An interesting feature of the work of “The Women’s Prison Association,”
New York, is the “Hopper Home,” situated at 110 Second avenue. The
first “Home” of the Association was opened in June, 1845, “as a place
of shelter for liberated female prisoners.” It was before the day of
the sewing machine and ready-made clothing was not thought of in those
days. This was the main industry. The association was very poor and
at one time had but two cents in the treasury. It was then that Miss
Catherine M. Sedgwick, the first director, said: “Well, Mrs. Gibbons, I
think even you will be ready to give up now.”
But Mrs. Gibbons answered, “When you are ready to give up, I am ready
to take up,” and she went out that afternoon and raised eighteen
hundred dollars, with which she stocked workroom and larder. From that
time there was no talk of “giving up.”
For many years the main source of income has been the laundry. The
treatment of inmates consists of work in the laundry as soon as
possible, good food and general hygienic care. When a woman applies for
admission, the understanding is that she shall give a month’s labor
to the institution. At the end of that time she is generally in good
condition and is sent out to service, preferably to the country. Often
she remains in her place for many months and sometimes even for years,
returning from time to time to make additions to her bankbook, the
policy being to encourage such thrift.
That the habit of drink is a disease requiring prolonged treatment is
an accepted fact in these days, and it is for this reason that the
“Women’s Prison Association” has obtained by act of legislature an
appropriation for a state farm for women misdemeanants over thirty
years of age. It hopes, by outdoor work, medical attendance and good
food to make many of them self-respecting as well as self-supporting
members of society.
The average amount earned by eighty-eight women during the year
previous to their entrance to the “Home” was $91.37. The average amount
the same women are capable of earning per year is $207.36.
Our sixty-sixth Annual Report presents full statistics of our work.