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NEW SERIES Nos. 47 and 48
PUBLISHED ANNUALLY
BY THE
PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY
INSTITUTED MAY 8, 1787
THE JOURNAL
OF
PRISON DISCIPLINE
AND
PHILANTHROPY
JANUARY, 1909
OFFICE: STATE HOUSE ROW
S. W. CORNER FIFTH AND CHESTNUT STREETS
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
OFFICIAL VISITORS.
No person who is not an official visitor of the prison, or who has not a
written permission, according to such rules as the Inspectors may adopt
as aforesaid, shall be allowed to visit the same; the official visitors
are: the Governor, the Speaker and members of the Senate; the Speaker
and members of the House of Representatives; the Secretary of the
Commonwealth; the Judges of the Supreme Court; the Attorney-General and
his Deputies; the President and Associate Judges of all the courts in
the State; the Mayor and Recorders of the cities of Philadelphia,
Lancaster, and Pittsburg; Commissioners and Sheriffs of the several
Counties; and the “Acting Committee of the Philadelphia Society for
Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons.” (Note: Now named “The
Pennsylvania Prison Society.”)--_Section 7, Act of April 23, 1829._
The above was supplemented by the following Act, approved March 20,
1903:
AN ACT.
To make active or visiting committees of societies incorporated
for the purpose of visiting and instructing prisoners official
visitors of penal and reformatory institutions.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted, etc., That the active or visiting 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_.
[Illustration: RIGHT REV. WILLIAM WHITE, D. D., LL. D.
First President of The Pennsylvania Prison Society, from 1787 to 1836.]
NEW SERIES NOS. 47 AND 48.
THE JOURNAL
OF
PRISON DISCIPLINE
AND
PHILANTHROPY
PUBLISHED ANNUALLY
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF “THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY”
INSTITUTED MAY 8TH, 1787
JANUARY, 1909
OFFICE: STATE HOUSE ROW
S. W. CORNER FIFTH AND CHESTNUT STREETS
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
THE
PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY
(FORMERLY CALLED THE PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR ALLEVIATING THE MISERIES
OF PUBLIC PRISONS.)
Place of Meeting, S. W. Cor. Fifth and Chestnut Sts., Philadelphia.
The 122d Annual Meeting of “THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY” was held
First month (January) 28th, 1909.
The meeting was called to order by the President, JOSHUA L. BAILY, at
whose request the Vice-President, the REV. H. L. DUHRING, D. D., took
the chair.
The Secretary, JOHN J. LYTLE, being absent on account of illness, ALBERT
H. VOTAW was appointed Secretary _pro tem_.
The Minutes of the 121st Annual Meeting were read and approved.
The Treasurer presented a report which was satisfactory. (See page 15.)
The officers and the members of the Acting Committee for 1909 were
elected. (See pages 3 and 4.)
GEORGE S. WETHERELL, on behalf of the Acting Committee, presented a
draft of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the Society. This
report was referred to the Acting Committee for further consideration.
The Nominating Committee presented the following resolution:
“In recognition of the long, faithful and unselfish services of JOHN J.
LYTLE as Secretary of ‘THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY,’ the Nominating
Committee recommend that he be elected Honorary Secretary....”
The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote.
ALBERT H. VOTAW, _Secretary_.
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 Congress 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 at the
Eastern Penitentiary and at the Philadelphia County Prison. 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.
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR 1909.
PRESIDENT
JOSHUA L. BAILY, 30 S. Fifteenth Street, Philadelphia.
VICE-PRESIDENTS
REV. HERMAN L. DUHRING, D. D., 225 S. Third Street, Philadelphia.
REV. F. H. SENFT, 360 N. Twentieth Street, Philadelphia.
TREASURER
JOHN WAY, 409 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
SECRETARIES
ALBERT H. VOTAW, 300 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
FRED. J. POOLEY, 300 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
COUNSELORS
HON. WM. N. ASHMAN, Forty-fourth and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia.
HENRY S. CATTELL, 1218 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
THE ACTING COMMITTEE
John J. Lytle Moorestown, N. J.
John H. Dillingham 140 N. Sixteenth Street, Philadelphia.
P. H. Spellissy 120 S. Eighteenth Street, Philadelphia.
Dr. Emily J. Ingram Telford, Pa.
William Scattergood West Chester, Pa.
Mrs. P. W. Lawrence 1338 N. Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia.
Mary S. Whelen 1520 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
William Koelle 1209 Girard Avenue, Philadelphia.
Rev. R. Heber Barnes 600 N. Thirty-second Street, Philadelphia.
Dr. William C. Stokes 2003 Arch Street, Philadelphia.
William T. W. Jester 412 Spruce Street, Philadelphia.
Deborah C. Leeds West Chester, Pa.
Mrs. Horace Fassett 220 S. Twentieth Street, Philadelphia.
George R. Meloney 4809 Springfield Avenue, Philadelphia.
Joseph C. Noblit 1521 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia.
Miss C. V. Hodges 2102 Master Street, Philadelphia.
Rebecca P. Latimer 4131 Westminster Avenue, Philadelphia.
Rev. Floyd W. Tomkins, D. D. 1904 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
Rev. J. F. Ohl 826 S. St.Bernard Street, Philadelphia.
Harry Kennedy Eaglesville, Pa.
Layyah Barakat 236 S. Forty-fourth Street, Philadelphia.
William E. Tatum 843 N. Forty-first Street, Philadelphia.
Mary S. Wetherell 2036 Race Street, Philadelphia.
George S. Wetherell 2036 Race Street. Philadelphia.
Henry C. Cassel 2316 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia.
