Farm. She made an earnest plea that women or girls who are prisoners
be allowed to work in the open air. Although all the inmates of the
institution have a thorough course in housekeeping and sewing, she was
sure that these are not invariably the best occupations for women.
She stated that there was no room for question that country life and
sounds and smells and diverse occupations were the most helpful for
such weak sisters as fall by the wayside. No other work is so suitable
to children or adapted so well to their powers as work out in the open.
She had felt it essential to have a woman of ability and character to
have general management of the farm work, inasmuch as many of those
committed to her care were, in a sense, oversexed and they needed to be
associated constantly with good women. This was a rule in the selection
of all her assistants. As far as possible, men are eliminated from the
activities on the farm, so that these girls come entirely under the
wholesome influence of young women specially trained for the various
kinds of employment on the farm. The enthusiasm and enjoyment connected
with the varied occupations on the farm have strong psychological value.
As “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” so the same method
would have the same effect on “Jill.” Hence, a reasonable amount of
amusement is encouraged. Whatever gift any girl may have, in the
line of song or music or recitation, is developed. They have various
entertainments in their assembly room.
In consequence of the present stringency and high prices, she had
been obliged to change the menu, and the results have been carefully
observed. For instance, meat has been almost entirely dropped from the
bill of fare, and so far there has been no indication that the health
of her community had suffered. There is no tea or coffee for any one
on the place, nor stimulant of any sort. They have abundance of milk,
cottage-cheese, cocoa, cereals and all the dry and green vegetables
they can eat. The ration has been scientifically studied so that the
physical requirements may be satisfied. This report was exceedingly
interesting to the wardens present, all of whom have been confronted
with the serious nature of the food problem.
This summer a few of the girls in groups of four or five have been
paroled to work on some neighboring farms. They receive twenty cents
an hour for their labor and are allowed to retain their wages. In some
instances they have gone without supervision. The results have been
very satisfactory.
Miss Farrall, Head Farmer, spoke of the pleasure of the children in
propagating the plants in the hot house, in setting out the plants, in
watching their growth and in all the varied agricultural processes.
Besides the actual work on the farm the girls had been employed in
road-building, even the concrete work being done by them. They have
installed a new drainage system. They are trained in the care of hogs
and poultry, and on the newly acquired farm adjacent to their premises
they hope soon to develop some dairy industry. The children have
done nearly all the work on a fifty-acre garden. They have already
gathered 1100 bushels of potatoes, and the harvesting of the crop is
not complete. They have planted, cultivated and husked seventeen acres
of corn. They are raising turnips, parsnips, salsify, beets, carrots,
and have succeeded, in spite of the worms, in harvesting 1000 heads of
cabbage. They had used their green house this season in drying large
quantities of vegetables for winter use.
THE INTERMISSION.
In the intermission between the afternoon and evening sessions there
were three events of considerable interest.
1. A baseball game, in which a nine from the visitors contested with
a nine of the school. No game of the year anywhere elicited more
enthusiasm. The score was 15 to 12 in favor of the home nine. In the
last inning the visitors, who had been somewhat ahead, went “all to
pieces,” and the 500 girls retired from the bleaching grounds to their
quarters exultant over the famous victory of the nine of Sleighton Farm.
2. A delicious supper served by the girls of the farm.
3. A charming vocal concert given by the girls in the Assembly Room,
under the direction of Mrs. Falconer.
At 8.30 in the evening the conference assembled in the reception room
of the Administration Building. Consideration of the bill providing
for the establishment of nine industrial farms was resumed.
Mr. Robert Dunning Dripps spoke of the admirable purpose of the bill,
though admitting that certain modifications were probably needed to
render it thoroughly effective. He was emphatic in condemnation of
the conditions now existent in the county jails. The employment of
all prisoners must be guaranteed. So far as possible they should
be employed in the open air, in order to build up their physical
condition. Such work, under wise handling, has solved some of the
economic problems of prison management. We have too many jails.
