The names have been omitted of those who have written letters and testimonies; however, they appear in full in the original manuscript and are genuine. Only the serial numbers are given to those whose biographies appear in the book. We are grateful for the kind assistance of prison officials and prisoners who have kindly contributed. Further communications, or letters, from prisoners or any one interested in this line of work will be gladly received by the author. With an earnest prayer for the salvation of every prisoner, I remain, Yours in Him, E. E. BYRUM. Moundsville, W. Va., July 4, 1901. _CONTENTS._ PAGE. In Prison. 9 Make the Best of It. 12 Punishment. 14 Capital Punishment. 22 Life Imprisonment. 26 The Dungeon. 28 Cat-o’-nine-tails. 33 Buck and Gagged. 34 Lock-step March. 34 Literary Privileges. 37 Tobacco Allowance. 46 The Prisoner’s Work. 47 The Stockades. 48 The Chain Gang. 49 The Felon’s Cell. 53 The Library. 56 The Chapel. 58 Scaling the Prison Walls. 60 A Prison Reform. 64 History of West Virginia Penitentiary. 73 (As Written by a Prisoner.) Letters from Prison Officials. 107 Testimonies of Convicts. 121 Released from Prison. 141 _LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS._ PAGE. The Black List. 19 Cat-o’-nine-tails. 31 Lock-step March. 35 The Chain Gang. 51 Scaling the Prison Walls. 61 Tracked by Bloodhounds—Captured. 69