Albert Oetinger Warminster, Pa.
Rev. Philip Lamerdin Olney, Philadelphia.
David Sulzberger 316 Race Street, Philadelphia.
Mrs. E. W. Gormly Pittsburg, Pa.
A. Jackson Wright 2141 N. Camac Street, Philadelphia.
Frank H. Longshore 2359 E. Cumberland Street, Philadelphia.
Charles H. LeFevre 827 Race Street. Philadelphia.
Mrs. E. M. Stillwell 1248 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia.
Solomon G. Engle 648 N. Thirty-ninth Street, Philadelphia.
Charles P. Hastings 2304 N. Twenty-second Street, Philadelphia.
Isaac P. Miller 409 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
Elias H. White West End Trust Building, Philadelphia.
John Smallzell Haddonfield, N. J.
John D. Hampton Twenty-ninth and Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia.
John A Duncan 257 S. Fifty-first Street, Philadelphia.
Jonas G. Clemmer 2209 N. Franklin Street, Philadelphia.
Charles McDole 812 Race Street, Philadelphia.
Samuel B. Garrigues 1719 N. Twenty-eighth Street, Philadelphia.
Harrison Walton 1706 Columbia Avenue, Philadelphia.
Rev. C. Theodore Benze Erie, Pa.
Rev. A. J. D. Haupt, D. D. Pittsburg, Pa.
Arthur Buckler 2209 Tulip Avenue, Philadelphia.
Mrs. Mary S. Grigg 1235 N. Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia.
C. Wilfred Conard Lansdowne, Pa.
Henry W. Comfort Fallsington, Pa.
COMMITTEES.
_Visiting Committee for the Eastern State Penitentiary_:
John J. Lytle, Rev. Philip Lamerdin, Charles P. Hastings,
P. H. Spellissy, Harry Kennedy, Solomon G. Engle,
John H. Dillingham, Layyah Barakat, Isaac P. Miller,
William Koelle, Rev. J. F. Ohl, Elias H. White,
Rev. R. Heber Barnes, William E. Tatum, John Smallzell,
Dr. William C. Stokes, Mary S. Wetherell, John D. Hampton,
William T. W. Jester, George S. Wetherell, Jonas G. Clemmer,
Deborah C, Leeds, Henry C. Cassel, Charles McDole,
Mrs. Horace Fassett, Albert Oetinger, Samuel B. Garrigues,
George R. Meloney, David Sulzberger, Harrison Walton,
Joseph C. Noblit, Frank H. Longshore, Arthur Buckler,
Rebecca P. Latimer, A. J. Wright, Mrs. Mary S. Grigg,
Rev. Floyd W. Tomkins, Charles H. LeFevre, Albert H. Votaw.
_Visiting Committee for the Philadelphia County Prison_:
Fred. J. Pooley, William T. W. Jester, Mary S. Wetherell,
Dr. Emily J. Ingram, Deborah C. Leeds, David Sulzberger,
Mrs. P. W. Lawrence, Mrs. Horace Fassett, Mrs. E. M. Stillwell,
Mary S. Whelen, Miss C. V. Hodges, John A. Duncan.
_For the Holmesburg Prison_:
Fred. J. Pooley, David Sulzberger.
_For the Chester County Prison_:
William Scattergood, Deborah C. Leeds.
_For the Delaware County Prison_:
Deborah C. Leeds, C. Wilfred Conard.
_For the Western Penitentiary and Allegheny County Prison_:
Rev. A. J. D. Haupt, D. D., Mrs. E. W. Gormly.
_For the Bucks County Prison_:
Henry W. Comfort.
_For the Erie County Prison_:
Rev. C. Theodore Benze.
_For the Counties of the State at Large_:
Fred. J. Pooley, Deborah C. Leeds, Mrs. E. W. Gormly.
Layyah Barakat, Albert H. Votaw,
_For the House of Correction_:
Fred. J. Pooley, David Sulzberger, Layyah Barakat,
Deborah C. Leeds.
_Auditors of Acting Committee_:
Charles P. Hastings, Dr. Wm. C. Stokes, John Smallzell.
_Editorial Committee_:
Rev. J. F. Ohl, Rev. R. Heber Barnes, Dr. Wm. C. Stokes.
John Way, Albert H. Votaw,
_On Membership in the Acting Committee_:
Dr. Wm. C. Stokes, Albert Oetinger, Charles P. Hastings.
George S. Wetherell, Elias H. White,
_On Finance_:
George S. Wetherell, David Sulzberger, A. Jackson Wright.
Joseph C. Noblit, C. Wilfred Conard,
_On Discharged Prisoners_:
Joseph C. Noblit, George S. Wetherell, Dr. Wm. C. Stokes.
Mrs. Horace Fassett, Mrs. P. W. Lawrence,
_Auditors of the Society_:
A. Jackson Wright, Elias H. White.
_On Police Matrons in Station Houses_:
Mrs. P. W. Lawrence, Dr. Emily J. Ingram, Mary S. Wetherell.
_On Prison Sunday_:
Rev. H. L. Duhring, D. D., Rev. R. Heber Barnes, Rev. J. F. Ohl.
Rev. F. H. Senft,
_On Legislation_:
Rev. J. F. Ohl, Joseph C. Noblit, Rev. R. Heber Barnes.
David Sulzberger, Elias H. White,
JOURNAL OF PRISON DISCIPLINE AND PHILANTHROPY
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND YEAR.
1787. OF 1909.
THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY
ANNUAL REPORT OF JOHN J. LYTLE, GENERAL SECRETARY.
In submitting this, my Eighteenth Report, covering the last two years, I
realize that I have much cause for gratitude. For a large part of this
time, I have been blessed with health and strength to continue my labors
among the prisoners of the Eastern Penitentiary.
