Was recorded on the death of Michael J. Cassidy, Phila., Pa.; Joseph
Nicholson, Detroit, Mich.; Mr. Yale, California, members of the
Association.
WILLIAM CHAMBERLAIN, warden State Prison, Jackson, Mich., spoke of
discipline in his State Penitentiary, that the conditions were laid
down by the State Board of Control. The law governing penitentiary
officers, wardens and chaplains, is that they become acquainted with
the inner life of the prisoner, and there is a desire on the part of
the men to conform to the rules. There are always some incorrigibles.
We have a system of graded schools, and graded prisoners. Four and a
half hours a week for discipline of prisoners, the officers become
acquainted with the natural abilities of the prisoner, and are able to
report fully to the warden. There are two ways of governing the man,
Force or Persuasion, the latter, the best of all, if it succeeds.
Life terms in Colorado average less than 9 years, longest term is 16
years. There are now 160 life terms.
Chaplain Batt thought we ought not to use the words “Criminal and
Convict”; in Massachusetts it was never used, but “Prisoners and Men”;
never inmates, they hated to be called inmates.
Many of the wardens claimed it impossible to hold any conference daily
with employees. At Concord, Mass., Reformatory they meet at 5.30 P. M.
daily. Chaplain Batt spoke of heads of prisons summoning employees for
detail work, and referred to the report of Commodore Nelson summoning
all his officers to his ship, to make ready for the battle; the battle
was really fought in the cabin of his own flagship.