On Saturdays and the evenings before festivals work ceases at 4.0 p.m., but the intervening time until 5.45 is given to cleaning the washplaces, etc., and bedtime is 6.0 o'clock.
Sundays and Festivals.
| Summer. | Winter. | |||||||||||
| Rise | 5.45 a.m. | 6.45 a.m. | ||||||||||
| Breakfast | 6.0. | a.m. | to | 6.15. | a.m. | 7.0. | a.m. | to | 7.15. | a.m. | ||
| Exercise in open air | 6.15. | " | to | 8.30. | " | 7.15. | " | to | 8.30. | " | ||
| Divine service | 8.30. | " | to | 9.30. | " | 8.30. | " | to | 9.30. | " | ||
| Exercise in open air | 9.30. | " | to | 12.0. | " | 9.30. | " | to | 12.0. | " | ||
| Dinner | 12.0. | p.m. | to | 12.30. | p.m. | 12.0. | p.m. | to | 12.30. | p.m. | ||
| Exercise in open air and relaxation | 12.30 | " | to | 12.30. | " | 12.30. | " | to | 5.0. | " | ||
| Supper | 5.0 | " | to | 5.30. | " | 5.0. | " | to | 5.30. | " | ||
| Rest | 5.30 | " | to | 5.45. | " | 5.30. | " | to | 5.450. | " | ||
| Bedtime | 5.45 p.m. | 5.45 p.m. | ||||||||||
While, as a rule, the hours of work are the same for all, the tasks allotted are, as far as possible, proportioned to individual capacity. One of the rules[64] of the establishment states:—
"Every inmate is required to perform, without demur and to the best of his ability, the work allotted to him, either inside or outside the establishment. As a rule, all inmates have to work on week-days an equal number of hours, and to perform in that time a task proportionate to their capacity, the completion of which, however, does not exempt them from working to the end of the usual time. The administration may, however, under certain circumstances curtail the duration of the daily hours of work and the extent of the task in individual cases. Anyone who, owing to idleness or negligence, fails to perform his allotted task, or who in general works slothfully or negligently, will be punished. No inmate may, without permission, allow his work to be done for him by another, or do another's work."
For the encouragement of diligence and good conduct a small wage is paid. This amounts to 10 pfennige or 1½d. per day for most work, but only half this sum in the case of certain inferior occupations. The rule on the subject says:—
"The proceeds of the work done by the inmates, on the order of the Administration, belong to the Municipality of Berlin, and are paid into the treasury of the establishment. The extra pay credited to the inmates by employers is divided into two equal parts, of which one is placed at the inmate's disposal for the purchase of extra food, the payment of postage, and other necessary expenses, during his detention, while the other accumulates as savings until his discharge."
At the beginning of the financial year 1908-9 the bonus account of the various inmates stood at £1,196 10s.; there was added during the year £2,331, and paid out £2,109 10s., leaving a balance to the credit of the inmates of £1,418. The disbursements from this account during the year included £1,249 paid to discharged inmates, £573 paid to detainees for the purchase of extras, £159 paid for clothing needed by departing inmates, and £102 charged for damage done through malice or negligence.
The utmost endeavour is made, by firm yet just treatment, to encourage the inmates in the habit of industry; the individuality and aptitude of each man are carefully studied, with a view to his employment in the manner most likely to draw out the best in him; the diligent and trustworthy are selected for the more responsible posts, and all are made to feel that their re-making lies in their own hands. Great stress is laid upon the moral basis of work, without undue obtrusion of the religious motive. One of the regulations runs:—