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

committee of any society heretofore incorporated and now existing in the Commonwealth for the purpose of visiting and instructing prisoners, or persons confined in any penal or reformatory institution, and alleviating their miseries, shall be and are hereby made official visitors of any jail, penitentiary, or other penal or reformatory institution in this Commonwealth, maintained at the public expense, with the same powers, privileges, and functions as are vested in the official visitors of prisons and penitentiaries, as now prescribed by law: Provided, That no active or visiting committee of any such society shall be entitled to visit such jails or penal institutions, under this act, unless notice of the names of the members of such committee, and the terms of their appointment, is given by such society, in writing, under its corporate seal, to the warden, superintendent or other officer in charge of such jail, or other officer in charge of any such jail or other penal institution.

Approved--The 20th day of March, A. D. 1903.

SAML. W. PENNYPACKER.

The foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Act of the General Assembly No. 48.

FRANK M. FULLER,
_Secretary of the Commonwealth_.

NEW SERIES No. 51

THE JOURNAL

OF

PRISON DISCIPLINE

AND

PHILANTHROPY

PUBLISHED ANNUALLY

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF “THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY”
INSTITUTED MAY 8th, 1787

MARCH, 1912

OFFICE: STATE HOUSE ROW
S. W. CORNER FIFTH AND CHESTNUT STREETS
PHILADELPHIA, PA.

SPECIAL NOTICES.

All correspondence with reference to the work of the Society, or to the JOURNAL OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND PHILANTHROPY, should be addressed to THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY, 500 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa.

The National Prison Association of the United States for the past ten years has designated the fourth Sunday in October, annually, as Prison Sunday. To aid the movement for reformation, some speakers may be supplied from this Society. Apply to chairman of the Committee on Prison Sunday.

FREDERICK J. POOLEY is the General Agent of the Society. His address is 500 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.

Contributions for the work of the Society may be sent to JOHN WAY, Treasurer, 409 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.

* * * * *

FORM OF BEQUEST OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.

I give and bequeath to “THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY” the sum of .... Dollars.

* * * * *

FORM OF DEVISE OF REAL ESTATE.

I give and devise to “THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY” all that certain piece or parcel of land. (Here describe the property).

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR 1912

PRESIDENT

JOSHUA L. BAILY, Philadelphia, Pa.

VICE-PRESIDENTS

REV. HERMAN L. DUHRING, 225 S. Third Street, Philadelphia.
REV. F. H. SENFT, 560 N. Twentieth Street, Philadelphia.

SECRETARY

ALBERT H. VOTAW, 500 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

DR. WILLIAM C. STOKES, 500 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

TREASURER

JOHN WAY, 409 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

HONORARY COUNSELOR

HON. WM. N. ASHMAN, 44th & Spruce Streets, Philadelphia.

COUNSELORS

HON. HENRY S. CATTELL, 1218 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
HON. OWEN J. ROBERTS, West End Trust Building, Philadelphia.

GENERAL AGENT

FREDERICK J. POOLEY, 500 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.

ACTING COMMITTEE.

FOR ONE YEAR

P.H. Spellissy, Rev. R. Heber Barnes, Miss C. V. Hodges,
Fred. J. Pooley, Dr. Wm. C. Stokes, Rebecca P. Latimer,
William Scattergood, Deborah C. Leeds, Dr. John Frazer,
Mrs. P. W. Lawrence, Mrs. Horace Fassitt, Daniel Buckley,
William Koelle, Joseph C. Noblit, Joseph Hill Brinton.

FOR TWO YEARS

Charles P. Hastings, Charles McDole, Miss Annie McFedries,
Isaac P. Miller, Harrison Walton, Rev. Thomas Latimer,
Elias H. White, Mrs. Mary S. Grigg, Norris J. Scott,
John Smallzell, William Morris, Mrs. Lillie C. Mann,
John A. Duncan, Emma L. Thompson, John D. Hampton.

FOR THREE YEARS

Rev. J. F. Ohl, George S. Wetherell, A. Jackson Wright,
Harry Kennedy, Henry C. Cassel, Frank H. Longshore,
Mrs. Layyah Barakat, Albert Oetinger, Charles LeFevre,
William E. Tatum, Rev. Philip Lamerdin, Rev. M. R. Minnich,
Mary S. Wetherell, Mrs. E. W. Gormly, W. Graham Tyler.

FROM THE STATE-AT-LARGE.

FOR THE YEAR 1912

Rev. John Mueller, Pittsburg.
Capt. Nicholas Baggs, Abington.
Mrs. Sarah B. Mumma, Lancaster.

COMMITTEES FOR 1912

COMMITTEE TO VISIT THE EASTERN PENITENTIARY

P. H. Spellissy, Frank H. Longshore, William Morris,
Dr. Wm. C. Stokes, A. Jackson Wright, Rev. M. Reed Minnich,
Rev. F. H. Senft, Chas. H. LeFevre, Dr. John Frazer,
William Koelle, Chas. P. Hastings, John D. Hampton,
Jos. C. Noblit, John Smallzell, W. Graham Tyler,
Rev. Philip Lamerdin, Chas. McDole, Deborah C. Leeds,
Harry Kennedy, Harrison Walton, Mrs. Horace Fassitt,
Rev. J. F. Ohl, Albert H. Votaw, Miss Rebecca P. Latimer,
Wm. E. Tatum, Rev. Thos. Latimer, Mrs. Layyah Barakat,
Geo. S. Wetherell, John A. Duncan, Mrs. Mary S. Grigg,
Henry C. Cassel, Isaac P. Miller, Emma L. Thompson.