I have been an Official Visitor at this institution for fifty-six years,
and for more than a score of years I have given my entire service to
this work for which I have felt that I had a special call.
While providing prisoners at the time of their discharge with a
respectable outfit, it has also been my earnest desire to point them to
the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. I have also
continued my visits to the cells of the prisoners, and I have felt that
a blessing has attended my efforts. While I can never know the result of
these labors, I have worked in faith endeavoring to minister to both
their temporal and spiritual needs. Many have confessed to me that their
imprisonment had been to them a blessing. Arrested in their career of
crime, they had resolved to lead better lives in the future. I have not
doubted their sincerity, and have encouraged such to seek Divine help.
It is right to protect the community, and the law-breaker must suffer
the penalty for his crime, but while he is incarcerated it is our duty
to avail ourselves of the opportunity to instruct him and to plead with
him to follow better ideals. Indeed, I have felt it a great privilege to
sit beside a prisoner in his cell and tell him of the “old, old story of
Jesus and his love.”
From careful inquiries, I am satisfied that the most of the prisoners
can trace their downfall to indulgence in drink and the social evil.
THE EASTERN PENITENTIARY.
At the Eastern Penitentiary several thousand visits are annually made by
the members of the Acting Committee of the Pennsylvania Prison Society.
This Committee is composed of clergymen and laymen, men and women. To
each block one or more visitors are assigned, and it is believed that
the interviews held by these with the prisoners, either in their cells
or at the cell doors, are productive of much good. The lady visitors of
the Committee are all assigned to the women’s block. Here a Bible class
is held every Sabbath afternoon; and the matron is also earnestly and
constantly interested in the spiritual welfare of those in her care. On
every Sabbath morning, at 9 o’clock, service is held in each of the
corridors under the direction of the moral instructor, the Rev. Joseph
Welsh. The speakers are supplied by the Local Preachers’ Association of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Protestant Episcopal City Mission
and the Lutheran City Mission.
The total amount expended by the Society during the last two years for
the use of prisoners at the time of their discharge was $5,152.54, and
for tools $93.30.
The following are the statistics of population at the Penitentiary
during 1908.
White Colored Total
Males Females Males Females
Number remaining from 1907 925 12 280 8 1,225
Committed during 1908 524 4 137 8 673
----- -- --- -- -----
Total population 1,449 16 417 16 1,898
Discharged during 1908 318 5 92 3 418
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Remaining December 31, 1908 1,131 11 325 13 1,480
THE DISCHARGES WERE AS FOLLOWS:
By Commutation 357
” Order of Court 8
” Time expired 20
” Pardon 9
” Order of Huntingdon Reformatory 9
” Death 15
---
Total 418
Average daily population for 1908 1,371
Largest number in confinement during the year 1,486
Smallest number in confinement during the year 1,225
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISON
There are two County Prisons in Philadelphia, under the same Board of
Inspectors, one at Tenth and Reed Streets, known as “Moyamensing,” and
the other at Holmesburg. The former is used chiefly for prisoners
awaiting trial and for those serving short terms for minor offenses; the
latter, for those who are sentenced to longer terms.
Cleanliness and good order prevail in both institutions, but both are
overcrowded. “Separate and solitary confinement” may be a part of the
sentence, but the insufficiency of the accommodations renders it
impossible to carry out this provision of the law. Since there is
abundant room for additional buildings at Holmesburg, it is unfortunate
that the county authorities do not erect as many buildings as may be
needed.
Frederick J. Pooley, the Society’s Agent at the County Prisons, also
considers it very unfortunate that those awaiting trial, some of whom
may be found innocent, have their minds contaminated by listening to the
stories of the older criminals. When released from prison they are the
more easily induced to enter upon a criminal career.
Mr. Pooley visits Moyamensing three times a week and Holmesburg twice a
week. He gives special attention to those who have been committed by
magistrates for short terms. These he interviews as soon as they are
committed, and when he feels assured that anyone is being wrongfully or
unduly punished, he takes measures to have him released. He regards the
untried department as an especially fruitful field of work.
OTHER PRISONS
Among other prisons visited by members of the Acting Committee are the
following: Chester County, by William Scattergood; Delaware County, by
Deborah C. Leeds; the Western Penitentiary, by the Rev. A. J. D. Haupt,
D. D., and Mrs. E. W. Gormly; Erie and Warren Counties, by the Rev. C.
Theodore Benze.
THE DOOR OF BLESSING
The door of Blessing, at 4220 Chester Avenue, was founded and is
conducted by Mrs. Horace Fassett. Its object is to provide a home for
women discharged from prison until they shall return to their relatives
or be put in the way of earning a livelihood. During 1908 forty women
and one infant were admitted. Thirty of these women were from the County
Prison, two from the Eastern Penitentiary, one from the House of
Correction and three were sent by magistrates. Of the whole number five
were returned to their homes in other states, seven to their homes in
Philadelphia, twenty-two left to take positions and four to look for
work. Only six are known to have resumed their former evil life. The
Door of Blessing is indeed what its name implies, as many of the women
who have been its inmates are now leading orderly lives.
THE HOME OF INDUSTRY
The Home of Industry, Seventy-third Street and Paschall Avenue, Mr.
Frank H. Starr, Superintendent, is doing for men what the Door of
Blessing is designed to do for women. It provides food and shelter,
gives employment at broom-making, for which regular wages are paid, and
seeks to bring all who seek it under the saving power of the Gospel. Its
success in reclaiming men has been very pronounced.
* * * * *
From the minutes of the Society:
ISAAC SLACK.
