Many people believe these same conditions exist at present, for Dickens’ works are read quite as freely today as they have been at any time since they first left the press.
Then again, many people confound this institution with “Moyamensing,” which is the county prison, and somewhat different.
Some of our contemporaries, and especially those in Western States, are evidently under the impression that the system in vogue fifty years ago is yet in force in this institution, and so far from giving any indication of being fully abreast of the times as they claim, one would suppose they must have enjoyed a period of oblivion, second only to that of dear old Rip Van Winkle.
More especially for their benefit therefore, it is said that the Eastern Penitentiary of Pennsylvania, situated in the city of Philadelphia, has for at least five years maintained a system of humanitarian treatment of its inmates which is the STANDARD FOR THIS COUNTRY, IF NOT FOR THE WORLD.
Among the benefits enjoyed by the people in this place, first is WORK. Every man who is able, finds some occupation suited to his capacity. Thirty-five per cent. of them are engaged in different occupations in which they share in the profits to the extent of from $5 to $15 per month. Labor unions have decreed that not more than this number shall be so employed. But all others are engaged in some labor, for which the State makes a very small allowance, sufficient to keep them in tobacco, which is permitted in every form excepting cigarettes.
What these earnings amount to may be told right here, through figures taken from the last annual report:
Sent to relatives, etc., $24,626.75; drew in cash on discharge, $6,721.91; spent for sundries, $12,036.90; on hand in savings banks, $3,795.00; cash to their credit in office, $12,278.18. A per capita “wealth” of a trifle over $10.
The average population is a little over 1400, but at this season of the year we hover around the 1500 mark. Of this number, 500 are attending the schools of this place, which are under the supervision of a salaried teacher, who is assisted by inmates selected on account of their qualifications for this kind of work. In addition, there is a correspondence school for the higher branches of English, where men receive instructions in their cells from visiting teachers.
We have trade schools, where men are taught carpentry, brick laying, plumbing, plastering, and the different branches of electricity. Instructions are both theoretical and practical.
We have a band of 40 pieces with an auxiliary band of the same number under the direction of a salaried musician, who is in attendance six days a week.