Fewer prisons with equal conditions of population and opportunities
could be administered more effectively and economically. Farm penal
institutions in many places have gone beyond the experimental stage
and have revealed amazing possibilities of reformation, economy and
ease of administration. Witness our State Farm at Bellefonte, various
penal farms in New York, the misdemeanant farms in Massachusetts and
Indiana, and the large penal farm at Guelph, Ontario. Farm work could
be managed by the inmates of county jails with less risk on the whole
than by the convicts sent to the penitentiaries. If a few escape the
harm they would do to any community would be less on the average than
hardened convicts who receive the long sentences. He recalled that all
properly managed insane asylums have their inmates in the open air as
much as possible and give them every opportunity to engage in the work
of raising the supplies of food. It is all wrong to pen up a thousand
men in close confinement because some half dozen of them may try to
escape. He did not speak as a mere theorist, because, as Director
of Public Safety, he had been responsible for the management of the
House of Correction, where he had observed the beneficial effects of
working on the farm and the ease with which this sort of work could be
administered.
Mrs. Falconer emphasized the viciousness of idleness. She knew of
the wholesome results of allowing women to work in the open, and, of
course, it must readily follow that men would be equally improved.
Mr. Pascoe, Warden of the prison at Easton, stated that he had about
100 prisoners who are only partially employed in carpet weaving. He
has a small exercise yard where his men are allowed to parade about an
hour daily. With his scant space and opportunities he is hampered. He
would be very willing to make arrangements to have his men work on the
Poor Farm about seven miles away if the authorities would grant the
privilege. He is entirely aware of the evils of idleness, and would
welcome the opportunity to employ his inmates in farm work. Possibly
a few might escape, but the harm they might do would be entirely out
of proportion to the injury done to the men by the present system of
detaining them in idleness.
THE GLEN MILLS FARM.
It was the first visit of most of the men to this highly cultivated
farm of 500 or more acres, and they were both surprised and delighted
to have a visible illustration of what may be accomplished by lads
and young men in the line of husbandry. They were received very
graciously by Superintendent Nibecker, who, after some explanation of
the general system, conducted them over the plantation. There was an
exhibit of corn (many stalks being fifteen feet in height, with two
ears), pumpkins, cowbeets, turnips, etc., which would make a creditable
showing before any body of experts. The dairy of blooded stock was
inspected, and a piggery inhabited by over 200 fine specimens of
porkers was much admired for its fine sanitary condition. The report
in 1916 showed that about forty products of the farm were valued at
$23,581 and that the expenses charged to the farm amounted to $8,033,
thus showing the handsome balance of $15,548 to the credit of the
farming operations.
The Conference met for a brief session in the parlor of the
institution. On motion, Mr. Edward Taenzer, of Reading, was made
Chairman of this meeting. Mr. Votaw had already suggested that there
might be a service in forming a more permanent organization of
prison officials of this Commonwealth. There were many features of
administration to be discussed, and he thought mutual benefit would
accrue from an occasional conference, annual or semi-annual, to compare
views and methods. Especially would such conference be of value and of
great influence in being able to present to the General Assembly their
united views, based on practical experience, with regard to proposed
penal legislation, and also to suggest and promote measures for
improvement of penal conditions. This proposition appeared to receive
the unanimous endorsement of those present.
Chairman Taenzer suggested annual conferences and hoped that an effort
would be made to equalize the working of the laws in all counties.
Many of the counties operated under special legislation. The County of
Berks, working under an Act of 1848, was at a decided disadvantage,
compared with other counties. There was no uniformity in regard to
turnkey fees, and many other customs, some of them belonging to a past
age.
On motion of Mr. Votaw the following Committee was appointed to make
arrangements for another similar conference to be held probably next
autumn, and to draft regulations for the government of the body: Edward
Taenzer, Chairman; Warden Clower, of West Chester; Warden McIlhenny,
of Harrisburg; Warden Obetz, of Lancaster, and Agent McGarry, of
the State Board of Charities. On motion, A. H. Votaw was appointed
Secretary of this Committee.
A vote of thanks to Mrs. Falconer and to Mr. Nibecker was extended
for their generous hospitality and for their many courtesies to the
conference. It seemed that nothing which pertained to the comfort and
pleasure of the visitors had been left undone.