COMMITTEE TO VISIT THE PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISON

Jos. C. Noblit, Albert H. Votaw, Mrs. Horace Fassitt,
John A. Duncan, Deborah C. Leeds, Miss C. V. Hodges,
Isaac P. Miller, Mrs. P. W. Lawrence, Miss Rebecca P. Latimer.

FOR THE HOLMESBURG PRISON

Fred. J. Pooley, Wm. Koelle, Rev. Philip Lamerdin.

HOUSE OF CORRECTION

William Koelle, Deborah C. Leeds, Lillie C. Mann.

CHESTER AND DELAWARE COUNTY PRISONS

William Scattergood, John Way, Deborah C. Leeds,
Norris J. Scott.

BUCKS COUNTY PRISON

Albert Oetinger.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRISON

Nicholas Baggs.

LANCASTER COUNTY PRISON

Mrs. Sarah B. Mumma.

WESTERN PENITENTIARY AND ALLEGHENY COUNTY PRISON

Rev. John Mueller, Mrs. E. W. Gormly, Miss Annie McFedries.

COMMITTEE ON DISCHARGED PRISONERS

Joseph C. Noblit, George S. Wetherell, Dr. Wm. C. Stokes,
Daniel Buckley, Mrs. Horace Fassitt.

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION

Rev. J. F. Ohl, Elias H. White, Norris J. Scott.
Joseph C. Noblit, Jos. Hill Brinton,

COMMITTEE ON MEMBERSHIP

Dr. Wm. C. Stokes, Elias H. White, Henry C. Cassel.
Geo. S. Wetherell, Isaac P. Miller,

COMMITTEE ON POLICE MATRONS

Mrs. Mary S. Grigg, Mrs. Lillie C. Mann, (One vacancy)

COMMITTEE ON PRISON SUNDAY

Rev. R. Heber Barnes, Rev. J. F. Ohl, Rev. Philip Lamerdin.
Rev. H. L. Duhring, Rev. F. H. Senft,

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Dr. John Frazer, Rev. R. Heber Barnes, Albert H. Votaw,
Rev. J. F. Ohl, Dr. William C. Stokes, The President (ex-officio)

FINANCE COMMITTEE

George S. Wetherell, Isaac P. Miller, Daniel Buckley.
A. Jackson Wright, Joseph C. Noblit,

AUDITORS

Charles P. Hastings, John A. Duncan, John Smallzell.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY.

1787 1912

The 125th Annual Meeting of “THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY” was held January 11th, 1912, at the office of the Society, S. W. Corner Fifth and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, the President, JOSHUA L. BAILY, in the Chair.

Twenty-eight members of the Society were present.

The Minutes of the 124th Annual Meeting were read and approved.

The Report of the Acting Committee was read by the Secretary. The report was approved and was directed to be printed in the “JOURNAL.” (See page 6)

The Treasurer, JOHN WAY, produced a detailed statement of the receipts and disbursements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1911. (See page 15)

GEORGE S. WETHERELL, on behalf of the Committee on Nominations, presented a list of nominations for the officers of the Society for the term of one year, beginning February 1, 1912, and for the members of the Acting Committee whose terms expire at this time. The President appointed JOS. C. NOBLIT and WILLIAM E. TATUM as Tellers. The election being duly conducted, the Tellers announced that a unanimous vote was cast for the ballot as proposed by the Nominating Committee. (See page 3.)

On Motion HON. WILLIAM N. ASHMAN was elected Honorary Counselor.

To nominate officers at the next Annual Meeting, the President appointed JOSEPH C. NOBLIT, A. JACKSON WRIGHT, ISAAC P. MILLER, MRS. MARY S. GRIGG and MRS. EMMA L. THOMPSON.

The following Amendment to Article VII of the Constitution, proposed at the last Annual Meeting, was read, and after some discussion, unanimously adopted.

“The number of Members of the Acting Committee may be increased to not exceeding sixty, provided the additional Members shall be residents of Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia.

“These Members may be elected from time to time at any meeting of the Acting Committee, according to the provisions of the By-Laws for filling vacancies, but the terms for which they are elected shall be for the unexpired portion of the current fiscal year only. These additional Members will be eligible for re-election at the next Annual Meeting, and their respective terms of service shall then be assigned so as to be co-ordinate with the terms of service of the other Members of the Committee.”

The President spoke in acknowledgment of the honor of his re-election to the Presidency of this Society, the oldest organization of the kind in the world. He congratulated the Society on the increased interest as manifested by the attendance at this meeting and by the larger amount of contributions received in 1911 for the work of the Society.

ALBERT H. VOTAW, _Secretary_.

REPORT OF THE ACTING COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR 1911.

In the year 1912, the PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY will have completed a century and a quarter of its existence. It seems opportune briefly to note some of the important features of the work of this organization during the last 125 years. We are fortunate in the possession of an unbroken series of records of the transactions of this body from its first meeting in May, 1787, to the present time.

In 1787 the conditions of the jails in Philadelphia were unspeakably disgraceful. In one common herd there were kept by day and by night prisoners of all ages, colors, degrees of crime, and the sexes were not separated. No bedding was supplied and unless the prisoner had means or friends, he slept on the ground or bare floor. One loaf of bread constituted the daily ration. Misconduct was punished by the branding-iron, the pillory, or by the lash. Intoxicants were sold to all applicants who had money. The keeper reaped a profit from all sales made to the inmates of the prison. The death rate was enormous. No effort was made to find any useful employment for the prisoners.