Born 1832. Died 1907.
The subject of this sketch was born in Cumberland County, England.
About the time of the Civil War he came to America and located in
Philadelphia.
He joined The Pennsylvania Prison Society about the year 1886, and
subsequently became one of the most interested and active members
of the Acting Committee. Though without educational advantages in
his early life, and therefore self-taught and self-made, he had a
remarkably clear insight into many of the social problems of the
day, and knew how to give his convictions and conclusions forceful
expression when occasion demanded.
His largely attended funeral brought together many friends unknown
to his immediate family, to whom he had been a confidential
adviser, and whom he had befriended in many ways.
The Society, the prisoners, and others have therefore suffered a
genuine loss in his death, and it is with sincere sorrow that we
record his demise.
With the earnest desire that the work of The Pennsylvania Prison Society
may continue to grow and prosper, I submit this report.
JOHN J. LYTLE,
_Secretary_.
SUMMARY OF THE WORK OF THE ACTING COMMITTEE.
With the exception of two months in the summer, meetings of the Acting
Committee have been regularly held every month since the last number of
THE JOURNAL was issued.
An important part of the work of the Society consists in the personal
visitation of prisoners for the purpose of fostering in them higher
ideals and bringing about their spiritual improvement. As will be seen
in the General Secretary’s report, this work has continued to receive
faithful attention.
A committee is at work revising the Constitution and By-Laws of the
Society, and it is expected that their report will be made and adopted
before the beginning of next year.
We desire to extend our sincere thanks to the generous friends of our
cause, without whose contributions we could not carry on our work.
During the last year it has been more difficult than usual to secure
financial aid, doubtless in consequence of the recent depression in
business. We hope that all our friends whose means will admit will
continue their practical assistance.
At the meeting of the committee held June 18, 1908, the venerable
Secretary, John J. Lytle, submitted his resignation, with the
understanding that he would continue his duties as the Society’s Agent
at the Eastern Penitentiary. The following resolution relative thereto
was adopted at an adjourned stated meeting of the Acting Committee held
June 29, 1908:
WHEREAS, our friend, John J. Lytle, having reached the
eighty-fifth year of his age, asks to be released as Secretary of
the Acting Committee, also as General Secretary,
_Therefore be it resolved_, that the Acting Committee, in acceding
to his request, place on record its appreciation of the faithful
performance of his duties in both these positions throughout the
many years he has served the Committee. First elected as Secretary
in 1852, afterward as General Secretary in 1886, John J. Lytle has
served the Society officially for more than fifty-six years.
During this long period he has constantly kept a single eye to the
prisoners’ welfare and through storm or heat has stood ready to
sacrifice himself on their behalf. We are still to have the
benefit of his long experience as Secretary of the Society and as
Prison Agent. May the freedom now gained from arduous secretarial
duties so relieve him that he may, with the more vigor, prosecute
the work at the Eastern State Penitentiary on behalf of the
discharged prisoners, the phase of our work which he feels most
deeply laid on his heart.
Albert H. Votaw was elected as Secretary of the Acting Committee to
serve until the time of the next annual meeting.
The newly elected Secretary was subsequently authorized to make a
systematic visitation of the County Prisons of Eastern Pennsylvania. His
report of these visits will be found below.
On behalf of the Acting Committee.
ALBERT H. VOTAW,
_Secretary_.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY ON THE CONDITION OF PRISONS IN EASTERN
PENNSYLVANIA.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., 12th mo. 1, 1908.
To the Acting Committee, Pennsylvania Prison Society,
Philadelphia, Pa.
DEAR FRIENDS:
In accordance with a resolution of the Acting Committee, adopted at a
special meeting held 6th mo. 29, 1908, authorizing the Secretary to
visit some prisons in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, I now present
the following report:
Since that time I have visited the prisons in thirty-eight counties,
including the State Reformatory at Huntingdon, and I am gratified to
report that I have been received everywhere with courtesy, and have been
enabled to maintain cordial relations with all prison officials whom I
have met. Interviews at some length have been held with sheriffs,
wardens, under-keepers, inspectors, and the fullest freedom has been
granted to inspect the prisons and to speak with the prisoners. As a
rule these officials appear to be discharging their duties as well as
the equipment of the prisons allows and as faithfully as the conditions
admit. Some of the caretakers seem to have a genuine interest for the
best welfare of those over whom they have been placed.
I am under the impression that there has been improvement in recent
years in the direction of securing a greater degree of cleanliness and
better sanitation, and while much of this improvement is due to the
various county officials, it must not be forgotten that along these
lines the State Board of Charities has rendered important service.
In twenty-four of the prisons visited the prisoners have little or no
labor to perform, although the sentence of the presiding judge may have
been “to separate and solitary confinement at hard labor.” In no prison
is the work arduous. The majority of prisoners welcome opportunities to
work. Such occupation is refreshing, as it aids them in whiling away the
tedium of their hours of restraint. I heard of no complaints arising
from the necessity of laboring, but I did hear complaint arising from
the scarcity of employment. In several places both officials and
prisoners claim that they are hampered by the State regulations on the
subject of prison labor.
“Separate and solitary confinement” is a portion of the sentence which
is honored more in the breach than in the observance. It is almost
impossible, considering the limited facilities of most of the prisons,
to carry out this enactment. In some of the smaller prisons the
prisoners are together during most of the day with entire freedom to
engage in games, conversation and such exercise as their quarters will
permit. At a few of the smaller jails the full freedom of the yard is
allowed at all times of the day. It is a source of deep regret that in
some prisons the juvenile criminals are confined in the same part of the
prison with the older lawbreakers. Usually the boys who have been
convicted are very soon sent to the State Reformatory at Huntingdon, but
while awaiting trial, or while serving short sentences, they are held in
county prisons where there are no arrangements for the segregation of
the male prisoners. The women prisoners are usually entirely segregated,
but in a few prisons they are confined in cells opening into the same
corridors which the men use.