The Conference adjourned with a feeling that this meeting had been
successful and that a permanent organization would be of decided
service to the best interests of the Commonwealth.
After a bountiful lunch, served by the assistants of Superintendent
Nibecker, the members of this memorable Conference dispersed to their
several homes.
ATTENDEES AT THE CONFERENCE ON THE GLEN MILLS FARMS OCT. 4-5.
Wardens.
Wm. A. McIlhenny Harrisburg
Rich. F. Pascoe Easton
Lemuel Roberts Norristown
John B. Riddle Hollidaysburg
Edw. H. Knee Ebensburg
J. Carson Obetz Lancaster
Michael F. Whalen Wilkes-Barre
John F. Clower West Chester
Geo. W. Allen Media
Inspectors.
Theo. J. Fretz Allentown
Edward Taenzer Reading
Dr. J. K. Weaver Norristown
Jesse L. Jones West Chester
J. Howard Lumis West Chester
Alex. C. Whitcraft West Chester
Wm. P. Sharpless West Chester
E. Marshall Hamell Media
F. G. Thomas Yeadon
M. G. Brubaker Lancaster
Adam Sweigart Lancaster
Thomas Erb Lancaster
Eli Good Lancaster
D. G. Lindsay Lancaster
Wm. P. Schwartz Altoona
Calve Walker Altoona
W. B. Meetch Harrisburg
Commissioners.
John D. Jenkins York
D. F. Knittle Bloomsburg
D. M. Golder West Chester
Watson Davis Doylestown
Allen Zetty Doylestown
Wash. Cadwallader Doylestown
John E. Baldwin West Chester
* * * * *
Louis Wolf, Member State Board Charities.
Wm. McGarry, Agent State Board Charities.
Robert Dunning Dripps, formerly Director of Public Safety,
Philadelphia.
Judge, J. F. Hause, West Chester.
Miss Florence Bayard Kane, Philadelphia, Member Prison Reform League.
John Way, Treas. The Penna. Prison Society.
A. H. Votaw, Sec. The Penna. Prison Society.
Phebe N. Votaw, Lansdowne.
READING MATTER FOR PRISONERS.
The late John J. Lytle, than whom no one was more deeply interested in
the welfare of prisoners, year after year by special effort solicited
contributions for the purchase of periodical literature suitable for
distribution to the inmates of our prisons. A journal known as “Sabbath
Reading,” issued weekly, was selected, a periodical judiciously edited
and full of wholesome and instructive matter presented in an attractive
style. This periodical has been hailed with enthusiastic appreciation.
We have reason to believe that it is very generally read. Regret has
been expressed when we felt obliged to curtail the number distributed.
Calls are numerous these days, and our charitable friends are straining
their resources to the utmost to meet the various demands for worthy
purposes. Should this work, however, appeal especially to any of our
friends, we will gladly apply any funds for this specific purpose.
PENAL LEGISLATION OF 1917 IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.
THE COUNTY INDUSTRIAL FARM, WORKHOUSE AND REFORMATORY ACT OF 1917.
Under this Act the State is to be divided into Nine Districts, in each
of which is to be established an Industrial Farm to which prisoners
sentenced to serve terms in county jails are to be sent. Each
Institution is to be managed by a Board of Trustees which shall be
composed of one county commissioner from each county of the district,
to be appointed by the judge of Quarter Sessions.
The members of the first Board of Trustees shall be appointed to serve
until the expiration of their respective terms of office as county
commissioners. Each Board of Trustees is hereby authorized to select a
suitable site for such Industrial Farm and to make arrangements for the
erection and equipment of the necessary buildings. The Farm is not to
exceed five hundred acres in extent. The buildings are to be “plain and
inexpensive in character,” and the labor as far as possible is to be
supplied by the convicts committed to said institution.