The Society early resolved that intoxicants must be forbidden and that some form of employment must be found. They insisted on segregation of the sexes, and also began to press for individual separation in order that the penal institutions should not become schools for crime. Within a very few years many reforms were instituted. The death penalty which had been inflicted for a score of crimes was abrogated except for murder in the first degree. “Solitary confinement to hard labor” is still a familiar phrase used by Judges in pronouncing sentence. In its early years, the Society consistently and persistently urged the adoption of a system of employment whereby each prisoner alone in his cell should perform his task in some industrial pursuit. It was never intended that the prisoners should be kept entirely secluded from all human companionship, but that the officers should see them frequently and that concerned visitors, under proper supervision, should be allowed to talk with them and endeavor to point them to the better way. This idea became known among penologists as “The Pennsylvania System,” and was discussed widely, both at home and abroad. The Eastern Penitentiary, on Fairmount Avenue, formerly Coates Street, was built upon plans largely suggested by this Society. Doubtless the separate system was entirely carried out in 1829, when the prison was opened for the reception of prisoners. But in the last half century, the number of prisoners has exceeded the number of cells, so that the officers of the prison have not been able to carry out this system as originally planned. When this penitentiary was first constructed, it was located on what was then known as Cherry Hill, an eminence in the Northwest suburban district, and was surrounded by farming land. That penal institutions should be located in the country is, therefore, not a new proposition. Now it is generally conceded that such institutions not only should be located in the country, but that they should own and work a large tract of land adjacent.

The first prisoner was received Oct. 25, 1829. The first report
of the Committee to visit the Eastern Penitentiary was made to
the Acting Committee on Nov. 11, 1829, and shows that there were
two prisoners at that time in the institution, one a white man
from Chester Co., the other a colored man from Delaware Co. By
June 8, 1830, the number of prisoners had increased to 25. The
following extracts from the report of the Visiting Committee, made
in June, 1830, will prove interesting to those who are familiar
with the present conditions at the Penitentiary. “* * * The best
order prevails among the prisoners who are industriously, and
it is believed, profitably employed. Each is supplied with a
soup-pan, washbasin, brush, fine and coarse tooth comb, spoon,
knife and fork, and every week with a clean towel. Each prisoner is
required to keep his room clean and neat. * * * The food consists
of half a pint of milk, mixed in the same amount of hot water,
bread made of rye and Indian meal (one pound) for breakfast; for
dinner one pint soup, three-fourths pound meat, one-third pound
bread; for supper one pint Indian mush and a half gill molasses.
* * * No conversation can take place between the prisoners, and
no communication from without be permitted. It has not been found
necessary to inflict any punishment so far, except in two cases:
in one case where a prisoner had neglected to keep his mess-pan
clean, he lost two meals; in another case, a prisoner who neglected
his work was for three days deprived of his meat. The principal
trades are weaving and shoemaking, trades which may be carried on
in cells to advantage. The health of the prisoners continues good.”
The report is signed June 8, 1830, by the entire Visiting Committee
consisting of David Weatherly and James J. Barclay. Now after 80
years the supply of furniture is practically the same, a table or
stand being added. Sanitary arrangements have been vastly improved,
and the addition of a superior grade of homemade wheat bread and
coffee to the bill of fare has made a more palatable menu.

Some forty years ago it was written that every advance in the amelioration of convict prisons systems of discipline began in Philadelphia. In the discussion of these problems THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY took a conspicuous part. In 1856 the first published criticism of the contract system, under which the labor of the prisoners was sold for profit and to meet the prison expenses, issued from Philadelphia. The criticism was received with scorn and ridicule. Thoughtful students of humanitarian measures began investigations in one State after another, with the result that at the present time scarcely one State in the Union maintains such a system. But while Pennsylvania has led the way in many measures to reform the criminal and improve his condition, some States have made more rapid progress in these directions. Many States offer greater opportunities in their prisons for industrial employment than we can show in Pennsylvania. Most of the States have preceded us in the adoption of a Parole and a Probation system for adult convicts.

PROBATION, PAROLE, INDETERMINATE SENTENCE.

In 1909, the Legislature of Pennsylvania enacted a law providing for Probation for some classes of adult offenders, and also for a Parole of criminals sentenced to the Penitentiaries of the State under the conditions of an Indeterminate Sentence. Under the Probation Act, the Courts have power to suspend the imposition of the sentence and to place the defendant on Probation on such terms and conditions as the Court may deem proper.

The Parole Law applied to the sentences of criminals sentenced to the Penitentiary on and after June 30, 1909. Two Members of THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY were very active in framing this law and in securing its passage. The Legislature of 1911 amended this law so as to render almost nugatory some of the provisions of the law with regard to the Indeterminate Sentence. The Chairman of our Committee on Legislation has ably discussed this subject in an article published in the JOURNAL which was issued in November, 1911. The following statistics, furnished by Parole Officer, JOHN MCKENTY, of the Eastern Penitentiary, show the operation of the law to the end of the year 1911.

Number paroled since the law was effective 128
Number returned for failure to fulfill requirement 15
Number not reporting 3
Number of those paroled who have received final discharge 10
Number on Parole December 31, 1911 100
Percentage of success 85.9%

These figures compare quite favorably with the results reported from other States in which this system has been for a longer period in vogue.

THE EASTERN PENITENTIARY.

Reports of the Members of the Acting Committee, appointed to visit the Eastern Penitentiary, show that during the year 1911 6405 visits to prisoners have been made. Many unreported visits have gladdened the prisoner in his lonely cell. Several of our members participate in the Gospel services on the Sabbath.

One of the prisoners remarked to the Secretary that in his opinion the work of visitation was the most important function of the Society. This has been the most effective part of our work from the first. Some of the men’s blocks are not visited so often as would be desirable. The women’s block is said to be over-visited. Several organizations have the privilege of sending visitors to the twenty-seven women now incarcerated, and while visitors are welcomed at suitable times and under proper conditions, yet it is readily recognized that these prisoners of the women’s block should have sufficient time to attend to their regular, but not onerous, duties as assistants in various lines of domestic employment.

