Some Side-Lights on New Jersey Prisoners.—Next to the United States, Italy is the birthplace of more prisoners at present confined in the New Jersey State Prison, at Trenton, than any other country. Out of 1,393 prisoners remaining in the institution on October 31, 1910, 910 were born in the United States, 205 in Italy, 56 in Germany, 39 in Hungary, 36 in Russia, Poland, 30 in Russia, and 29 in Austria. Nearly half of the total were, when received by the institution, between the ages of twenty and thirty years. Six hundred and twenty-five were of this age, 366 were between thirty and forty, and 167 were between forty and fifty. One hundred and twenty-six were between fifteen and twenty. Two hundred and six can neither read nor write.
During the year ended October 31, 1910, 516 persons were received by the institution, and 110 were paroled. During the five years of the operation of the parole law, 1,266 prisoners have been paroled. Seventy-two of these have been again convicted and committed to this prison, 71 have had their paroles revoked, and 24 have been returned for violation of parole.
Stereoptican lectures on historical and civic subjects have been given on legal holidays. The report of the prison board states that although 300 men have been gathered together in a darkened room on such occasions, there has not been a single instance of misconduct during the lectures.
Study of Tuberculosis in Prisons.—A partial investigation is being made by the Central Howard Association of Chicago in regard to the prevalence of tuberculosis in prisons. In an inquiry sent out the question was asked: “How many inmates are affected, in any degree, with tuberculosis?” Seventy-four replies gave a total of 834 cases. One institution gave sixty as the number affected with tuberculosis, while the same report stated that an additional 300 had “symptoms” of the disease. The next highest number given by one institution was 49. Few admitted to more than ten or twelve, and some stated that no cases were known. It is believed that many cases of tuberculosis exist which are not detected by the average prison physician, and also that each state is reluctant to admit the full proportion of inmates afflicted. In most cases, probably, the reports gave only the number in the hospital. Even though many prisoners may have had incipient tuberculosis before entering prison (wherefore the institution should not be held responsible) it would be of much public interest to know just how many are affected in “any degree.” Will somebody suggest a method by which the actual facts may be secured?
F. E. L.
San Quentin May be Made a Reformatory.—Last month THE REVIEW stated that the California legislature was considering a bill providing for the establishment of a reformatory for first offenders. Now comes news of another bill which seeks to convert San Quentin prison into such a reformatory, thereby making Folsom the only penitentiary in the state. The bill, it is reported, seeks the reform of young criminals by setting aside San Quentin as a reformatory to which will be sent after July 4 next all female prisoners and all males, except those convicted of murder or treason, who at the time of commitment are between the ages of 16 and 30 years and who have never before been convicted of a felony.
Provision is made, however, that any person convicted of a heinous crime, robbery or burglary, may be committed either to San Quentin or Folsom. The board of prison directors may also transfer from the reformatory to Folsom prison all who seem hopeless of being reformed, and when Folsom is overcrowded to the extent of having more prisoners than cells, the board may transfer likely prisoners to the reformatory until the latter institution is not overcrowded. It is set forth that all life termers over 55 years of age in San Quentin shall not be moved. Provision is also made for putting the indeterminate sentence system into effect.