The ninth section of the Act provides that the court of Quarter
Sessions in any county “may, in its discretion, transfer from the
county jails and prisons, respectively, to such penal farm those who
have been sentenced to the county prison for any crime, misdemeanor, or
felony (murder and voluntary manslaughter excepted),” and also those
detained for non-payment of fines and costs, or for non-support; in
fact, any persons legally confined in the county jails except those who
are held for trial. And hereafter the court may, in its discretion,
send those convicted as above directly to said Industrial Farm.
Resources of the Site.
As far as practicable the selection of the site for the farm shall
have reference to its advantages for various forms of husbandry,
fruit-growing, stock-raising, for brick-making, for the preparation
of road and paving material, and shall have good railroad, drainage,
sewage and water facilities. The prisoners are to be employed in work
“on or about the buildings and farm” in raising stock and supplies
for the use of said institution and for the use of other public and
charitable institutions in the District.
“All road material, brick, tile and concrete prepared” at these farms
not needed for the purposes of the institution, shall be offered for
sale at a price to be fixed by the Board of Trustees, the proceeds to
be applied towards paying the overhead expenses of said institution.
Discipline.
“All inmates shall be clothed and treated as provided for in this Act,
and in the rules and regulations of the industrial farm.”
Penalties.
“If any person refuses to perform the work assigned to him or her, or
is guilty of other acts of insubordination, the superintendent shall
punish such person by close confinement and a diet of bread and water
only, or in such other manner as the rules and regulations ... may
prescribe.”
Inebriates.
A separate apartment in the institution shall be appropriated to
inebriates and drug users which shall be called the Inebriate Home.
Any person habitually addicted to intemperance or to “dope” may on
application be admitted to this Inebriate Home, the bills for expense
being paid weekly by such applicant. It is further provided that if
any inmate of this Home is able to pay the expense of his keeping, the
court committing such person is authorized to make an order directing
the amount to be paid by the said inmate.
Expense.
The original cost of the farm and buildings and all fixed overhead
charges “shall be paid by the counties constituting the district, in
the ratio of their population according to the last preceding United
States census.” “The cost of the care and maintenance of the inmates
shall be certified monthly to the counties from which inmates have been
committed. Such cost shall be paid by the counties in proportion to the
number of inmates committed from each county.”
NOTES AND COMMENTS ON THIS ACT.
On first reading there were some provisions of the Act which seemed
impracticable. But we believe these minor imperfections may easily be
corrected by future legislative enactment. The general principle of
the Act is sound and in accordance with the trend of public sentiment.
Massachusetts and Indiana both have Industrial Farms for prisoners
serving short-time sentences. The State of Indiana has one such farm in
successful operation, but we are informed some officials are convinced
that it would have been wiser to institute two or three such farms. The
original bill we favored provided for six such plantations. However,
the nine farms may each have over 500 inmates to be cared for and
employed.
It may be unfortunate that the farms are limited to 500 acres.
Allegheny County now has a farm of over 600 acres, and has under
cultivation about 500 acres. This county will be united with four
other counties in the management of the Industrial Farm for the Second
District, and 500 acres will prove insufficient. It may be wise to
amend the Act making it possible to secure a farm of 1000 acres if
thought desirable. It has been found to be an economical proposition to
establish penal farms on waste land and by means of drainage, leveling,
removing of rocks and scientific tillage and fertilizing to make the
“wilderness blossom as the rose.” On a Penal Farm in Florida may now
be seen flourishing corn and cane fields where three years ago was the
lair of alligators. At Occoquan, Va., Warden Whittaker has transformed
barren, arid, scrub pine lands, costing from five to fifteen dollars
per acre, into a splendid plantation abounding in orchards, grain
fields, gardens and small fruits. Similarly very cheap land at
Bridgwater, Mass., has been cleared off and changed into a handsome
productive farm.
It might be easier to limit the amount of money to be expended for the
site, the only condition being that the farm should contain at least
500 acres.
Escapes.
Escapes were quite numerous from the Indiana State Farm when they
first were trying the experiment. The passage of a State law severely
penalizing the man who escapes (he is nearly always caught), justly
punishing him with several years of imprisonment at the State
Penitentiary has lessened the number making effort to escape.
Prisoners Awaiting Trial.
