File:The official guide book to Philadelphia.. (1876) (14576592098).jpg

Identifier: officialguideboo00west (find matches)
Title: The official guide book to Philadelphia..
Year: 1876 (1870s)
Authors: Westcott, Thompson
Subjects:
Publisher: Philadelphia, Porter and Coates
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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e confined in a cell without companion,and he was to be excluded from all knowledge of the outwardworld. The advocates of this system argued with much forcethat the association of prisoners with each other, not unusualbefore the Pennsylvania plan was suggested, was productive ofevil, and so demoralizing that young oifenders were hardenedin crime, and passed beyond the hope of reformation. Theywere right in their theories, but their plans did not prove tobe successful. Solitary confinement, strictly carried out, wasfound to be productive of insanity in prisoners, and this evilbecame so serious that gradual relaxation of the rules whichgovern the establishment was necessary. The system is stillcalled solitary, but it is not so severe as formerly. On thecontrary, overcrowding beyond the capacity of the prison hasrendered it necessary, in many instances, to put two personsin one cell. The prisoners are taught various handicrafts,work at which they soon find to be a privilege rather than a
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112 PRISONS. punishment. They are allowed to receive letters from andwrite letters to their friends under inspection of the officers.A library of 6000 volumes is open for their use, and severalthousand newspapers are distributed among them annually.Cars of the Green and Coates Streets Passenger Railway goingwest pass the Penitentiary. Tickets of admission are necessary,which may be procured from any inspector, or at the PublicLedger office, Sixth and Chestnut streets. The Philadelphia County or Moyamensing Prison is locatedon Passyunk road near Tenth street, just below Reed street,and comprises a massive square building, in the centre threestories in height, with wings on each side two stories inheight, flanked by heavy octagonal towers, and having beyondthese towers walls which terminate in bastions. The wallsare of Quincy granite, and the building has the appearanceof an invulnerable stronghold, and is of the Tudor style of

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