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
The historical record in general indicates a series of failures rather
than of successes in penal administration. The so-called “Pennsylvania
system,” the “Auburn Plan,” the method of contract labor, the State-Use
plan, the Parole work, the efforts at Reformation, the partisan Boards,
all have their share of more or less condemnation.
The student of penology, however, will discover in this record
encouraging tendencies which may ultimately bring about a higher type
of treatment of those who go astray.
The Commission believes in giving the largest opportunities for work
in the open air and regards with detestation the “_vicious rule of
silence_.”
Their discussion with regard to the merits and demerits of a Central
Board of Control of all correctional institutions is deeply interesting
and illuminating. They have come to the conclusion that a “system may
be devised which will give to the State of New Jersey the benefits of
a centralized control of its correctional system as a whole, but which
will still leave to the separate institutions the advantages of the
personal interest and devotion which have been such important factors
in their development.” To accomplish this purpose, they recommend
the appointment of a Central Board by the Governor, who without
compensation, shall have a general power of supervision and visitation
of all correctional institutions. The local boards are to be continued
with authority to manage the several institutions to which they are
attached.
The principal recommendation of this Commission is to advise the
appointment of this Central Board with whom should be vested the power
to readjust, harmonize and improve the entire penal system of the State.
BILIBID.
As we are going to press, there comes to hand a little pamphlet
describing the industries and production of Bilibid.
Why not send our wardens who desire to do things to Bilibid? Perhaps,
it would be better to send our legislators, who after observing the
practical achievements of Bilibid may be induced to authorize our
wardens to inaugurate a sound industrial policy.
Where is Bilibid? Take the train for San Francisco, engage passage on
some leviathan of the deep and get off probably at the second station
which is Manila. Thence it is a short excursion to Bilibid, a trip
taken by twenty thousand visitors in a single year, not to mention
those who take involuntary trips thither.
Forty buildings, seventeen acres of ground, plan of main building like
Eastern Penitentiary, one of the best ever constructed if we consider
continual inspection as an essential factor. 2800 prisoners there; as
many others in prisons elsewhere in the islands but all co-ordinated
under a central administration.
The great aim is to prepare the inmates for “honorable position in the
community upon their release.”
The men work and play. We enumerate some of the industries.
1. Manufacture and repair of carriages, wagons, carts, trucks,
trailers, etc.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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