the twin hells(两个地狱)-第44章
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CHAPTER XVI
THE MISSOURI PRISONERS
The Missouri penitentiary contains 1；894 convicts。 This is the most
populous penal institution in the United States。 Crime is on the increase。
The number of prisoners is gradually becoming larger。 Reformation is not
the success that it should be。 A great many of the prisoners return a second；
third and many the fourth time。 There is one old convict now an inmate
who has served nine different terms in this prison。 The highest number that
was ever at any prior time in this penitentiary； was reached on
Thanksgiving Day of 1889。 In 1836； fifty…four years ago； when this prison
was founded； there were eighteen prisoners received the first day。 During
the year one received a pardon； leaving at the close seventeen prisoners。 At
the close of 1889 there were nineteen hundred inmates。 As the population
of Missouri increases； she is generous enough to contribute her quota to
the felon cells within her borders。 The increase of from seventeen at the
close of the first year to that of nineteen hundred at the close of the last
year； speaks volumes。 What can be done to lessen this fearful increase of
crime？ It is true that the population of the State has increased amazingly
since 1836； but crime has increased too rapidly in proportion to the
increase of population。
When a man； accused of crime； is convicted and sentenced in any of
the courts of the State； a commitment is furnished the sheriff； by the clerk
of the court。 This document is a writing； giving the name of the prisoner；
the crime of which he stands committed； and the term for which he is
sentenced。 It is the authority given the sheriff to convey to the penitentiary
the person named therein； and to deliver him to the warden。 As soon as the
warden receives the commitment he assumes control of the prisoner； and
retains it until his term of service expires； or is liberated by pardon or
some court decree。 It is curious to note how differently prisoners act on
coming to the penitentiary。 Some of them quake with fear and tremble as
the aspen leaf。 Others weep like whipped children。 While others do not
seem to mind it much。 This latter class is chiefly made up of those who
have served terms before； and have had experience。 The officers try to
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THE TWIN HELLS
crush the spirit of the criminal the first day he enters。 The poor culprit；
already quaking with fear； is spoken to in a cross and harsh manner； as if
he was going to be struck over the head with a club the next moment。 He
is locked up in the reception cell； a low； dark dungeon。 To use the
expressive language of the prison； he is left in this dungeon to 〃soak〃 for
an indefinite time； often for a day and a night。 In this dreaded spot； in his
loneliness and shame he has an opportunity for meditation。 I don't suppose
there ever was a person who； in this reception cell for the first time； did
not heartily regret the commission of his crime。 Here he thinks of his past
life。 The days of his innocent childhood come flitting before him。 The
faces of loved ones； many of whom now dead； pass in review。 It is here he
thinks of his loving mother； of his kind old father； of his weeping sisters
and sympathizing brothers。
He travels； time and again； the road of his past life。 In his reveries of
solitude he sits once more in the old school…house of his boyhood days。 It
comes to him； now with greater force than ever before； what he might
have been； had he taken a different course； Alas！ it is too late。 He is
forever disgraced。 There is but little hope for him now in the future。
Reader； behold this unfortunate youth as he sits in his lonely dungeon； his
first day in the penitentiary。 On a low chair； his elbows resting on his
knees； his face buried in his hands； he sits and tries to imagine what is in
store for him。 He endeavors to peer into the future； and all is gloom。 That
sweet angel we call Hope； has spread her wings； taken her flight and left
him comfortless。 The cloud of despair； black as the Egyptian midnight；
settles down upon him。 He wishes that he was dead。 I can never forget my
first day in a felon's cell。 Of all my eventful life； into which many dark
days have crowded themselves； my first day in prison was the darkest。
After the 〃soaking season〃 is over； an officer advances to the dungeon；
throws back the bolts； pulls open the door； and； in a harsh manner；
commands the broken…hearted culprit to follow。 He is conducted to an
apartment； takes a bath； and dons the suit of stripes。 Ye angels！ did you
ever behold such a sight？ Is it not a travesty on every thing that is good to
dress a human being in such a suit of clothes。 A striped coat； striped
pataloons； striped shirt； striped cap； in fine everything he wears is striped。
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There is nothing in this world so humiliates a person as being compelled
to wear these stripes。 No language can describe the feelings of horror that
took hold upon me the first time I saw myself arrayed in these emblems of
disgrace。 I passed through all the fiery ordeal of trial； sentence； reception
cell； undaunted； but when I made my first toilet in the penitentiary； I must
admit； I was 〃knocked out。〃 Then I felt keenly the sting of disgrace。 The
prisoner is next introduced to a convict barber； who shaves him and 〃clips〃
his hair。 By the time the barber gets through with his part of the
programme； the prisoner has but little hair either on his face or head。 The
prison physician examines him and it is decided where he is to work。 He is
next shown the cell he is to occupy； and later on his place of work。 Over
his cell is placed his name and number。 He now enters upon that
indescribable； desolate； and dreary life of a convict。
THE TREATMENT OF THE PRISONERS
The inmates of the Missouri penitentiary are well clothed。 In this
respect； this prison has no rival。 All the prisoners presented the appearance
of being cleanly； so far as their clothing is concerned。 All are dressed in
stripes。 None are exempt。 Here are nearly two thousand men on an
equality。 None of them can look down upon others； and say； I am more
nicely dressed than you。 I never saw a convict dude in the entire lot。 The
prisoners are well fed。 For breakfast； the bill of fare consists of bread；
coffee； without milk or sugar； and hash。 There is no change of this bill of
fare。 If the prisoner has been there for ten years； if not in the hospital； he
has feasted upon hash every morning。 Boiled meat； corn bread； potatoes
and water make up the dinner； and for supper the convict has bread；
molasses and coffee。 The principal objection to this diet is its monotony。
Whenever a change of diet becomes a strict necessity； the prisoner is
permitted to take a few meals in the hospital dining…room。 Here he
receives a first…class meal。 This is a capital idea。 A great deal of sickness is
prevented by thus pe