Under the management of Warden ROBERT J. MCKENTY, the administration is to be commended. The discipline is firm, but kindly, and so long as the privileges granted are not abused, there is allowed a large amount of freedom within reasonable limits. Hence, in this institution, the visitor may note an unusually contented and orderly body of convicts.

RELIEF FOR PRISONERS WHEN DISCHARGED.

The expense of supplying needy prisoners with clothing at the time of their discharge from the Eastern Penitentiary has been almost entirely borne by this Society since 1896. For the six years prior to 1896, the Legislature appropriated on the average of $2490.00 annually to the Society, which thereupon assumed the expense of providing outfits for the prisoners at the time of their release. In 1895, the Governor refused to sanction the appropriation. No legislative grant of funds has been made since that time to the Society. Our late Honorary Secretary, JOHN J. LYTLE, who at that time was the General Secretary of the Society, with untiring energy solicited contributions from benevolent citizens to supply the prisoners when released with presentable clothing. His whole heart was in this work and nobly did he discharge what he deemed to be his duty to administer the charity in which our Society had been, up to that time, assisted by the State. We are still providing an outfit for discharged prisoners, although this aid is supplied by legislative appropriation practically in every other State of the Union. I append to this report a schedule showing what provision is made for prisoners at the time of their discharge from the various State Prisons. (See page 38.)

During the year, 1911, the Secretary has furnished 370 men at the time of their discharge from the Eastern Penitentiary either with entire outfits, or with sufficient attire to make them presentable.

The following list shows what garments have been given:

Coats 293
Vests 294
Pants 294
Dress Shirts 243
Underclothing (pieces) 474
Hats 332
Suspenders, pairs 326
Neck-ties 314
Collars 41
Total number of garments 2611

A few of the women on their discharge have been furnished with suitable articles of apparel.

The administration of this charity is attended with peculiar advantages. It is an important duty to visit the prisoners near the close of their time of incarceration, and to learn from them with regard to their hopes and fears. Then, if ever, they need sympathetic attention. Many of them have friends or homes ready to receive them, but there are others who need more than a suit of clothes and a parting word of good wishes. We endeavor to find employment for such as these unfortunate ones, and, while in many cases we have succeeded, there is a remnant who are not strong enough to face the temptations of the outer world. Shall we not send such as these to a farm under control of the State, where they will have opportunity to work in the open air, and be retained in some kind of semi-detention until they have made good?

WESTERN PENITENTIARY.

Two members of the Acting Committee, who reside in Pittsburg, have reported various visits and some Gospel service in the Western Penitentiary.

In response to an inquiry with regard to the provision made for the prisoners of that institution at the time of their discharge, Warden JOHN FRANCIES writes as follows:

A. H. VOTAW, Secretary,
The Pennsylvania Prison Society,
Philadelphia, Pa.

DEAR SIR:--

Replying to your inquiry of Dec. 20, 1911, permit me to reply as follows:--

1. With regard to money to prisoners on discharge.

This depends upon the distance the prisoner is going. If within a radius of fifty miles, $5.00 is given. If outside the radius of fifty miles, $10.00 is given.

2. With regard to clothing to prisoners on discharge.

The prisoner is given $10.00 worth of clothing as provided for in appropriation by last session of Legislature.

3. Clothing supplied.

Suit complete, and furnishings, viz.: hat, shirt, shoes, hose, tie, collar, etc.

Yours very truly,
JOHN FRANCIES, _Warden_.

At the last session of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, authority was granted to remove this prison from Allegheny City to some large tract of land amid healthier surroundings, and we have learned that a site has been selected about eight miles from Bellefonte in Centre county. Full opportunity will be afforded here to test the out-door treatment.

Chaplain MILLER, of the Western Penitentiary, has kindly furnished the following statistics with regard to those paroled from that institution:

Whole number paroled 100
Number returned 15
Number not reporting 0
Number of those paroled who have received final discharge 1
Number deceased 2
Number now on parole 82
Percentage of success 85%

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISONS.

The Committee appointed to visit the Philadelphia County Prisons have been diligent in this service and the reports show that 6100 visits have been made to the prisoners at Moyamensing and Holmesburg.

The General Agent, FRED. J. POOLEY, has assisted several hundred at the time of their discharge with lodging, clothing, railroad fares, and with articles to sell, while they are awaiting more permanent employment. He has given help to a considerable number in securing situations. The Door of Blessing has indeed proved to be true to its name in giving help to the women at the time of their discharge.

GENERAL AGENT.

Our General Agent, FRED. J. POOLEY, has found a large field for service at the Central Police Station at City Hall. He makes a special object to have interviews with those who have had a preliminary hearing before Magistrates, and who have been committed for trial before the Judges at City Hall. More than a thousand letters has he written in behalf of those who have been arrested in the last year. Very often he secures the release of young prisoners by promptly communicating with parents or relatives, who assume responsibility for the offender. Thus many first offenders are turned from the error of their ways by this timely attention, and escape the schooling in crime which they would inevitably receive by further association with hardened criminals. The work requires to be done with the utmost tact and discretion, and several of the Magistrates have borne testimony to the efficient service of our General Agent. He has presented a more detailed report, an abstract of which will be printed in the “JOURNAL.”

COUNTY PRISONS (OUTSIDE OF PHILADELPHIA.)

Members of our Acting Committee have reported visits to the prisons in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Monroe, Lancaster and Westmoreland and other counties. With the passage of the proposed amendment to our Constitution, providing for additions to the Acting Committee, it will be possible to secure workers in other counties of the State, who, we trust, will be of material assistance in collecting information, and also in co-operating with us to secure measures to ameliorate some of the evils of the present system. There are very few county jails in the State whose construction and management may be regarded as creditable. Some of the officials are doubtless doing the best they can with the means at hand. But the great majority of jails throughout the State have made little progress in the last half century. “No prison without employment” should be our campaign cry. It ought not to be impracticable for a number of the smaller counties to unite in the management of a prison farm to which petty offenders should be sent. Such a farm should be self-supporting.

