THE TREATMENT OF THE CRIMINAL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 10070, 10 August 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE TREATMENT OF THE CRIMINAL.

It is stated by a London paper oa the authority of Mr W. H. Tallack, Seoretary of the Howard Association, and m»r n» of the greatest living authorities on panal syßtems, that English priion» a-e the best in the world. It it w granted that prisons are places for the punishment and reformation of transgressors' against the law, this is no doubt correct, bnt if these establishments are to be regarded as existing only for the education and entertainment of the oriminal, then we fear the English system far short of that adopted in at least some parta of the United States. Mr Tallaok who has apparently visited many of the prisons in Europe and America, gives us some remarkable information as to the methods adopted In the prison of Blmlra, New Yorb.and the State prison of Philadelphia. The former place is characterise 3 as perhaps the most extraordinary penal establishment in the world. TJnlveMity professors are engaged to lectnre to the prisoners on history, law, and mathematics ; first rate bands play, on stated days, and the food v said to be equal to that oE a good hotel. In the oomfottable resiiienoa altoltod by Philadelphia to her criminals the diet is almost Insurious. Breakfast consists of grilled pork and beans, preserves, hot oakes aud oofEe?, and the other meals are on the same soale. Lidy viiitors are allowed to bring the prisoners presents, oigarß beiug generally preferred. Every weekly newspaper published in the States is takeo in for the benefit of the oimpulsory gnests, and they also have > the run of a library of 10.000 volumes. Their education, both teohioal and otherwise, is well looked after. They are taught enoh useful trades as ■ photography, telegraphy, end engraving > in brass by thoroughly competent > masters i they attend leotures, and it being recognised that all work and no ' play will make even convict Jack a dnll i boy, they are entertained with readings, . concerts, holidays (!), and anniversary dinners (!) Eaoh prisoner (It seems a mockery to call them by «uah a name) i is allowed a musical instrument of some • sort, drams and cornets alone being; '. barred, wlh the result that evening is r made hideous. Strange as it may eeem, ! it is necessary to adopt some preoanhong I lo keep the gnests in this palatial go»l I from shifting their quarters, and some i of the»e meaos take the form of twenty. 1 three enormous Siberian bloodhounds I and bulldogs, which animals add coni siderably io the prevailing noise. In. other ways, too, the inhuman outhon. ties in charge of these goula from time to 1 time find it neoessary to assert their : authority. At Elmira shy prisoners 1 have been ooaxed to oome out of their rooms by means of hot hooks, and io> i anothpr institution reoaloitrant inmates i are either hung up by their thumbs or 1 are else put in a Bpeoially oonsttooted : well and made to pump for their lives. It will thos he seen that there are files ■ in the ointment of even prisoners In, ■ American goals.