In addition to the share in the profits granted to employees in the reed and rattan shop, the warden has given the prisoners the privilege of making any articles which they are capable of manufacturing in their cells during leisure hours. Materials are supplied where the supplies of the prison permit, and the articles made are sold by the prison and the money given to the convicts. Joliet convicts to the number of 500 were back at their work peacefully recently following a night of fire-fighting when flames destroyed a portion of the rattan shop of the State penitentiary. Convicts, from embezzlers to life termers, fought side by side with the prison guards and members of the Joliet fire department. None tried to make their escape, and when the fire companies withdrew from the blackened ruins the men quietly returned to their cells. Warden Allen says that he believes the introduction of the “honor system” during his administration had much to do with the action of the prisoners. For a long time the big east gate leading to the prison stood open, and he has yet to learn of any prisoner that made any attempt to get away. * * * * * _Harmless “Pirates.”_--At the State Reformatory for Women in Massachusetts, on June 6th, before an audience of 300 guests, friends of the institution, the “Pirates of Penzance” was given by the women inmates. About 60 of the women took part on the stage. The excellent work and good voices were a surprise and gratification, and this performance, which was heartily applauded, was, undoubtedly, the most elaborate and successful ever given by inmates of any penal institution in the country. The costumes, stage arrangements and decorations, were the work of the women. All winter long the work has been an uplifting and engaging employment for all the inmates, giving them new tasks outside the daily prison routine. At the rehearsals, the 350 inmates have gathered in the large hall, and watched the performance of the 50 to 60 women on the platform. The study and work has benefited every inmate, and especially inspired all who took part. The work is an indication of the broad scheme of Mrs. Jessie D. Hodder and her staff in renewing the lives of the women in her charge. * * * * * _New Prison Training Effective_--So says the Buffalo Inquirer: Of the 1,639 convicts in the Ohio State prison at Columbus, 1,331 are first termers. Of the 784 discharged and the 743 received in the last year only fourteen were second termers. “Such figures indicate that the Ohio prison management is doing something to lessen the number of repeaters. Apparently the training the prisoners receive is doing something to work up the ability and will to lead to the life that saves them from being sent back again.