It should not be forgotten that the State of Pennsylvania has at least two institutions which for some years have illustrated the value and efficacy of farm life for prisoners. One is the Huntingdon Reformatory, the other is the Allegheny Work House at Hoboken.

AMERICAN PRISON CONGRESS.

Since our JOURNAL for 1911 was issued so late in that year, it gave opportunity to include in its contents an account of the Proceedings of the American Prison Association, which met in Omaha, Nebraska, in October, 1911. This report was prepared by the secretary of the Society, who was appointed Delegate to the Association. DEBORAH C. LEEDS was also present at the sessions of this body. In 1912, the Association will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, and we hope a considerable number of the members of our Society will attend its sessions.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY.

By motion of the Acting Committee passed in June, 1911, DR. WILLIAM C. STOKES was appointed Assistant to the Secretary. His duties have been to assist in the clerical work of the office, and especially to endeavor to increase the amount of funds collected for the use of the Society. Since his appointment, the office has been kept open during the greater part of the business hours of each day, and we have felt there was an important service in having the office accessible at all time to members and visitors. Since June 21st, a Register for Visitors has been kept, and the record shows that 417 visitors had registered to December 31st from 35 States. A few foreign visitors were received. Many of these visitors appear to appreciate information about the work in which we are engaged, and they generally accept some of our publications. We believe this opportunity to present some features of our work will prove of some value.

OBITUARIES.

During the year 1911, the Acting Committee lost by death three of its members.

On Eighth Month 18, our beloved Honorary Secretary, John J. Lytle, passed away from his residence at Moorestown, N. J.

On Second Month, 15, Miss Mary S. Whelen, formerly a very active and efficient member of the Active Committee, died at her home in this city.

On Seventh Month 1, Robert P. Nicholson, a new, but deeply interested, member died, as the result of an accident.

Appropriate notices of these valued members appeared in our JOURNAL of October, 1911.

THE SCOPE OF OUR WORK.

In 1787, the labors of the Founders of our organization were confined to the prisons of Philadelphia. It was but a few years when they found it necessary, in order to accomplish certain reformatory measures, to petition the Legislature for some changes in, or additions to, the penal code. As time passed their interest extended beyond the limits of Philadelphia, but it was almost a hundred years after the founding of the Society that its name was changed from “The Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons” to “THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY.” Our interests are State-wide, and in furtherance of this, the Membership of the Acting Committee has recently been increased by the election of other interested citizens residing in counties outside of Philadelphia, thus enlarging the sphere of our influence. For many years, the Society has had the valuable services on its Acting Committee of two members from Pittsburg and several from counties adjacent to Philadelphia, but closer relations with the prison work in all parts of the State are much to be desired.

Our Master said, “I was in prison and ye came unto me.” In the spirit of the Master, let us endeavor to impress in the name of humanity, all well-disposed people everywhere to lend a helping hand to their brothers and sisters who have been overtaken by a fault.

On behalf of the Acting Committee,
ALBERT H. VOTAW, _Secretary_.

DEATH OF ROBERT B. ADAMS.

Robert B. Adams, a former member of the Acting Committee of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, who resigned in the autumn of 1911, on his removal from the city to accept the Secretaryship of the Y. M. C. A. at Rochester, N. Y., died Jan. 18, 1912, after a short illness from pneumonia. He was a genial man of broad sympathies, and his loss will be felt by a large circle of friends and by a host of unfortunates by whose ministrations they had received help and inspiration.

REPORT OF TREASURER.

JOHN WAY, _Treasurer_.

IN ACCOUNT WITH

THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY.

GENERAL FUND.

RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR 1911.

To Balance on hand, January 1, 1911 $869 40
“ Members’ Dues 265 00
“ Contributions 5,111 50
“ Income from Investments 1,976 12
“ I. V. Williamson “Charities” 630 00
“ Interest on Deposit Balances 33 79
“ Life Memberships (2) 100 00
“ Loan to Discharged Prisoner Repaid 2 50
“ Legacy from Estate Anna Eliza Porter 476 25
---------
Total $9,464 56

PAYMENTS, 1911.

For Clothing Discharged Prisoners, Eastern Penitentiary $2,107 12
“ Appropriation for Prisoners Discharged from Philadelphia
County Prison 990 00
“ Salaries 2,957 05
“ Expense of “Journal,” 1911 461 11
“ Traveling Expenses, Secretary and Agent 115 76
“ Sundry Printing, Stationery, Postage 786 19
“ Office Expenses, Incidentals 112 83
“ Rent, Janitor Service 193 00
“ Subscription National Prisoners’ Aid Association 25 00
“ Annual Fee American Prison Association 5 00
“ “ “ Associated Committee of Women on Police
Matrons 3 00
“ Investments: Legacy, $476.25; Memberships, $100.00 576 25
“ Balance on Hand, December 30, 1911 1,132 25
---------
Total $9,464 56

STATEMENT OF BARTON FUND.

Received from Income from Investments $102 90
Overdraft December 30, 1911 80 69
-------
Total $183 59

PAYMENTS.

Paid for Tools for Discharged Prisoners $70 14
Overdraft January 1, 1911 113 45
-------
Total $183 59

HOME OF INDUSTRY FUND.

Received from Income from Investments (net) $24 50
“ “ H. S. Benson Legacy (net) 196 00
“ “ Caroline S. Williams Est. (net) 123 42
-------
Total $343 92
Paid to Treasurer, Home of Industry $343 92

Respectfully submitted,
JOHN WAY, _Treasurer_.

We, the undersigned, members of the Auditing Committee, have examined the foregoing account of John Way, Treasurer, compared the payments with the vouchers, and believe the same to be correct.

