A FEAST OF REASON AND A FLOW OF SOUL.
Within the last two years, in the Empire State, some prison officials and students of penology have occasionally met for an informal conference on methods of penal management. No reporters attend, they have no Secretary, there are no restrictive features, the discussions are frank, free and open. They have been held at some one of the institutions, and so the visitors have opportunity to observe from the inside the methods and employments of the prison where the meetings may be held.
Those who attend these conferences are the guests of the institution which is visited. They have been held at the Elmira Reformatory, at Great Meadow, at Blackwell’s Island and possibly at one or two other prisons.
Last summer it was the good fortune of the Secretary to have the privilege of attending the meeting held at Great Meadow at Comstock, N. Y. Perhaps there were fifty ladies and gentlemen in attendance, among whom were Jas. M. Carter, Superintendent of Prisons for the State of New York; Warden Trombly, of Danemora; William George, founder of the school which bears his name; ex-Warden Geo. W. Kirchwey, O. F. Lewis, Secretary of the New York Prison Association; Miss Katherine B. Davis, Commissioner of Parole and Probation, New York City, and various officials connected with the New York City prisons and other penal institutions of the State.
Arriving at Comstock the guests were met by our genial host, Warden Homer, whose conveyances soon brought us to the Administration Building. There were excursions about the big farm and the various buildings. Bounteous meals were served under a tent on the grounds of the shady lawn. The ladies were lodged in the administration building. It was at one time supposed that the gentlemen would occupy cells in the regular prison department, but for some reason this very interesting proposition was relinquished, and a garage was converted into an airy dormitory for the accommodation of the gentlemen. Prisoners brought iron bedsteads and bedding and nothing was omitted for the comfort of the guests. A shower bath was improvised, and in the morning the barber and the shoe polisher appeared with all the proper accoutrements.
The guests arrived on Friday morning and departed the next afternoon. There were three informal meetings, at which a variety of penological subjects were both lightly and profoundly discussed. Proceedings are not to be published, hence there is no feeling of restraint.
The writer trusts he will not violate the confidence of his friends if he may refer to one or two points in the discussion.
One of the prisoners on the farm—by the way an ex-member of the New York State Legislature—addressed the company in emphatic recommendation of The Honor System as employed by Warden Homer. He stated that the prisoners there did not care for any extension of the self-government plan. He was sure that Warden Homer could govern them better than they could govern themselves. They were as comfortable as any persons restrained within limits could be supposed to be. They knew they could get a “square deal” from Warden Homer, and they did not care to shift the responsibility of government to any other shoulders.
An enthusiastic supporter of the self-government system was rather inclined to look with disfavor on a benevolent despotism, such as the system now in vogue at Great Meadow. The persons so governed lost initiative and the power of thinking for themselves. They had no opportunity of profiting by their own mistakes. They became mere puppets, and were not learning the practical lessons which would fit them for the life outside.
The company listened with interest to an expert dietitian who spoke of the crude and ragged methods of preparing food in the penal institutions. Sufficient food was provided as a rule, but it was ruined in the preparation.
Mentally, morally, socially and gastronomically, we may state, the meeting was a success.
Last October we enjoyed a similar conference at Sleighton Farm, Pa., and we know of no reason why the experiment may not be repeated in this commonwealth.
The Secretary is willing to suggest that there are in Pennsylvania several country clubs where such a conference would be welcomed. He is willing to mention The Reformatory at Huntingdon with its splendid farm, the beautiful campus of the School at Morganza, the Workhouse at Holmesburg and Hoboken, and the magnificent State Prison Farm at Bellefonte. Perhaps Warden John Francies would prefer to receive us when his institution is nearer completion.
When the invitation comes from any of the institutions mentioned, there will be a response.
A. H. V.