Mr. Robert Dunning Dripps spoke of the admirable purpose of the bill, though admitting that certain modifications were probably needed to render it thoroughly effective. He was emphatic in condemnation of the conditions now existent in the county jails. The employment of all prisoners must be guaranteed. So far as possible they should be employed in the open air, in order to build up their physical condition. Such work, under wise handling, has solved some of the economic problems of prison management. We have too many jails. Fewer prisons with equal conditions of population and opportunities could be administered more effectively and economically. Farm penal institutions in many places have gone beyond the experimental stage and have revealed amazing possibilities of reformation, economy and ease of administration. Witness our State Farm at Bellefonte, various penal farms in New York, the misdemeanant farms in Massachusetts and Indiana, and the large penal farm at Guelph, Ontario. Farm work could be managed by the inmates of county jails with less risk on the whole than by the convicts sent to the penitentiaries. If a few escape the harm they would do to any community would be less on the average than hardened convicts who receive the long sentences. He recalled that all properly managed insane asylums have their inmates in the open air as much as possible and give them every opportunity to engage in the work of raising the supplies of food. It is all wrong to pen up a thousand men in close confinement because some half dozen of them may try to escape. He did not speak as a mere theorist, because, as Director of Public Safety, he had been responsible for the management of the House of Correction, where he had observed the beneficial effects of working on the farm and the ease with which this sort of work could be administered.
Mrs. Falconer emphasized the viciousness of idleness. She knew of the wholesome results of allowing women to work in the open, and, of course, it must readily follow that men would be equally improved.
Mr. Pascoe, Warden of the prison at Easton, stated that he had about 100 prisoners who are only partially employed in carpet weaving. He has a small exercise yard where his men are allowed to parade about an hour daily. With his scant space and opportunities he is hampered. He would be very willing to make arrangements to have his men work on the Poor Farm about seven miles away if the authorities would grant the privilege. He is entirely aware of the evils of idleness, and would welcome the opportunity to employ his inmates in farm work. Possibly a few might escape, but the harm they might do would be entirely out of proportion to the injury done to the men by the present system of detaining them in idleness.
THE GLEN MILLS FARM.
It was the first visit of most of the men to this highly cultivated farm of 500 or more acres, and they were both surprised and delighted to have a visible illustration of what may be accomplished by lads and young men in the line of husbandry. They were received very graciously by Superintendent Nibecker, who, after some explanation of the general system, conducted them over the plantation. There was an exhibit of corn (many stalks being fifteen feet in height, with two ears), pumpkins, cowbeets, turnips, etc., which would make a creditable showing before any body of experts. The dairy of blooded stock was inspected, and a piggery inhabited by over 200 fine specimens of porkers was much admired for its fine sanitary condition. The report in 1916 showed that about forty products of the farm were valued at $23,581 and that the expenses charged to the farm amounted to $8,033, thus showing the handsome balance of $15,548 to the credit of the farming operations.
The Conference met for a brief session in the parlor of the institution. On motion, Mr. Edward Taenzer, of Reading, was made Chairman of this meeting. Mr. Votaw had already suggested that there might be a service in forming a more permanent organization of prison officials of this Commonwealth. There were many features of administration to be discussed, and he thought mutual benefit would accrue from an occasional conference, annual or semi-annual, to compare views and methods. Especially would such conference be of value and of great influence in being able to present to the General Assembly their united views, based on practical experience, with regard to proposed penal legislation, and also to suggest and promote measures for improvement of penal conditions. This proposition appeared to receive the unanimous endorsement of those present.
Chairman Taenzer suggested annual conferences and hoped that an effort would be made to equalize the working of the laws in all counties. Many of the counties operated under special legislation. The County of Berks, working under an Act of 1848, was at a decided disadvantage, compared with other counties. There was no uniformity in regard to turnkey fees, and many other customs, some of them belonging to a past age.
On motion of Mr. Votaw the following Committee was appointed to make arrangements for another similar conference to be held probably next autumn, and to draft regulations for the government of the body: Edward Taenzer, Chairman; Warden Clower, of West Chester; Warden McIlhenny, of Harrisburg; Warden Obetz, of Lancaster, and Agent McGarry, of the State Board of Charities. On motion, A. H. Votaw was appointed Secretary of this Committee.
A vote of thanks to Mrs. Falconer and to Mr. Nibecker was extended for their generous hospitality and for their many courtesies to the conference. It seemed that nothing which pertained to the comfort and pleasure of the visitors had been left undone.
The Conference adjourned with a feeling that this meeting had been successful and that a permanent organization would be of decided service to the best interests of the Commonwealth.