The journal of prison discipline and philanthropy (New series, No. 57), March, 1918Pennsylvania Prison Society
History
The journal of prison discipline and philanthropy (New series, No. 57), March, 1918
Pennsylvania Prison Society
Charities -- Periodicals; Prisons -- Periodicals
Mr. Pascoe, Warden of the prison at Easton, stated that he had about
100 prisoners who are only partially employed in carpet weaving. He
has a small exercise yard where his men are allowed to parade about an
hour daily. With his scant space and opportunities he is hampered. He
would be very willing to make arrangements to have his men work on the
Poor Farm about seven miles away if the authorities would grant the
privilege. He is entirely aware of the evils of idleness, and would
welcome the opportunity to employ his inmates in farm work. Possibly
a few might escape, but the harm they might do would be entirely out
of proportion to the injury done to the men by the present system of
detaining them in idleness.
THE GLEN MILLS FARM.
It was the first visit of most of the men to this highly cultivated
farm of 500 or more acres, and they were both surprised and delighted
to have a visible illustration of what may be accomplished by lads
and young men in the line of husbandry. They were received very
graciously by Superintendent Nibecker, who, after some explanation of
the general system, conducted them over the plantation. There was an
exhibit of corn (many stalks being fifteen feet in height, with two
ears), pumpkins, cowbeets, turnips, etc., which would make a creditable
showing before any body of experts. The dairy of blooded stock was
inspected, and a piggery inhabited by over 200 fine specimens of
porkers was much admired for its fine sanitary condition. The report
in 1916 showed that about forty products of the farm were valued at
$23,581 and that the expenses charged to the farm amounted to $8,033,
thus showing the handsome balance of $15,548 to the credit of the
farming operations.
The Conference met for a brief session in the parlor of the
institution. On motion, Mr. Edward Taenzer, of Reading, was made
Chairman of this meeting. Mr. Votaw had already suggested that there
might be a service in forming a more permanent organization of
prison officials of this Commonwealth. There were many features of
administration to be discussed, and he thought mutual benefit would
accrue from an occasional conference, annual or semi-annual, to compare
views and methods. Especially would such conference be of value and of
great influence in being able to present to the General Assembly their
united views, based on practical experience, with regard to proposed
penal legislation, and also to suggest and promote measures for
improvement of penal conditions. This proposition appeared to receive
the unanimous endorsement of those present.
Chairman Taenzer suggested annual conferences and hoped that an effort
would be made to equalize the working of the laws in all counties.
Many of the counties operated under special legislation. The County of
Berks, working under an Act of 1848, was at a decided disadvantage,
compared with other counties. There was no uniformity in regard to
turnkey fees, and many other customs, some of them belonging to a past
age.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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