There continues to be an increasing interest in the subject of Penology, very much attributed to the publicity given through the meetings of the National Prison Congress held in various parts of the country. I receive very many letters asking for information and especially from libraries asking for complete files of our “Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy,” speaking of it as a very valuable publication. As our back numbers are now all disposed, and as requests continue to pour in upon us, I would be pleased if any to whom this Journal is sent, have back numbers previous to 1900 which they do not wish to keep, would send to the Secretary Fifth and Chestnut Sts., Phila.; it would enable us to fill orders from libraries. WORK OF THE SOCIETY AND ITS ACTING COMMITTEE. The Acting Committee meets monthly when reports are received from the Visiting Committee of the Eastern State Penitentiary, the two County Prisons, House of Correction, “Associated Committee of Women on Police Matrons,” General Secretary and from many of the County Prisons of the State. It is much to be regretted that the press of our city gives so much publicity to the time when noted criminals are discharged. The impropriety of this is especially noticeable where the separate system prevails, for it undoes the secrecy which is so essential to reform. By it old crimes are recounted, and no matter how much a man desires to reform the way is closed for his obtaining employment, and he sees nothing else than to go back to his former criminal life. Every one should have an opportunity to reform, and his former career should not be published to the world. There have been cases where the press told in advance when a certain criminal was to be released, and I have seen crowds of men and boys waiting to see such a one come out. THE EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY. For the benefit of those who have not seen our former Journals it may be again well to state that the institution is visited by a sub-committee of the Acting Committee set apart for this service, to each of whom is assigned a particular division, which he under the Constitution and By-Laws is expected to visit “at least once in two weeks and oftener if convenient.” (Extract from the Constitution.) Rev. Joseph Welch and his able assistant, Rev. H. Cresson McHenry devote their whole time to visiting the prisoners, and are doing a noble work for their spiritual good. Their task is a great one for with a population of over 1,200 it taxes their time to the utmost--this then is where the members of the Acting Committee perform valuable service. From monthly reports received from those members it appears that 731 visits have been made to the Penitentiary during the past year, and 15,616 visits have been made to prisoners either inside the cells or at the cell doors. As many of the members failed to send in reports, the number visited will much exceed this.