Some of these prisoners are held from thirty to ninety days. Why not
allow them the option of languishing in idleness at the detention
prison or of engaging in healthful occupation on the farm? The option
should be given, as they can not be compelled to work. Such privilege
should be granted with circumspection. The Court not generally being in
session when such offenders are arrested could not pass judgment as to
whether such privilege should be granted. The nature of the accusation
must be taken into consideration. We are sure that a goodly number of
those who are thus held might be sent to the Industrial Farm, but the
details connected with such permission are yet to be arranged.
Compensation.
Nothing is said in the Act with regard to any compensation. It is
expected that these farms will ultimately become self-supporting and
may to some extent become a source of profit. We think it is within
the province of the Board of Trustees to fix the compensation. An
addition to the Act as soon as practicable should be enacted providing
for compensation to be sent, part to the family, if in need, of the
prisoner, and a part to be held for the prisoner at the time of his
discharge. The wages will be graded with reference to the character
of the labor. It is a wise provision of the law that the labor of
prisoners in the construction of the buildings shall be availed of as
far as possible.
Industries.
On a farm of 500 acres containing tillable land and stone quarries,
a large number of men may find employment, but it will require very
intensive farming to employ 500 men and make the venture financially
profitable. Hence on every farm some one or two industries should be
allowed not requiring highly-skilled labor, since the population is a
rapidly shifting crowd. The bill very properly specifies brick, tile
and concrete work, and the crushing of stone for road-making. A large
number of men may be thus employed, but please remember that there
are nine of these penal farms. There should be one or two industries
suitable for mechanics and for indoor employment on each farm. The sale
of the products should not be confined to the district in which any
farm is situated. Let the soap-making industry be established on one of
these farms. The product might be sold to all public institutions in
the State. In one or two farms, there might be found the broom-making
industry. In several farms canneries, under the best sanitary
regulations, should be established. Underwear and socks for all public
institutions could be made at two or three of these penal farms.
Working shirts and overalls are properly made at such institutions. The
manufacture of plain cloth of several inconspicuous patterns should
be encouraged. One factory could make cloth sufficient for the other
nine institutions. Ash cans and garbage cans for all municipalities are
products of prison labor in several States.
We have by no means exhausted the list of industries suitable for the
labor of prisoners. Every suggestion as mentioned above has been tried
and found to work satisfactorily elsewhere.
In all cases, especially with regard to farm products and canned
goods, it should be specified that the surplus may be sold in the open
market. Suppose more potatoes should chance to be raised than the
public institutions should need. In these days we tolerate no waste. We
doubt whether there is a farmer in the Commonwealth who would object to
the sale of the surplus in the open market. The competition would be
negligible, as we think it would be with any other industry.
Inebriate Home.
It is specified that each of these farms shall have a separate
apartment in the institution for the treatment of inebriates and drug
users. What becomes of the proposition to establish a State Farm for
the care of inebriates? Just such an institution was authorized by
the Assembly of 1913. If this farm is established, and if nine other
Inebriate Homes are to be constructed, it might seem that an appalling
amount of dipsomania and anesthetic torpor is found in Pennsylvania.
We suppose the intent of the Act is to retain, until cured, or greatly
improved, those unfortunate wretches who spend a large part of the
year in durance in thirty-day and sixty-day sentences. Philadelphia
can supply a thousand of such derelicts, possibly Pittsburgh another
thousand, and the remainder of the State a goodly proportion. Many
of these people can do good work when not under the influence of
intoxicants. We doubt the wisdom of segregation in every instance.
If they mingle freely with those who are not drunkards or addicted
to opiates, they may derive some benefit from such association. The
separate treatment should be reserved for those who have become greatly
impaired by bad habits.
There is also very great need of providing separate quarters for those
afflicted with tuberculosis and venereal disease.
Expenses.
Original cost of farm and buildings paid by counties according to
population. Overhead expenses to be paid by counties according to
population. Care and maintenance of inmates to be paid by counties for
each inmate sent. Each county pays for transportation of its inmates to
the institution. The transportation of the convict when discharged will
be charged, so it appears, to overhead expenses of the institution.