The Visiting Committee report 848 visits to the prison during the past
year, and including the new convict prison at Holmesburg, 6,191 visits
reported to prisoners either in the cells or at the cell doors.
The prisons are in good condition, and well kept, and are models for
county prisons. It is much to be regretted that every one committed,
especially those before trial, could not be kept in a separate cell.
Many of those were in prison for the first time, and often associated
with hardened criminals, thus rendering our county prisons the
nurseries of crime.
Robert C. Motherwell makes a most valuable and faithful Superintendent.
Too much credit cannot be given to the faithful visits of the lady
members of the committee, who have religious opportunities with the
women, and many of whom have had situations obtained for them, and are
known to be leading exemplary lives. Their mission does not cease with
their release from prison, but a watchful care is extended to them
after their discharge.
The Rev. Joseph J. Camp, the Prison Agent, appointed by the Inspectors,
is also a member of the Acting Committee. He has seen many years of
service there, and holds a position which is invaluable, and could
not well be dispensed with. There are numberless cases of persons who
should not be committed to the County Prison. Those cases he faithfully
investigates, and secures from the magistrates their release as soon as
possible. Very many boys run away from home, stealing rides on freight
trains--they are arrested, and sent to prison. He looks up such cases,
writes to the parents, who reply that it is their desire that they
should be sent back. They are by that time very penitent, and are put
on the cars for home. He acts, too, as a peacemaker between families.
We honor him for the good work he is doing.
Frederick J. Pooley, the agent of the Society at the County Prison
is displaying much zeal and energy in the performance of his arduous
duties, and I can but repeat what I have heretofore said of him. He
is in love with his work, and feels that God is blessing his services
there. He says that while there are many clouds along his pathway, yet
he sees more of the sunshine that leads him on to greater efforts in
the work in which God has been pleased to call him. His earnest desire
is that he may be a benefit both in spiritual and temporal things to
those who have become inmates of a prison-cell. Services are held there
every Sabbath in the morning for the men, in the afternoon for the
women. Once a month he has charge of the latter, and is listened to
with marked attention. The committee as well as the management of the
County Prison is fortunate in securing the services of such a valuable
assistant. He takes especial interest in looking after the many boys
who get into trouble--often runaways from home, whom he sends back.
Interesting letters have frequently been received from them.
Some of the cases are worthy of mention. One whom he sent to Atlantic
City writes thus: “I take pleasure in letting you know I have got work,
and to let you know what a little kindness and good advice will do for
a poor fellow who is struggling to lead an honest life.” In reply, he
advised him to attend some place of worship and to keep from drink.
Again the boy writes: “I will try to live up to your advice; I attended
church this A. M., the first time in years, and with the help of God,
I cannot go wrong. I am working every day, but I am making an honest
living--honest dollars are the best kind of dollars--I have fully made
up my mind to that.”
A boy whom he sent home to his parents in Newark, N. J., writes: “I am
going to work this P. M., and with God’s help, will try to make a man
of myself.”
Another boy says, “I owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be
paid;” and another writes, “I am going to night-school, to church and
Sunday-school, and am trying to be a good boy.”
From a boy he sent home: “I arrived in Baltimore safe, and my mother
met me at the depot. I thank you very much for your kindness to me.”
These are cases of boys who have ran away from home, steal rides on
freight cars and are arrested when they are arrived and sent to the
County Prison, often put in with those who are adepts in crime, their
parents are written to, who request that they be sent home. If the
money is not sent for the return fare, the Prison Society pays it. Much
good is done in this way.