”
to indigent prisoners.

MASSACHUSETTS $3.00 to $5.00 Entire suit. Overcoat
Oct. 1st to April 1st

MICHIGAN $7.50 to $15.00 Full suit

MINNESOTA $25.00 and earnings, from Complete suit. Overcoat
nothing to $500 Oct. 1st to April 1st

MISSISSIPPI $10.00 Full suit

MISSOURI $5.00 & R. R. Fare Complete outfit and overcoat
when needed.

MONTANA $5.00 Clothing allowance of
$15.00.

NEBRASKA $5.00 to $10.00 & R. R. “Everything a man wears
Fare except overcoat”

NEVADA $25.00, “with no strings tied “Same clothing they had
to it whatever.” when brought here.” It
is cared for and pressed.
If they lack any clothing,
they may use their
“discharge money.”

NEW HAMPSHIRE $10.00 New suit

NEW JERSEY $5.00 to $25.00, according to “Full black suit,” and the
length of sentence. R. R. other furnishings. Overcoat
Fare, except to the pardoned in winter.
and paroled.

NEW MEXICO $5.00 Complete suit

NEW YORK $10.00 & R. R. Fare. In addition Complete suit. Overcoat
earnings which may Nov. to April.
amount to 1½c per diem.

NORTH CAROLINA $7.20 per annum, “on good “Good suit”
behavior.”

NORTH DAKOTA $5.00 to $25.00 and earnings. Complete outfit
R. R. Fare. “After
a prisoner has credit of
$25.00 one-half earnings
will still be credited and the
other half to General Inmates’
Benefit Fund; or
five-sixths of earnings will
be sent to dependent relatives,
and one-sixth to the
prisoner’s account.”

OHIO $5.00 & R. R. Fare Necessary clothing

OKLAHOMA R. R. Fare Full suit

OREGON $5.00 Full new suit

PENNSYLVANIA $5.00 or $10.00 Shoes and socks. Remainder
Eastern furnished by
Penitentiary Penna. Prison Society.
Clothing to the value of
Western $5.00 or $10.00 $10.00 in accordance with
Penitentiary Legislative appropriation.

RHODE ISLAND $5.00 & R. R. Fare Complete suit

SOUTH CAROLINA R. R. Fare Full suit

SOUTH DAKOTA $5.00 and earnings Outfit to the value of
$10.00

TENNESSEE R. R. Fare and small Citizen’s suit and their
amount of money working clothes

TEXAS $5.00 discharge money. 10c Full suit
per day for each day served
in prison and R. R. Fare

UTAH $5.00 to $15.00 Complete new suit

VIRGINIA $2.00 to $5.00 and earnings “Good suit”

W. VIRGINIA $2.00 to $3.00 and earnings “Good suit”

VERMONT $1.00 per week till the sum They buy their own
of $100 is reached clothes

WASHINGTON $5.00 and R. R. Fare New good suit

WISCONSIN $8.58 at end of first year Full suit
and about 1c per day thereafter.
R. R. Fare. Earnings
for overtime may be
sent to families, be used
for fruit, or credited to
their account.

WYOMING $50.00, of which not less than $15.00 must be spent for
clothing

HONORARY MEMBERS.

Maud Ballington Booth New York City.
[1]Gen. R. Brinkerhoff Mansfield, Ohio.
Z. R. Brockway Elmira, N. Y.
Judge McKenzie Cleland Chicago, Ill.
Prof. Charles Richmond Henderson Chicago, Ill.
Judge Ben. B. Lindsey Denver, Colo.
[1]Frederick Howard Wines Springfield, Ill.

[1] Deceased.

AN ACT.

To define the rights and functions of official visitors of jails,
penitentiaries, and other penal or reformatory institutions, and
providing for their removal.

Section 1. Be it enacted, &c., That any person designated by law to be official visitor of any jail, penitentiary, or other penal or reformatory institution, in this Commonwealth, maintained at the public expense, is hereby authorized and empowered to enter and visit any such jail, penitentiary, or other penal or reformatory institution, on any and every day, including Sundays, between the hours of nine o’clock, ante meridian, and five o’clock, post meridian; and not before nine o’clock, ante meridian, or after five o’clock, post meridian, except with the special permission of the warden, manager, overseer, or superintendent in charge of any such jail, penitentiary, or other penal or reformatory institution.