We have also examined the Securities in the hands of the Agent, The Provident Life and Trust Company of Philadelphia, and find them to agree with an accompanying schedule.

CHARLES P. HASTINGS,
JOHN A. DUNCAN,
_Auditors_.

Philadelphia, January 10, 1912.

GENERAL AGENT’S REPORT 1911.

To the Acting Committee of The Pennsylvania Prison Society:

With the close of another year, your General Agent takes pleasure in making the following report:

Regular visits have been made to the Eastern Penitentiary and all the prisoners received at the institution during the year were visited, and with the consent of the officials I have written letters to relatives of many of the prisoners, some of whom had not written home for years.

Regular visits have been made to Moyamensing Prison and to Philadelphia County Prison at Holmesburg. Over 6,000 prisoners have been visited and more than 600 assisted with room rent, board and lodging, railroad tickets, tools, car-fare and employment, etc.

Your General Agent has made daily visits to the Central Police Courts and to the cells at City Hall. During the year, 1911, 1,238 letters were written by him to relatives and friends of those under arrest, by whose assistance or advice, bail was secured in many cases, and in other cases a discharge was obtained. During the month of December, 181 letters were written at City Hall, as follows:

Letters sent to prisoner’s mother 44
“ “ “ “ father 17
“ “ “ “ sister 32
“ “ “ “ brother 24
“ “ “ “ wife 26
“ “ “ “ aunt 8
“ “ “ “ uncle 2
“ “ “ “ husband 2
“ “ “ “ friend 26
---
“ written during December, 1911 181

I will mention a few of the cases to show the importance of the work of the Agent at City Hall.

No. 1.--A young man from Martinsburg, W. Va., arrested for being on the streets without a home; the Magistrate held him for ten days to give me an opportunity to look into the case. I learned that he had been from home eighteen months. I wrote to his family and obtained his discharge. He wrote on his arrival home:--

“My dear friend Mr. Pooley:--

“I arrived home safe last evening at 6.30 P. M., and was met by my
father at the station. My father, mother and sister welcomed me at
home and even my little dog also. I just arrived in time, thanks to
you, for my folks were about to move to Mexico City, Mexico.

“Thanking you for your great kindness to me,
“Very truly yours,”

No. 2.--A young man from New York left home without consent of his relatives--found himself stranded in Philadelphia--was arrested and given ten days in County Prison. I wrote to his mother, who came on to this city and obtained his discharge.

No. 3.--Case of a woman arrested for spending her evenings in Broad Street Station. I questioned her closely and found that because of an unkind word with her sister, she left home and spent her evenings in the Station, not having anywhere else to go. She told me who she was and where her sister lived; I visited the sister, who was delighted to know her sister was found. We obtained her discharge and she went home.

No. 4.--Two young men charged with larceny from a department store. At the request of the Magistrate, I investigated the case and found the young men were from New York City; at once a letter was sent to their people; father came on; the charge was withdrawn; the boys discharged and their father took them home.

No. 5.--A young man from Louisiana arrested for stealing; said he had nothing to eat for three days; was committed for court; said he would not disgrace his family as his father had a nice business in the South, but he would not tell his address. During his conversation, he told me his father came to Philadelphia twice a year to buy goods, and mentioned one of the places where he bought them. I went to the place he mentioned and found his father was then in the city; I left a note asking him to meet me. He did so, and was deeply touched to learn where his son was. He at once went to the prison and took an attorney with him, and when the case came to court his son was discharged, and he went home with his father.

No. 6.--A young man from Massachusetts charged with robbing, who told me he had not written home for six years. I wrote to his father, who was delighted to know that the lost son had been found. When the case came to court, the young man was discharged and he went home with his father.

The cases mentioned are only a few of the many, but they indicate the character and importance of the work of the General Agent at The Central Police Station.

While visiting the cells in the Central Station, City Hall, I always feel a great responsibility resting upon me. I feel that a word spoken in kindness and love may awaken thoughts of the days of innocence and inspire them to endeavor to regain what they had lost.

The officials of the City Hall have been very helpful to me in doing all they can to help along the work. I deeply appreciate their kindly services.

“Sabbath Reading” has been distributed weekly through the personal efforts of our late friend, John J. Lytle. The subscriptions to this useful and appreciated magazine will expire in March, 1912, per annum. Something over $100 is needed to renew the subscription and I trust that way may open for the continuance of this benefaction.

Thanks are due to many of our friends for magazines and papers for the prisoners.

During the past year Emlen Hutchinson, Esq., Chairman of Board of Inspectors, Philadelphia Prison, has kindly sent me $80.00 for the purpose of sending home runaway boys, a donation of great usefulness.

Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK J. POOLEY, _General Agent_.
COMMITMENTS TO MOYAMENSING, PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISON.

White White Black Black Total
Males Females Males Females Committed
1906 17,085 2,180 3,106 1,005 23,376
1907 17,090 1,854 2,999 965 22,908
1908 17,497 1,740 3,267 916 23,420
1909 13,228 1,247 2,443 767 17,685
1910 13,518 1,138 2,547 706 17,909
1911 13,576 1,053 2,815 843 18,287

The Philadelphia County Prison, Holmesburg, was opened as a penal
institution on December 28th, 1896, since which time, 12,767 men
had been received to December 31st, 1911.

F. J. P.

ENFORCE IDLENESS OF PRISONERS

The law of Pennsylvania limits to thirty-five per cent. of the
whole number of convicts, those who may be employed in any of the
trades; as a consequence, the greater number of them are consigned
to enforced idleness. No punishment could be more severe, and if
punishment is the chief object of our penal system, it is certainly
secured by Pennsylvania law. It is a system, however, which belongs
to an age long since past, when the reformation of the criminal had
little or no consideration.

