A CONTRAST: AMERICAN HUMANITY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9304, 3 January 1896, Page 6

A CONTRAST: AMERICAN HUMANITY.

Convicts in the Michigan State Prison have many more favours than those Of almost any other penitentiary in the United States, and it is the belief of the management of the institution that for this reason there are fewer outbreaks of lawlessness than are found elsewhere. Among the favours granted to them here is that of keeping and caring for birds. There are fully 600 feathered songsters in Michigan's principal penal institution, all owned and cared for by the convicts, and as soon as daj'light approaches on bright mornings their sweet notes are heard in striking contrast to the natural feelings of their owners. Many of the most hardened criminals from their general appearance and history would not be expected to care for anything of a refined nature, yet they tenderly care for and caress their little pets. More than three-quarters of the cells in the prison contain one or more canaries, and they are also found in various shops throughout the institution. During the day the cages arc hung outside the cells, to give the birds light and air, but as soon as the convict returns from work at night the cage is taken inside. This practice has been carried on in the prison for years, and the officials say that instead of any detrimental effect being noticeable the little birds have proved a benefit, as they not only give the cells a more homelike appearance, but they also wield a decided influence in the way of humanising the most reckless and hardened criminal. Besides being permitted to keep to birds for the sake of their company and influence, the convicts are also allowed to raise them to sell, and many a shilling is credited to the accounts of the prisoners from this source. Of course the convict handles none of the money realised from the sole of the birds until he is discharged, but it is placed to his credit in the prison bank. '