saan Sa . 
1884.] 661 (Vaux, 
main filled with water, flowing into a sewer, all flushed daily. The moral 
effect of these surroundings of each prisoner cannot be overestimated. 
It was not until 1870 that the knowledge acquired by those directly con- 
nected with the administration of the Eastern State Penitentiary, was so 
thoroughly digested as to justify them in establishing the changes in the 
treatment of the prisoners, and the improvements in the buildings erected 
in 1877, which give to this institution its present. characteristics. It is now 
attracting the close examination of the most enlightened men of America 
and Europe, France is earnestly investigating it, and the Prison Society 
of Paris preéminently leads the exposition of its methods. These changes 
from the original structure of the cells, and the relations of the prison au- 
thorities with the prisoners are best described as radical. Philosophy has 
consummated what philanthropy originated, and experience has developed 
what the founders of the Pennsylvania prison system were not gifted to 
foresee. These men, worthy as they are of the highest commendation, 
began an experiment out of which have been evolved principles of science 
that, now in operation, create new and distinctive duties and responsibili- 
ties between society and its criminals. 
The present system of convict punishment as administered in the Hast- 
ern State Penitentiary can best be described as the individual treatment 
method of applying punishment for crime. It formulates this reform on 
positive philosophic principles. 
The individual commits crime from motives with which the will, char- 
acteristics, inherited traits and training are related, This crime-cause is 
different in each case. The crime is the development of these concurrent 
influences, Society has suffered by the act of this person. It demands 
an expiation in some sort for the premeditated wrong. Security for either 
the rights of property or the rights of persons has been impaired by this 
act. The offender must be punished. It must be an example expressing 
the supremacy of law, the prevention of crime, and the purpose of restor- 
ing the offenders to society, instructed and strengthened, if so be, for good 
citizenship. The offender is convicted for the crime and the court sen- 
tences him to imprisonment. He is thus placed where his punishment 
can be applied. From the conception of the crime, in its commission, at 
the trial, conviction and sentence, the prisoner’s individ uality asserts 
itself. These antecedents crystallize round the individual. His punish- 
ment, to be effective, should therefore be applied to him as an individual. 
Separated from all other prisoners, the means which his case requires can 
be best discovered and best adapted to obtain the result society demands. 
Under these conditions each prisoner is subjected to the discipline. 
Whatever may serve to elevate his moral character and strengthen it, to 
induce reform and inspire better aims in life, are uddressed to his devel- 
oping remorse, Special aptitudes and particular capacities are cultivated. 
Books for instruction and labor for training to industry are regarded as 
essential. A certain sum is allowed, over the cost of maintenance, for the 
prisoner to aid in’ the support of his family, or for himself when he is 