It is proper that an evil-doer should suffer punishment and that
society should be protected from his evil ways, but humanity and
Christianity alike require that at the same time that he is subject
to the restraints of the law, the wisest efforts should be made
for his improvement and reformation, the correction of his evil
propensities, and the formation of good habits, to the intent that
when the prison gates are opened to him he may have a fair chance
to become an upright and useful citizen.

This end cannot be attained by keeping the convict in idleness,
the most fruitful source of immorality and mental and physical
degeneracy. This law of enforced idleness is not only cruel and
inhuman, as to the convict, it is improvident as to the State, for
the convict, if employed, could not only earn a large part, if not
the entire cost of his maintenance, and thus relieve the community
of this burden, but he would be able to lift another and greater
burden which must rest somewhere, the support of his family during
his imprisonment.

Under the present system the guilty convict is not the chief
sufferer. The severity of the punishment falls heaviest upon his
family--the innocent wife and children.

UNWISE AND VICIOUS.

Is it not surprising that legislators who are responsible for this
compulsory idleness do not see its unwisdom and viciousness?

Instead of permitting the convict to earn his maintenance by his
own labor, a fellow-laborer outside the prison walls is taxed
to support him in idleness, an idleness which only intensifies
whatever criminal propensities he possesses, instead of curing
them, and increases his capacity for depredations upon society when
the prison doors are open to him.

In other words, for every man within prison walls who does not
earn his maintenance, some man outside has to earn it for him. The
Divine decree, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread,”
is reversed in the case of the man who eats his bread in the sweat
of some other man’s face.

JOSHUA L. BAILY.

THE PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISON AT HOLMESBURG.

The Philadelphia County Prison, located at Holmesburg, between the
Philadelphia and New York Railroad and Torresdale Avenue, about
6 miles north of the City Hall, and known as the new jail, was
erected some 15 years ago. It occupies a plot of land containing
about 21 acres. The wall which encloses the buildings sets back
from the outer line of the property about 30 feet, so that the
acreage of the interior is about 18 acres. The stone walls are
35 feet in height above ground and 12 feet under the surface, so
that the entire height of the masonry is 47 feet. The wall is 6
feet wide at the top and about twice that width at the base, and
entirely enclosing four sides of the tract. The cost of this wall,
including labor and materials, was $835,000.

In the center of the building is a rotunda 80 feet in width and
about 70 feet in height, surmounted by a lantern. From this center
six one-story corridors, or blocks, radiate like the spokes of a
wheel. These vary somewhat in length, but average about 330 feet,
and there is an average of about 70 cells in each. The floor space
of each cell is 8×18 feet and the ceiling height is 13 feet,
surmounted by a skylight. Of these corridors, A, B, C, and D are
occupied by white prisoners, and two of the corridors, E and F, by
colored. The number of prisoners at this date, February 1st, 1912,
is 715, about ninety less than at this time last year. About 60 per
cent. are white and 40 per cent. colored. All the prisoners are
men. All women convicts are sent to the Moyamensing Prison.

The total number of cells is 440, and usually each cell is occupied
by two prisoners. Every cell is provided with a wash basin with
running water, a closet, two iron bedsteads, a table and one or two
stools. Each bedstead is provided with a mattress stuffed with 25
pounds of hand-picked corn husks and a 7-pound pillow of the same
material. Beside a pair of sheets and pillow cases each prisoner
has two 4-pound blankets of excellent quality.

When a prisoner enters he undergoes a careful examination and a
very complete record is made of all his personal characteristics.
He then goes to the bathing room. An entirely new suit of clothing
is given him, and the clothing with which he entered the prison
is tied up in a sack, to which his name is attached by a tag. The
sack is then placed in a room provided for that purpose, where it
remains until his discharge from the jail.

Wednesday and Thursday are bathing days, and each prisoner is
required to take a bath at least once a week unless the physician
certifies that the condition of the prisoner’s health would
render bathing inexpedient. A change of bedding and underclothing
is supplied to each prisoner on every Saturday.

About 200 of the prisoners are employed in various trades, in
carpentering 7, on tin work 2, making mattresses 2, as tailors
14, shoemakers 20, making brushes 10. These all occupy separate
apartments. In one additional apartment there are 15 hand looms, on
which are made the muslin used for sheets, etc. About 18 men are
employed in connection with this weaving. There are in the same
apartment 24 stocking weaving machines, employing one man each.
About 20 find employment in the laundry, and beside these there are
about 70 men employed in various duties, to wit: 14 men in cooking,
14 in the bake house, 6 in the boiler room, etc. The men employed
in these various engagements have their meals in a dining room
apart from the other prisoners, a room having 6 tables, seating 12
each.

The kitchen for this great establishment is a very spacious one and
very complete and convenient in all its appointments. There are 6
large steam heated copper boilers intended for making soups. In
these boilers 250 gallons of soup are made per day during 4 days of
the week and an equal quantity of what is known as Irish stew on
the other 3 days. The basis of the soup and stew is fresh beef or
mutton.

From 700 to 800 pounds of fresh meat is furnished to the jail every
day and is hung in a cold storage room, ready for use as wanted.
There is in addition another storage room in which are stored a
great quantity of canned tomatoes, barrels of rice, barley, etc.,
etc.

The bakery is also very spacious with 4 arched ovens and 4 kneading
troughs. Eight barrels of flour are converted into bread every day,
excepting on Sunday, a double quantity being baked on Saturday. The
number of loaves baked averages about 900 daily, the weight of each
being 2 pounds, this being a proportion of something more than one
loaf a day to each prisoner, and it is worth while to add that the
bread is uniformly baked and of unimpeachable quality.

