The men in Classes (1) and (2) are detained in special quarters, and under special supervision, and work apart from the rest, with whom they have no intercourse whatever, being, in fact, treated as criminals. The only difference between Classes (3) and (4) in regard to treatment is that the younger men are kept separate from the older, and that a portion of their time is devoted to school. The infirm in Class (5) are able to do light work, while the incurables do none. Class (6) explains itself. All the offenders, except those in Class (5), are allowed to earn wages on the scale applying to their employment; those in Class (6) are given canteen money of 3 centimes per day for the purchase of small luxuries. As has been explained, the minimum sentence of detention is two years, but owing to the exercise of the Minister's prerogative of pardon, the average term of confinement is about sixteen months. The small staff of eighty warders (with the military guard to fall back upon), under a chief director and two deputy directors, is found sufficient to control the movements of this great army of "irregulars"; in addition, there are one doctor, two priests, five teachers, nineteen clerks, one manufacturing manager, and six sisters of mercy. Many reliable men are, however, chosen from the ranks of the prisoners to assist in the superintendence of work. The offenders dealt with during the seven years 1902 to 1908 were as follows:-- MERXPLAS BEGGARS' DEPOT (MEN). --------------------------------------------------------------------- | 1902. | 1903. | 1904. | 1905. | 1906. | 1907. | 1908. |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|------- Admitted | 4,514 | 4,649 | 4,615 | 4,624 | 4,426 | 4,212 | 4,431 Discharged | 2,847 | 2,922 | 2,827 | 2,666 | 2,935 | 2,792 | 2,282 Transferred | 501 | 452 | 514 | 439 | 504 | 464 | 478 Absconded | 879 | 1,004 | 1,066 | 1,243 | 1,031 | 919 | 1,055 Died | 125 | 108 | 112 | 94 | 136 | 134 | 139 |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|------- Total | 4,352 | 4,486 | 4,519 | 4,442 | 4,606 | 4,309 | 3,954 |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|------- Detained on | 4,851 | 5,014 | 5,110 | 5,292 | 5,112 | 5,015 | 5,492 December 31 | | | | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------- The admissions shown above included the reinstatements (of inmates escaped) after capture, and the admissions by transfer from other institutions. The direct admissions, the admissions by transfer, and the reinstatements after escape are here shown separately for the years 1901 to 1908:--