A complete prison ought to have several distinct departments: one for
men, one for women, one for boys, one for vagrants and common drunkards,
and probably a department for those who are for the first time held for
trial. Few of the prisons of the State are so constructed as to admit of
such segregation. It seems pitiful that hardened criminals should have
such opportunity to corrupt the minds of the young or of those who have
committed their first offense under peculiar circumstances of
temptation. Those prisons which are constructed with the cells back to
back, with door opening into a corridor toward the outside wall of the
building, admit more readily of the separation of the various classes of
criminals. This plan affords better facilities for light and
cheerfulness, and commands some view of the courtyard. It does not give
the individual prisoner the opportunity to get air directly from the
outside. When such prisons are built, with an additional narrow corridor
between the cells at the rear, this objection is in part obviated. At
York a prison has recently been built on this general plan. Being three
stories in height, it contains several separate subdivisions. The
addition to the prison at Allentown, now in process of construction,
will have accommodations for about one hundred prisoners, and the
commissioners have adopted some of the distinctive features of the York
prison.
Your Secretary made some inquiries as to the daily rations, and
discovered quite a variety of bills of fare. In more than one half of
these prisons there is a _per diem_ allowance for the maintenance of the
prisoners. This allowance varies in the prisons visited from fourteen
cents to fifty cents. In the smaller prisons this allowance should of
necessity be proportionately larger than in the prisons of the more
populous counties; but there is a constant tendency, where this
allowance is made, to take profit on the transaction, and it appears to
be the understanding in some counties that the sheriff is to receive
some of his compensation from this source. In one large prison, where
there are about one hundred and thirty occupants, the daily ration
consists of bread and coffee, the bread being served three times and the
coffee twice. Soup is given three times during the week. The allowance
for provisions at this prison is thirty cents a day. Those prisoners who
have means are allowed to purchase additional supplies from tradesmen,
and they can make arrangements to have meat, oysters, etc., especially
cooked and served, if they will meet the additional expense. The
privilege of purchasing little comforts and additional provisions is
almost universal. It is a surprising fact that in one or two prisons it
is possible for prisoners to procure, either by purchase or from their
friends, a supply of intoxicating drinks. Generally the supply of food
is ample and the quality fair. In two or three jails the food is sent
from the sheriff’s table. On the whole I am inclined to the belief that
the best diet conditions prevail where the authorities let contracts for
supplies every three or six months. In prisons where the number of
prisoners is fifty or more the daily cost of maintaining a prisoner is
from ten cents to twelve cents. I noted in one small county, where a
rather profuse bill of fare is served, that the cost was about thirty
cents a day.
Vagrants, drunkards and railroad trespassers are often treated with
considerable rigor. They may have bread and water for diet and a plank
for a bed. In one prison a third offense of this kind is punished with
confinement in a small, dark, unfurnished cell for thirty days on diet
of bread and water. But in many of the smaller jails these distinctions
of punishment are not observed.
It is quite possible that men of just that laudable combination of
talent which may fit them for both restraining and reforming the erring
are rarely to be found, but surely more attention should be given to the
selection of men who have adaptation for such an important work. A
faculty for both ruling and governing is an important qualification, but
in no field of labor is there more need of a sympathetic spirit, of
power to implant new motives and to inspire with desires to lead a
better life. These positions should not be regarded merely as a reward
for political services. I am glad to report that some of the men in
charge appear to realize their duties and responsibilities. Let me call
attention to one warden, who, entirely unarmed, calls a company, largely
belonging to the famous “Black Hand,” about him in the open yard and
asks them to relate stories of their homes once under Italian skies. The
same official spoke with feeling of the religious services on the
Sabbath and of the conversions and requests for prayer. It is possible
that those prison officials who report that all religious services
accomplish not the slightest good are themselves not very susceptible to
impressions of a religious nature. On the other hand, if these religious
services are performed perfunctorily, with lack of evidence of Christian
fellowship, the convicts receive little or no benefit.
In most of the counties visited the prisons are under the direct care of
the sheriff, who holds his office for only one term of three years.
Before he has scarcely served an apprenticeship in prison management his
successor assumes the duties and begins a new apprenticeship; hence many
of the county jails, from one decade to another, are under the care of
apprentices. Other things being equal, I have the impression that the
best results in prison administration are found in those prisons which
are under the care of a warden, who may hold his office year after year
so long as he gives satisfaction. This office calls for efficiency,
which is obtained by training and experience, supplemented by good
executive ability, and should not be granted merely as a reward for
political services. Since the care of the prisoners is, in most of the
counties, a minor part of the duties of the sheriff, I think it might
properly be considered whether the county jails should be placed in the
charge of some official appointed by the commissioners. Such a man would
be chosen with direct reference to fitness for such work.
The subject of commutation of sentences has received special attention.
