The stockade is an enclosure, or pen, made with posts or sticks stuck
in the ground. It is generally a temporary affair. These are to be
found in the South and Southwest mostly. Here is where the worst
treatment is to be found among the prisoners. Some of the southern
states are providing better for their prisoners, but others are far
behind what they should be. A stockade is sometimes made on the top
of a mountain or in some suitable place for working mines. In these
southern states not only mining is carried on by the prisoners, but
building of roads, railroads, and such like. For instance, where a
railroad is being built, large cars are roughly and strongly built in
which the prisoners are locked when not at their work. Women in some of
these places are required to clear the land, roll logs, do drudgery,
and in many instances are so shamefully used and treated that it is a
disgrace to a civilized nation. But while such is the case there are
noble men and women who are not connected with the prison, as well as
many of the more noble prison officers who have been working faithfully
for years to bring about a prison reform, and much has been done and is
being done on that line. However, could the veil be drawn aside that
all might fully realize the situation, the reformation would be more
rapid and effective. The stockades do not have literary privileges as
a general thing as do our older and well-established prisons. We have
received communications from officers in these stockades who are very
anxious to have good literature placed at their disposal, assuring us
that the same would be highly appreciated and used to the advantage of
the prisoners.