MODEL PRISON TREATMENT FOR WOMEN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 72, 22 September 1906, Page 11

MODEL PRISON TREATMENT FOR WOMEN.

An interesting account of reformatory work for women and girl prisoners has (says the "World's Work" for August) appeared ip an American Magazine. Tho writer describes chiefly the system at the women's prison at Sherborn, Massachusetts. Small but neat rooms with plastered walls, and finished in hardwood, ure provided for the better class of prisoners, although thero are a number of ordinary colls for those women who roquire greater restraint. Not a few of the women who ore sent to Sherborn arc mothers with young children m their arms, and the nursery is ono of the most important apartments at the institution. It is a large, pleasant room, with cots and rocking chairs arranged about the sidc3. Nurses are selected from among the inmates, and the youngsters who aro old enough to leave their cribs aro allowed to tumble about tho floor and romp and play to their hearts' content. Tho little ones seem happy and contented, but the sight ia always a- pathetic one when tho surroundings arc considered. What can be more pitiful than a baby in prison T Tho purpose of the management of the Sherborn prison is to reach the hearts of tho women if possible, and inspire them to a better life, and then to teach them some means of making an honest living after they go out into tho world with its temptations and pitfalls. Thp religious work iat the 1 institution is exceedingly interesting. Many people seem to believe that a fallen woman is beyond redemption. The facts do not warrant any such assumption. Most degraded 'and wretched women respond quickly to the touch of kindness and the word of encouragement. Many of tho women who como to tho prison are lamentably ignorant, so both day and night schools aro conducted for their benefit. They aro given books ani magazines, and at intervals they are called upon to listen to simply wordei talks on current ovents, for the purpose of arousing an interest in what is going on in fha world. Regular services are held in tho chapel, and the chaplain, who, by tho way, is a womnni as -arc all the officials within the prison building, preaches helpful and uplifting sermons, couched in simple and tender lauguagc. During the summer months, evening services aro held out of doors, and are greatly enjoyed by the women. A littlo organ furnishes music for tho singing of gospel hymnsj and tho influence of these peaceful meetings on the hearts of the women can hardly bo over-estimated. Two half -hours each week are devoted to talks on nursing, domestic duties, tho care of children, diet, health, and similar matters. The various branches of housework aro carefully taught, and thero is a cooking school for the inmates, so that tho women are fitted to undortake domestic service. Tho prison farm occupies over 300 acroß, and during tho summer months many of tho women aro permitted to work xn the garden, a form of labour which appeals to thoso who have an inherent love of nature, and brings out tho best that is in them. A dairy is one of ths interesting features of the reformatory, and here sotno of tho womon are fitted for life in the country, whero thoy will bo away from their old haunts and companions. Butter-making according to the most approved ideas is taught, and sonic of the women become very expert. It is interesting to note tho zest with which Iho unfortunate women take up these unaccustomed lines of work, and to follow tho development of their characters as now thoughts are aroused and now aspirations brought into their lives. Tho indeterminate sentenco sy3tom for women prevails in Massachusetts. After from eight to ten months of perfect conduct, any prisoner may be released at tho discretion of the J prison commissioners.

Mr. Alfred Austin is one of the fortunato authors ' for whoso works there is (i steady and unfailing demand. Although it is fourteen years since "Tho Gnrcfen that I Love" was first publiohed by Messrs. Macmillan, it still j commaudß a steady, sale*