There is much ignorance in some of the smaller counties about the
application of commutation, and prisoners often serve the entire term
for which they have been sentenced, although by statute they have earned
by good behavior a diminution of their sentence. The statute provides
that “every convict confined in any State prison, penitentiary,
workhouse or county jail in this State on a conviction of felony or
misdemeanor, whether male or female, where the term or terms equals or
exceeds one year, exclusive of any term which may be imposed by the
court or by statute as an alternative to the payment of a fine, or a
term of life imprisonment, may, if the Governor shall so direct, and
with the approval of the Board of Inspectors, or Managers, earn for
himself or herself a diminution of his sentence or sentences.” Now while
this statute explicitly mentions those sentenced to a term in county
jail as coming under the provisions of this statute, yet in about one
fourth of the counties visited there is little attempt to secure for the
prisoners the benefit of this statute. As the sheriffs are in office
only three years and have manifold duties, they do not become familiar
with the provisions of all the statutes relative to prisons and
prisoners. It is provided by law that all prisoners sentenced to a term
of one year or more, excepting those sentenced for life, should be
promptly informed of this provision by which, by good behavior, they can
secure a diminution of their sentences. This is neglected in several
counties. It is true that those sentenced for the longer terms are taken
to the State Penitentiary, yet there are many in the county prisons
serving sentences for from one to ten years. In one county the services
of an attorney may be secured to aid in getting the commutation, but
those who lack means to employ an attorney serve out their time. This is
unjust to the prisoner who has behaved satisfactorily, and besides
imposes on the county a charge from which it might readily be spared.
Copies of the law have been given to the officials in charge of the
prisons, the conditions have been explained and blanks indicating the
information which is to be forwarded to the Governor of the State for
his action in the premises have been supplied; and your Secretary has
reason to believe that a large number of prisoners will in the future
receive the commutation which they have earned.
As will be seen from our reports, this Society is engaged in very
important service for the prisoners in the Philadelphia County Prison
and in the Eastern Penitentiary, both while in prison and after they
have been discharged, which work we have no intention to relinquish; but
in whatever way this Society enlarges its present field of labor
throughout the State, its work would in greater degree correspond to its
corporate title, THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY. In conclusion I desire
to call attention to the hope expressed by the retiring Secretary, John
J. Lytle, in the report made in 1907, that the “Pennsylvania Prison
Society may constantly widen its scope of operations and grow in
efficiency and usefulness as it grows in years.”
Very respectfully,
ALBERT H. VOTAW,
_Secretary_.
JOHN WAY, _Treasurer_,
IN ACCOUNT WITH
THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY
RECEIPTS.
1908.
January 21. To Balance on hand $841 26
” Members’ Dues and Contributions 278 00
” Net Income from Investments 1,748 02
” Income from I. V. Williamson Legacy 645 00
” Interest on balances to November 30, 1908 58 46
---------
$3,570 74
PAYMENTS
By Salaries $2,337 48
” Printing and Postage 130 85
” Janitor Service 97 00
” Advertising in P. E. City Mission Directory 5 00
” Expense, Committee on Police Matrons 3 00
” ” Delegates to National Prison Congress 92 83
” Traveling Expenses of Secretaries 114 83
” Office Expenses, Incidentals 23 10
” Engrossing and Framing Minute to J. J. Lytle 8 20
” Amount to Cover Overdraft in Principal Account 40 00
” Accrued Interest on Bonds Bought 44 69
” Balance on hand December 31, 1908 673 76
---------
$3,570 74
SPECIAL FUND FOR RELIEF OF DISCHARGED PRISONERS
RECEIPTS
To Balance on hand January 21, 1908 $608 60
” Contributions 2,455 60
” Income from Investments (net) 135 24
---------
$3,199 44
PAYMENTS
By Discharged Prisoners from Eastern Penitentiary $1,821 92
” ” ” ” Philadelphia County Prison 885 00
” Balance on hand 492 52
---------
$3,199 44
BARTON FUND
FOR TOOLS FOR DISCHARGED PRISONERS
RECEIPTS
To Balance on hand January 21, 1908 $153 13
” Income from Investments 30 87
-------
$184 00
PAYMENTS
By Amount for tools for discharged prisoners $45 26
” Balance on hand December 31, 1908 138 74
-------
$184 00
HOME OF INDUSTRY FUND
RECEIPTS
To Income from Harriet S. Benson Legacy $392 00
” ” ” Caroline S. Williams Legacy 222 41
-------
$614 41
PAYMENTS
By $500 Springfield Water Co. Consol. 5% Bond due 1926
at 101⅜ and interest $506 88
” Accrued Interest on above Bond, one month and
twenty-nine days 4 10
” Balance on hand December 31, 1908 103 43
-------
$614 41
SUMMARY OF BALANCES
On General Fund $673 76
” Special Fund for Discharged Prisoners 492 52
” Barton Fund 138 74
” Home of Industry Fund 103 43
---------
$1,408 45
We the undersigned, members of the Auditing Committee, have
examined the foregoing account of John Way, Treasurer, have
compared the payments with the orders and vouchers, and believe
the same to be correct, there being a balance to the credit of our
deposit account, under date of December 31, 1908, of $1,408 45.
We have also examined the securities in the possession of our
agents, The Provident Life and Trust Company of Philadelphia, and
have found them to agree with an accompanying schedule.
ELIAS H. WHITE,
A. JACKSON WRIGHT,
_Auditing Committee_.
LIFE MEMBERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PRISON SOCIETY.
*Ashmead, Henry B., Harrison, Alfred C., *Potter, Thomas,
*Baily, Joel J., Harrison, Chas. C., *Powers, Thomas H.,
*Bartol, B. H., *Hockley, Thomas, *Price, Thomas W.,
*Benson, E. N., Ingram, Wm. S., *Reynolds, Mrs.,
Bergdoll, Louis, Ingram, Emily J., Rhoads, Joseph R.,
*Betts, Richard K., *Jeanes, Joshua T., *Roach, Joseph H.,
*Bonsall, E. H., Jenks, John S., *Saul, Rev. James,
Brooke, F. M., *Jones, Mary T., *Santee, Charles,
*Brown, Alexander, Jordan, John, Jr., *Seybert, Henry,
Brush, C. H., Justice, W. W., *Sharpless, Townsend,
Carter, John E., *Kinke, J., *Steedman, Rosa,
Cattell, H. S., *Knight, Reeve L., Sulzberger, D.,
*Childs, George W., *Laing, Anna T., *Thomas, Geo. C.,
Coles, Miss Mary, *Laing, Henry M., *Tracey, Charles A.,
Collins, Alfred M., Lea, M. Carey, *Townsend, Henry T.,
Coxe, Eckley B., Jr., Leaming, J. Fisher, *Waln, L. Morris,
Downing, Richard H., Lewis, Mrs. Sarah, Walk, Jas. W., M. D.