Still another large room is used for the production of chocolate
and what is called coffee. It is necessary to state that no coffee
is used, but the article which passes by that name is rye, which is
roasted and ground and boiled in copper boilers; 25 pounds of this
material is used every morning and suffices to furnish about 3 half
pints to each prisoner.

An equal quantity of chocolate is furnished for the supper. A
dessert of prunes is furnished each prisoner on every Friday.

The boiler room, some 30×80 feet in dimensions, requires the
attention of 6 men, and from this room an extensive system of steam
piping permeates every portion of the buildings and furnishes the
power for the engine and for the electric lighting. Electric lights
are throughout all the premises, including each cell.

An ample supply of filtered water is furnished by the Holmesburg
and Tacony Water Co., for which the jail pays $2,000 per annum.

The city had under consideration a proposal to purchase this water
company, but the price at which it was valued, $146,000, seemed to
the authorities too high.

There are in the prison at this date 9 cases of tuberculosis. These
occupy cells entirely apart from the other prisoners, cells which
open out on one side to the open air. The patients have liberty
within and without, as their own pleasure and convenience suggests,
and when the weather is suitable most of their time is spent in
walking or lounging in the prison yard. Besides this, there are but
few cases of sickness in the prison at this time.

Up to within a recent period, the prisoners all wore striped
clothing, but on June 1st of last year this mark of distinction
was abolished and the prisoners were all given new suits free from
any distinctive mark. The striped clothing is now worn only as a
punishment for misdemeanor and for which purpose there has been
so far only little occasion. The exhibition of a suit of striped
clothing to a prisoner or the mere mention of a possibility of his
being compelled to wear one, has been found sufficient in most
cases to subdue and bring the most obdurate prisoners to terms.

There is a library of about 5,000 volumes. Each prisoner being
furnished with a catalogue is permitted to select as many as 2 or 3
books a week, the keepers often kindly assisting in making suitable
selections. Two or three men are constantly employed in the care of
the library and in rebinding the books, which become much soiled or
in need of rebinding.

There are religious services in each corridor on Sunday afternoon,
and at the close of that service the choir of colored men,
numbering about 20, give sacred singing from the center of the
rotunda, much to the enjoyment of the prisoners, all of whom can
hear distinctly, even from the farthest extremity of the corridors.

A very interesting and commendable condition of the Holmesburg
Jail is that the use of tobacco is prohibited. This prohibition
includes the use of chewing or smoking tobacco or cigars, and
extends not to the prisoners only, but to all the keepers. It is
said that although this is a hard experience to a large majority of
the prisoners on entering, they soon adapt themselves to it, and
from the standpoint of health are undoubtedly better off for this
abstinence.

The entire cost of the maintenance of this jail after deducting
about $5000 each year for sales of manufactured articles or of
waste materials, is a little less than $100,000, which money is
appropriated by City Councils.

If the chief aim in the erection of this prison was to secure a
place of confinement from which there would be but the remotest
possibility of escape, the end has certainly been attained, but no
one could go through the buildings and observe their harmonious and
intelligent adaptation to all requirements without the conviction
that the health and physical comfort of the prisoners had been
made the chief consideration. The visitor, however, will have much
occasion for dissatisfaction on finding that the majority of the
convicts are _without employment_, but this is no fault of the
Inspectors, who are charged with the administration of the affairs
of the prison; the law of the State is at fault in that it limits
to 35 per cent. of the whole number of convicts those who may be
employed in any of the trades, and, as a consequence, the greater
number of men are compelled to remain idle.

Notwithstanding this very much to be regretted condition, too much
cannot be said of the good order and effective discipline which
prevails at the Holmesburg Prison. A striking example of that was
had at the time of a great storm which occurred in the summer of
1911, which overturned a tall chimney stack and unroofed a portion
of the buildings. No effort was made by any prisoner to escape or
in any way to take advantage of the unfortunate circumstances, but
the utmost good order and propriety was observed by all of them.

J. L. B.

BORSTAL--ENGLAND.

(Extracts from letter of Daniel Buckley.)

Paris, February 24th, 1912.

... I have visited several prisons in England, amongst others,
Pentonville, of which Secretary Votaw has already written (in 1909)
and Borstal, which I shall make the subject of this letter.

... Borstal itself is in the country, in the county of Kent, about
three miles from, and between, the towns of Chatham and Rochester,
the former being reached by a forty-minute ride in a fast train
from London. It stands high on the hills overlooking a beautiful
valley, the shipping of Chatham and the Rochester Cathedral.
However, Borstal means much more than a local institution, for
it has given its name to a system of treatment during and after
confinement which has been so extraordinarily successful that
a modification of it is being practiced in nearly all British
prisons for both sexes. Unfortunately, I chose a Saturday for my
visit and as a sort of half-holiday is practiced there my view of
the different departments in operation was necessarily hurried,
and I cannot do better than give you, as much in his own words as
possible, the description given me by Thomas Holmes a day or two
before I made my visit.

In this place, since 1903, the Prison Commissioners have conducted
experiments with regard to young male prisoners from which they
have evolved the system to which the old prison has given its name.

“In reality, it is an attempt by the State, to rescue young persons
from a life of crime and fit them for an honest industrial life.
It is unnecessary to point out the value of such work nor to
say that it is a new departure from the ordinary aims of penal
administration.

“Of course there were many difficulties in the way and the Prison
Commissioners found themselves hampered by lack of funds; the State
being chary in giving requisite support. But in 1908 the system,
having proved abundantly successful, became part and parcel of the
penal system of the country and in 1909 prisons dealing only with
the young offenders between the ages of 16 and 21 became Borstal
institutions.

“Now a word in explanation of the method of selecting the inmates
and their treatment. In 1908 the prevention of Crimes Act was
passed, several clauses of which dealt with the reformation of
young offenders. That they may be perfectly understood, they are
given in full: