REPORT OF THE ACTING COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR 1911.

In the year 1912, the Pennsylvania Prison Society will have completed a century and a quarter of its existence. It seems opportune briefly to note some of the important features of the work of this organization during the last 125 years. We are fortunate in the possession of an unbroken series of records of the transactions of this body from its first meeting in May, 1787, to the present time.

In 1787 the conditions of the jails in Philadelphia were unspeakably disgraceful. In one common herd there were kept by day and by night prisoners of all ages, colors, degrees of crime, and the sexes were not separated. No bedding was supplied and unless the prisoner had means or friends, he slept on the ground or bare floor. One loaf of bread constituted the daily ration. Misconduct was punished by the branding-iron, the pillory, or by the lash. Intoxicants were sold to all applicants who had money. The keeper reaped a profit from all sales made to the inmates of the prison. The death rate was enormous. No effort was made to find any useful employment for the prisoners.

The Society early resolved that intoxicants must be forbidden and that some form of employment must be found. They insisted on segregation of the sexes, and also began to press for individual separation in order that the penal institutions should not become schools for crime. Within a very few years many reforms were instituted. The death penalty which had been inflicted for a score of crimes was abrogated except for murder in the first degree. “Solitary confinement to hard labor” is still a familiar phrase used by Judges in pronouncing sentence. In its early years, the Society consistently and persistently urged the adoption of a system of employment whereby each prisoner alone in his cell should perform his task in some industrial pursuit. It was never intended that the prisoners should be kept entirely secluded from all human companionship, but that the officers should see them frequently and that concerned visitors, under proper supervision, should be allowed to talk with them and endeavor to point them to the better way. This idea became known among penologists as “The Pennsylvania System,” and was discussed widely, both at home and abroad. The Eastern Penitentiary, on Fairmount Avenue, formerly Coates Street, was built upon plans largely suggested by this Society. Doubtless the separate system was entirely carried out in 1829, when the prison was opened for the reception of prisoners. But in the last half century, the number of prisoners has exceeded the number of cells, so that the officers of the prison have not been able to carry out this system as originally planned. When this penitentiary was first constructed, it was located on what was then known as Cherry Hill, an eminence in the Northwest suburban district, and was surrounded by farming land. That penal institutions should be located in the country is, therefore, not a new proposition. Now it is generally conceded that such institutions not only should be located in the country, but that they should own and work a large tract of land adjacent.

The first prisoner was received Oct. 25, 1829. The first report of the Committee to visit the Eastern Penitentiary was made to the Acting Committee on Nov. 11, 1829, and shows that there were two prisoners at that time in the institution, one a white man from Chester Co., the other a colored man from Delaware Co. By June 8, 1830, the number of prisoners had increased to 25. The following extracts from the report of the Visiting Committee, made in June, 1830, will prove interesting to those who are familiar with the present conditions at the Penitentiary. “* * * The best order prevails among the prisoners who are industriously, and it is believed, profitably employed. Each is supplied with a soup-pan, washbasin, brush, fine and coarse tooth comb, spoon, knife and fork, and every week with a clean towel. Each prisoner is required to keep his room clean and neat. * * * The food consists of half a pint of milk, mixed in the same amount of hot water, bread made of rye and Indian meal (one pound) for breakfast; for dinner one pint soup, three-fourths pound meat, one-third pound bread; for supper one pint Indian mush and a half gill molasses. * * * No conversation can take place between the prisoners, and no communication from without be permitted. It has not been found necessary to inflict any punishment so far, except in two cases: in one case where a prisoner had neglected to keep his mess-pan clean, he lost two meals; in another case, a prisoner who neglected his work was for three days deprived of his meat. The principal trades are weaving and shoemaking, trades which may be carried on in cells to advantage. The health of the prisoners continues good.” The report is signed June 8, 1830, by the entire Visiting Committee consisting of David Weatherly and James J. Barclay. Now after 80 years the supply of furniture is practically the same, a table or stand being added. Sanitary arrangements have been vastly improved, and the addition of a superior grade of homemade wheat bread and coffee to the bill of fare has made a more palatable menu.

Some forty years ago it was written that every advance in the amelioration of convict prisons systems of discipline began in Philadelphia. In the discussion of these problems The Pennsylvania Prison Society took a conspicuous part. In 1856 the first published criticism of the contract system, under which the labor of the prisoners was sold for profit and to meet the prison expenses, issued from Philadelphia. The criticism was received with scorn and ridicule. Thoughtful students of humanitarian measures began investigations in one State after another, with the result that at the present time scarcely one State in the Union maintains such a system. But while Pennsylvania has led the way in many measures to reform the criminal and improve his condition, some States have made more rapid progress in these directions. Many States offer greater opportunities in their prisons for industrial employment than we can show in Pennsylvania. Most of the States have preceded us in the adoption of a Parole and a Probation system for adult convicts.

PROBATION, PAROLE, INDETERMINATE SENTENCE.

In 1909, the Legislature of Pennsylvania enacted a law providing for Probation for some classes of adult offenders, and also for a Parole of criminals sentenced to the Penitentiaries of the State under the conditions of an Indeterminate Sentence. Under the Probation Act, the Courts have power to suspend the imposition of the sentence and to place the defendant on Probation on such terms and conditions as the Court may deem proper.

The Parole Law applied to the sentences of criminals sentenced to the Penitentiary on and after June 30, 1909. Two Members of The Pennsylvania Prison Society were very active in framing this law and in securing its passage. The Legislature of 1911 amended this law so as to render almost nugatory some of the provisions of the law with regard to the Indeterminate Sentence. The Chairman of our Committee on Legislation has ably discussed this subject in an article published in the Journal which was issued in November, 1911. The following statistics, furnished by Parole Officer, John McKenty, of the Eastern Penitentiary, show the operation of the law to the end of the year 1911.

Number paroled since the law was effective 128

Number returned for failure to fulfill requirement 15

Number not reporting 3

Number of those paroled who have received final discharge 10

Number on Parole December 31, 1911 100

Percentage of success 85.9%

These figures compare quite favorably with the results reported from other States in which this system has been for a longer period in vogue.

THE EASTERN PENITENTIARY.

Reports of the Members of the Acting Committee, appointed to visit the Eastern Penitentiary, show that during the year 1911 6405 visits to prisoners have been made. Many unreported visits have gladdened the prisoner in his lonely cell. Several of our members participate in the Gospel services on the Sabbath.

One of the prisoners remarked to the Secretary that in his opinion the work of visitation was the most important function of the Society. This has been the most effective part of our work from the first. Some of the men’s blocks are not visited so often as would be desirable. The women’s block is said to be over-visited. Several organizations have the privilege of sending visitors to the twenty-seven women now incarcerated, and while visitors are welcomed at suitable times and under proper conditions, yet it is readily recognized that these prisoners of the women’s block should have sufficient time to attend to their regular, but not onerous, duties as assistants in various lines of domestic employment.

Under the management of Warden Robert J. McKenty, the administration is to be commended. The discipline is firm, but kindly, and so long as the privileges granted are not abused, there is allowed a large amount of freedom within reasonable limits. Hence, in this institution, the visitor may note an unusually contented and orderly body of convicts.

RELIEF FOR PRISONERS WHEN DISCHARGED.

The expense of supplying needy prisoners with clothing at the time of their discharge from the Eastern Penitentiary has been almost entirely borne by this Society since 1896. For the six years prior to 1896, the Legislature appropriated on the average of $2490.00 annually to the Society, which thereupon assumed the expense of providing outfits for the prisoners at the time of their release. In 1895, the Governor refused to sanction the appropriation. No legislative grant of funds has been made since that time to the Society. Our late Honorary Secretary, John J. Lytle, who at that time was the General Secretary of the Society, with untiring energy solicited contributions from benevolent citizens to supply the prisoners when released with presentable clothing. His whole heart was in this work and nobly did he discharge what he deemed to be his duty to administer the charity in which our Society had been, up to that time, assisted by the State. We are still providing an outfit for discharged prisoners, although this aid is supplied by legislative appropriation practically in every other State of the Union. I append to this report a schedule showing what provision is made for prisoners at the time of their discharge from the various State Prisons. (See page 38.)

During the year, 1911, the Secretary has furnished 370 men at the time of their discharge from the Eastern Penitentiary either with entire outfits, or with sufficient attire to make them presentable.

The following list shows what garments have been given:

Coats 293

Vests 294

Pants 294

Dress Shirts 243

Underclothing (pieces) 474

Hats 332

Suspenders, pairs 326

Neck-ties 314

Collars 41

Total number of garments 2611

A few of the women on their discharge have been furnished with suitable articles of apparel.

The administration of this charity is attended with peculiar advantages. It is an important duty to visit the prisoners near the close of their time of incarceration, and to learn from them with regard to their hopes and fears. Then, if ever, they need sympathetic attention. Many of them have friends or homes ready to receive them, but there are others who need more than a suit of clothes and a parting word of good wishes. We endeavor to find employment for such as these unfortunate ones, and, while in many cases we have succeeded, there is a remnant who are not strong enough to face the temptations of the outer world. Shall we not send such as these to a farm under control of the State, where they will have opportunity to work in the open air, and be retained in some kind of semi-detention until they have made good?

WESTERN PENITENTIARY.

Two members of the Acting Committee, who reside in Pittsburg, have reported various visits and some Gospel service in the Western Penitentiary.

In response to an inquiry with regard to the provision made for the prisoners of that institution at the time of their discharge, Warden John Francies writes as follows:

A. H. Votaw, Secretary, The Pennsylvania Prison Society, Philadelphia, Pa.

Dear Sir:—

Replying to your inquiry of Dec. 20, 1911, permit me to reply as follows:—

1. With regard to money to prisoners on discharge.

This depends upon the distance the prisoner is going. If within a radius of fifty miles, $5.00 is given. If outside the radius of fifty miles, $10.00 is given.

2. With regard to clothing to prisoners on discharge.

The prisoner is given $10.00 worth of clothing as provided for in appropriation by last session of Legislature.

3. Clothing supplied.

Suit complete, and furnishings, viz.: hat, shirt, shoes, hose, tie, collar, etc.

Yours very truly, John Francies, Warden.

At the last session of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, authority was granted to remove this prison from Allegheny City to some large tract of land amid healthier surroundings, and we have learned that a site has been selected about eight miles from Bellefonte in Centre county. Full opportunity will be afforded here to test the out-door treatment.

Chaplain Miller, of the Western Penitentiary, has kindly furnished the following statistics with regard to those paroled from that institution:

Whole number paroled 100

Number returnedd 15

Number not reportingd 0

Number of those paroled who have received final discharged 1

Number deceasedd 2

Number now on paroled 82

Percentage of successd 85%

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISONS.

The Committee appointed to visit the Philadelphia County Prisons have been diligent in this service and the reports show that 6100 visits have been made to the prisoners at Moyamensing and Holmesburg.

The General Agent, Fred. J. Pooley, has assisted several hundred at the time of their discharge with lodging, clothing, railroad fares, and with articles to sell, while they are awaiting more permanent employment. He has given help to a considerable number in securing situations. The Door of Blessing has indeed proved to be true to its name in giving help to the women at the time of their discharge.

GENERAL AGENT.

Our General Agent, Fred. J. Pooley, has found a large field for service at the Central Police Station at City Hall. He makes a special object to have interviews with those who have had a preliminary hearing before Magistrates, and who have been committed for trial before the Judges at City Hall. More than a thousand letters has he written in behalf of those who have been arrested in the last year. Very often he secures the release of young prisoners by promptly communicating with parents or relatives, who assume responsibility for the offender. Thus many first offenders are turned from the error of their ways by this timely attention, and escape the schooling in crime which they would inevitably receive by further association with hardened criminals. The work requires to be done with the utmost tact and discretion, and several of the Magistrates have borne testimony to the efficient service of our General Agent. He has presented a more detailed report, an abstract of which will be printed in the “Journal.”

COUNTY PRISONS (OUTSIDE OF PHILADELPHIA.)

Members of our Acting Committee have reported visits to the prisons in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Monroe, Lancaster and Westmoreland and other counties. With the passage of the proposed amendment to our Constitution, providing for additions to the Acting Committee, it will be possible to secure workers in other counties of the State, who, we trust, will be of material assistance in collecting information, and also in co-operating with us to secure measures to ameliorate some of the evils of the present system. There are very few county jails in the State whose construction and management may be regarded as creditable. Some of the officials are doubtless doing the best they can with the means at hand. But the great majority of jails throughout the State have made little progress in the last half century. “No prison without employment” should be our campaign cry. It ought not to be impracticable for a number of the smaller counties to unite in the management of a prison farm to which petty offenders should be sent. Such a farm should be self-supporting.

It should not be forgotten that the State of Pennsylvania has at least two institutions which for some years have illustrated the value and efficacy of farm life for prisoners. One is the Huntingdon Reformatory, the other is the Allegheny Work House at Hoboken.

AMERICAN PRISON CONGRESS.

Since our Journal for 1911 was issued so late in that year, it gave opportunity to include in its contents an account of the Proceedings of the American Prison Association, which met in Omaha, Nebraska, in October, 1911. This report was prepared by the secretary of the Society, who was appointed Delegate to the Association. Deborah C. Leeds was also present at the sessions of this body. In 1912, the Association will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, and we hope a considerable number of the members of our Society will attend its sessions.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY.

By motion of the Acting Committee passed in June, 1911, Dr. William C. Stokes was appointed Assistant to the Secretary. His duties have been to assist in the clerical work of the office, and especially to endeavor to increase the amount of funds collected for the use of the Society. Since his appointment, the office has been kept open during the greater part of the business hours of each day, and we have felt there was an important service in having the office accessible at all time to members and visitors. Since June 21st, a Register for Visitors has been kept, and the record shows that 417 visitors had registered to December 31st from 35 States. A few foreign visitors were received. Many of these visitors appear to appreciate information about the work in which we are engaged, and they generally accept some of our publications. We believe this opportunity to present some features of our work will prove of some value.

OBITUARIES.

During the year 1911, the Acting Committee lost by death three of its members.

On Eighth Month 18, our beloved Honorary Secretary, John J. Lytle, passed away from his residence at Moorestown, N. J.

On Second Month, 15, Miss Mary S. Whelen, formerly a very active and efficient member of the Active Committee, died at her home in this city.

On Seventh Month 1, Robert P. Nicholson, a new, but deeply interested, member died, as the result of an accident.

Appropriate notices of these valued members appeared in our Journal of October, 1911.

THE SCOPE OF OUR WORK.

In 1787, the labors of the Founders of our organization were confined to the prisons of Philadelphia. It was but a few years when they found it necessary, in order to accomplish certain reformatory measures, to petition the Legislature for some changes in, or additions to, the penal code. As time passed their interest extended beyond the limits of Philadelphia, but it was almost a hundred years after the founding of the Society that its name was changed from “The Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons” to “The Pennsylvania Prison Society.” Our interests are State-wide, and in furtherance of this, the Membership of the Acting Committee has recently been increased by the election of other interested citizens residing in counties outside of Philadelphia, thus enlarging the sphere of our influence. For many years, the Society has had the valuable services on its Acting Committee of two members from Pittsburg and several from counties adjacent to Philadelphia, but closer relations with the prison work in all parts of the State are much to be desired.

Our Master said, “I was in prison and ye came unto me.” In the spirit of the Master, let us endeavor to impress in the name of humanity, all well-disposed people everywhere to lend a helping hand to their brothers and sisters who have been overtaken by a fault.

On behalf of the Acting Committee, Albert H. Votaw, Secretary.