Dreer, Ferd. J., *Lewis, Howard W., Warren, E. B.,
*Dreer, Edw. G., Lewis, F. Mortimer, Watson, Jas. V.,
*Douredore, B. L., Longstreth, W. W., Way, John,
Duhring, H. L., Rev. Love, Alfred H., Weightman, William,
Duncan, John A., *Maginnis, Edw. I., *Weston, Harry,
*Elkinton, Joseph S., *Manderson, James, Whelen, Mary S.,
Elwyn, Alfred, Milne, C. J., *Williams, Henry J.,
Elwyn, Mrs. Helen M., *McAlister, Jas. W., *Williamson, I. V.,
*Fotterall, Stephen G., *Osborne, Hon. F. W., *Willits, Jeremiah,
Frazier, W. W., Patterson, Robert, *Willits, Jeremiah, Jr.,
Goodwin, M. H., *Pennock, George, Wood, Walter,
*Hall, George W., *Perot, Joseph,
*Deceased.
ANNUAL MEMBERS.
Ashman, Hon. William N., Clunn, Herschel, Grigg, Mary S.,
Appleton, Rev. Samuel E., Cadbury, Benj., Harris, Rev. J. Andrews,
Ash, H. St. Clair, M. D., Conard, C. Wilfred, Hart, William H., Jr.,
Allen, H. Percival, Comfort, Henry W., Hagert, Edwin,
Baily, Joshua L., Dillingham, John H., Hackenburg, William B.,
Brown, T. Wistar, Davis, Edward T., Harding, Mrs. W. W.,
Biddle, Samuel, Detwiler, Isaac L., Hallowell, William S.,
Barnes, Rev. R. Heber, Detwiler, Walter L., Heller, Clyde A.,
Burnham, William, D’Invillier, Charles E., Hodges, Miss C. V.,
Baird, John E., Dallett, Alfred M., Hayes, J. H. M.,
Baker, Rev. Lewis C., Dean, Agnes, M. D., Haupt, Rev. A. J. D.,
Boies, Ethel M., Denniston, Mrs. E. C., Hastings, Charles P.,
Boies, David, Daniel, Gustav, Hoffman, Jacob D.,
Boies, Helen M., Emlen, Samuel, Hampton, John D.,
Bartlett, J. Henry, Elkinton, Joseph, Hensell, Mrs. George W.,
Booth, Henry D., Eisenlohr, Otto, Holmes, Jesse H.,
Biddle, Catharine C., Engle, Rev. Solomon G., Jester, William T. W.,
Beatty, Robert L., Fleisher, B. W., Kennard, William,
Benze, Rev. C. Theodore, Fullerton, Spencer, Koelle, William,
Buckler, Arthur, Fricke, Esther, Kennedy, Harry,
Biddle, Hannah S., Fassett, Mrs. Horace, Kemp, Agnes, M. D.,
Bradford, Elizabeth, Franklin, Melvin M., M. D., Koons, J. Albert,
Belfield, T. Broom, Fernberger, Henry, Lovett, Louisa D.,
Bright, Mrs. Robert S., Garrett, Sylvester, Lytle, John J.,
Bradford, Robert P. P., Grafley, D. W., Leeds, Deborah C.,
Barakat, Layvah, Garrett, Elizabeth N., LeFevre, Charles H.,
Conderman, Ethel, Grant, Mrs. W. S., Jr., Lawrence, Mrs. P. W.,
Converse, John H., Gilbert, W. H., Latimer, Rebecca P.,
Clark, Mrs. E. W., Grubb, Mrs. C. L., Latimer, George A., Jr.,
Colton, S. W., Jr., Garrigues, Samuel B., Lewis, Theodore J.,
Colton, Mrs. S. W., Jr., Gerstley, Mrs. Louis, Lewis, Mary,
Clark, Miss F., Gerhard, Luther, Lamerdin, Rev. Philip,
Collins, Henry H., Galenbeck, Louis, Longshore, Frank H.,
Clark, E. W., Jr., Gerhard, Arthur, Layton, Mrs. S. W.,
Callahan, John, Gerhard, Mrs. Arthur, Liveright, Benjamin K.,
Clemmer, Jonas G., Gormly, Mrs. E. W., Mason, Mrs. M. A.,
Cassel, Henry C., Green, Sallie H., Miller, Isaac P.,
Morton, Charles M., Rosenberg, Marie, Tomkins, Rev. Floyd W.,
Martin, Hon. J. Willis, Robinson, Anthony W., Tatum, William E.,
Mayer, Mrs. Henry C., Reeves, Francis B., Unger, Mrs. J. F.,
Meloney, George R., Randolph, Mrs. Evan, Uhler, G. H. S.,
McHenry, Rev. H. Cresson, Randolph, Mary, Vaux, George,
McDole, Charles, Riehlé, Mrs. M. B., Votaw, Albert H.,
Mewes, Mrs. L. M., Senft, Rev. F. H., White, Elias H.,
Meyer, Rev. H. E., Spellissy, P. H., Wentz, Catharine A.,
Maier, Paul D. I., Scattergood, William, Whelen, Emily,
Noblit, Joseph C., Stokes, Dr. William C., Warren, William C.,
Nicholson, Robert P., Schwarz, G. A., Wetherell, Mary S.,
Overman, William F., Snellenburg, Samuel, Wetherell, George S.,
Ohl, Rev. J. F., Snellenburg, Mrs. Samuel, Walton, Harrison,
Oetinger, Albert, Starr, Frank H., Wilbur, Henry,
Pooley, Frederick J., Schafger, R. C., Young, Jos. H.,
Platt, Laura N., Stillwell, Mrs. E., Wright, A. J.,
Platt, Miss L. N., Smallzell, John, Yardley, C. C.,
Parker, George F., Thomas, Augustus, Ziegler, J. W.,
Rosengarten, Joseph G., Thomas, Mrs. George C., Zimmerman, E. M.,
Reger, George J., Thomas, Augusta, Zimmerman, Mrs. E. M.
