In presenting this, my Twelfth Annual Report, I feel more and more
solemnly impressed with the magnitude of the work in which I have
been for so many years engaged, the importance of which cannot be
overestimated and I have faithfully endeavored to perform my duty,
seeking for Divine guidance in all of my undertakings. The Pennsylvania
Prison Society has its officers and an Acting Committee of fifty other
members, who, by act of the Legislature, are made official visitors to
the Penitentiary and County Prisons. They are particularly interested
in visiting the Eastern Penitentiary and the two County Prisons in this
city, and the House of Correction--though we have members who visit the
County Prisons of the State and make reports to the General Committee.
The members, after a careful visitation of the convicts in their cells,
endeavor to gain their confidence, and thus become friends to them,
which is kept up frequently long after their discharge. We encourage a
correspondence with them after they leave the prison, so that we can
retain an influence over them for good and continued good.
Many interesting letters have been received, showing that what has been
done was warmly appreciated, and instances are not wanting where they
are leading honest lives, and are willing to admit that the lives they
had been leading were dragging them down in ruin and could thankfully
say that their incarceration had been a blessing to them, and they had
determined with the Lord’s help, to lead better lives.
We have earnest, faithful Christian women members of the committee who
visit the women prisoners of the Penitentiary, the County Prisons, and
the House of Correction. In this connection I desire to call attention
to the efforts which are being made to establish a temporary Home for
discharged women prisoners, an institution which has been much needed,
where they can remain a short time until they can obtain situations,
in the meantime being under Christian influences. There is also the
Howard Institution for discharged women prisoners, situated on Popular
street, near Sixteenth street, where they have a comfortable home and
are taught house-work and laundry, and being expected to stay at least
six months, there is hope for reformation for those who desire to lead
better lives.