THE EASTERN PENITENTIARY.
Reports of the Members of the Acting Committee, appointed to visit the Eastern Penitentiary, show that during the year 1911 6405 visits to prisoners have been made. Many unreported visits have gladdened the prisoner in his lonely cell. Several of our members participate in the Gospel services on the Sabbath.
One of the prisoners remarked to the Secretary that in his opinion the work of visitation was the most important function of the Society. This has been the most effective part of our work from the first. Some of the men’s blocks are not visited so often as would be desirable. The women’s block is said to be over-visited. Several organizations have the privilege of sending visitors to the twenty-seven women now incarcerated, and while visitors are welcomed at suitable times and under proper conditions, yet it is readily recognized that these prisoners of the women’s block should have sufficient time to attend to their regular, but not onerous, duties as assistants in various lines of domestic employment.
Under the management of Warden Robert J. McKenty, the administration is to be commended. The discipline is firm, but kindly, and so long as the privileges granted are not abused, there is allowed a large amount of freedom within reasonable limits. Hence, in this institution, the visitor may note an unusually contented and orderly body of convicts.