THE AMERICAN PRISON ASSOCIATION
The American Prison Association met in annual convention in the city of
Richmond, Va., November 14-19, 1908, with an attendance of five hundred
and twenty registered members and visitors. All but ten States of the
Union were represented, together with the District of Columbia, Canada
and Cuba. Pennsylvania had thirty-nine representatives to its credit,
ten of whom were members of The Pennsylvania Prison Society, including
its President, Vice President and the Secretary of its Acting Committee.
The sessions began on Saturday evening in the auditorium of the
Jefferson Hotel. After the invocation by the Rev. Russell Cecil, pastor
of the Second Presbyterian Church, addresses of welcome were made by the
Hon. D. C. Richardson, Mayor of Richmond, and the Hon. Claude A.
Swanson, Governor of Virginia. These were followed by a brief response
by Prof. Charles R. Henderson and the address of the President of the
Association, the Rev. Dr. J. L. Milligan.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15
At 3:30 P. M. the conference sermon was preached in the First Baptist
Church by its pastor, the Rev. George W. McDaniel, D. D. It made a
profound impression, and is here reproduced in full.
SERMON
“He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives.”--Isaiah
61:1-3; Luke 4:18.
The eminent theorists and practical exponents of enlightened prison
administration composing this national congress are arousing public
sentiment to a necessity for an improvement of the physical and moral
conditions in prisons and creating a growing interest in discharged
prisoners.
Their philosophic conception and wise application of penological
principles are hastening the abolition of cruel punishments, the
substitution of reformatory for retributive systems, and the adoption of
preventive instead of punitive measures.
The fruits of their labors are seen in the establishment of juvenile
courts, the appointment of police matrons, the separation of the sexes
and also of new from old, and incidental from habitual offenders; the
humane treatment of the criminally insane; the study of the criminal,
his history and environment; probation without imprisonment for first
offenders, with friendly surveillance; the recognition of labor as a
disciplinary and reformatory agent; the indeterminate sentence of the
prisoner and his commitment to salutary influences; the abolition of
public executions and the substitution of electrocution for hanging, and
the establishment of higher standards of prison construction and
administration.
An organization rendering such unselfish, valuable and abiding service
to the delinquents of the country brings the entire nation under a sense
of obligation, and deserves the gratitude and coöperation of all people.
To have its members as the guests of our city is an honor of which we
are pardonably proud, and to be invited to preach their annual sermon is
a privilege for which I make most grateful and humble acknowledgment.
Leaving the technical discussion to appointed specialists--though to
invade their province is a temptation--I shall bring you a message from
the Book of books, which I pray and hope may be becoming this occasion,
may be blessed to your spiritual enrichment, and may be pleasing to Him
whose we are and whom we serve.
The greatest of the Old Testament prophets was Isaiah. No other climbed
so high the mountain peaks of prophecy or saw so clearly as he coming
events. His anointed vision beheld unfolded in panorama the program of
the Messiah’s kingdom, and his purified tongue described the inner
mission and the external glory of the Messiah’s reign.
In the olden times of which Isaiah told, Jehovah glorified his people in
the building and adornment of the temple, but in the coming days which
he foretold, Jehovah was to be glorified by the binding of broken hearts
and the beautifying of soiled lives.
The prophet with inspired skill drew a picture of Him who was to be the
liberator of the people. Seven hundred years passed, and one quiet
Sabbath day, in a small town in Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth looked upon
that picture and declared that He was its original. Even so did
Hawthorne sketch the stone face in the mountain, which long afterwards
was realized by the youth of the valley who had gazed upon it and prayed
to be like it. The words of the prophecy referred directly to the period
of Babylonian captivity. Israel, in exile, longed for political
deliverance. Dry expositions of the Mosaic law could not satisfy
captives who waited for the proclamation of their freedom. They could
not sing the Lord’s song in a strange land.
They craved the assurance of the _fact_ of God’s love. Our prophecy is
the communication of that fact. It meant more than political
deliverance; it meant the graciousness of Jehovah’s pardon, the beauty
of his love and the pathos and triumph of his passion in their behalf.
“Good tidings” and “proclamation” henceforth became the classic terms
for all communications from God to man.
The words “gospel” and “preaching” were first employed in a religious
sense in the Greek translation of this passage. Regular preaching
developed during this period and took its place with sacramental
worship. Then it was that the synagogue arose with its pulpit and became
no less a factor in religious life than the altar of the temple. And it
was in the pulpit of a synagogue in Nazareth that Jesus reread this
prophecy and affirmed the fact of its fulfillment. Thus, the first
public discourse of the matchless preacher was a proclamation of the
gospel.