About nine years ago a man left the Penitentiary and went to work for his brother-in-law, who was a baker, getting his board only. After some months he came to me saying he wanted to earn some money for himself, and asked me to get him work, even if it was as a laborer on the street. I dissuaded him from that, and encouraged him to remain, so that he might not only learn the business, but also to establish for himself a reputation. This advice was taken; he joined the Episcopal Church. I received a letter from his rector speaking in high terms of him. He afterwards went to another brother-in-law in one of the interior cities of our State. He remained there long enough to become thoroughly acquainted with that branch of business, saving up all his wages—to-day he has two establishments of his own, is married, and doing well.
Another is that of one who had a sentence of over twenty years for atrocious cruelty to an elderly couple in connection with a burglary—his second conviction. It seemed almost a hopeless case, but he was taken in hand by a faithful Christian member of our committee, joined the Episcopal Church, and is a sincere Christian, faithful, and trusted by his employer; has been out over ten years.
Another, to show how difficult it is for a discharged prisoner to obtain a situation. A man was discharged about whom there were strong doubts of his being guilty, not a crime against property. He was a skilled workman in an industry of which there are very few in this country, and such men are in demand. The foreman in the manufactory where he formerly worked agreed to take him the next morning. Calling the men together, he informed them that he was going to take —— back. They said if he did they would all strike—they would not work with an ex-convict. I boarded him for three weeks, getting odd jobs now and then, and finally sent him to New York, where he has employment in the same branch of business—have had a letter thanking me for what I did for him. Very many such cases could be mentioned. All these were aided on their leaving the prison.
THE OFFICERS.
The warden, D. W. Bussinger, who in the short time he has been in office has proved himself to be very efficient, and has instituted many important reforms. It is his aim to make it the model prison of the United States. He thoroughly understands what is needed, and is truly the right man in the right place.
George Dorward, called the “Principal Overseer,” is very faithful to his duties, and living in some of the apartments of the Penitentiary, is always at hand to render efficient services to the warden.
The Rev. Joseph Welch, the chaplain, officially called the “Moral Instructor,” and his able assistant, the Rev. H. Cresson McHenry, are earnestly desirous for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the prisoners, and are ever on the alert to instil into their minds the necessity for a change in their lives, to cease to do evil, and learn to do well. They devote their time to the good of the prisoner, and the result cannot fail to be beneficial. It is particularly gratifying that the Moral Instructor has such an able and valuable assistant. I have again to thank the warden and all of the overseers for the valuable assistance rendered me in the prosecution of my work, which requires much tact and judgment in determining what is best to be done in such cases.
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY PRISON AND ANNEX.
The Visiting Committee report 848 visits to the prison during the past year, and including the new convict prison at Holmesburg, 6,191 visits reported to prisoners either in the cells or at the cell doors.
The prisons are in good condition, and well kept, and are models for county prisons. It is much to be regretted that every one committed, especially those before trial, could not be kept in a separate cell. Many of those were in prison for the first time, and often associated with hardened criminals, thus rendering our county prisons the nurseries of crime.