Warden Cassidy On Prisons And Convicts

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781331665212
Total Pages : 180 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (652 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book Warden Cassidy on Prisons and Convicts written by and published by . This book was released on 2015-07-09 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from Warden Cassidy on Prisons and Convicts: Remarks From Observation and Experience Gained During Thirty-Seven Years Continuous Service in the Administration of the Eastern State Penitentiary, Pennsylvania The Eastern State Penitentiary of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, has perhaps been the subject of more comment than any penal institution in the United States, or indeed in Europe. It was established in 1829. The cause is explained by reason of the method of confinement and the discipline of the system of punishment, which was original with that institution. It is the only one so governed in this country, while several prisons in Europe have adopted the plan, more or less modified. It is unfortunate that misinformation or misconception, and positive ignorance, exists of the methods in practice here, even among otherwise careful and well-informed sociologists. In addition to this, the many inquiries that are constantly made as to the method of applying punitive treatment in this institution is a sufficient apology, if any be needed, for a brief statement of the principles of the administration and their practical application to the treatment of convicts sent to this institution. Positive, practical knowledge of the subject in its various phases is regarded as of some value. Theoretic and general observations, however well presented, often fail to impress the inquirers as effectively as the opinions which experience can best furnish. When the systems of convict punishment, and especially that known as "The Individual Treatment," as applied in the Eastern State Penitentiary, are discussed and explained by competent authority, before those who are expected to be familiar with the questions involved, it necessarily has the merit of authoritative statement subjected to critical examination. It is, therefore, evidence from actual practical knowledge and experience. When it is seen that the remarks contained in the extracts now presented were addressed to those who were engaged in the administration of systems of convict punishment, and also on different occasions, during several years, it adds to their value, because those to whom they were addressed were competent to understand and criticise them. It will be observed from the following pages that there are many subjects directly connected with the imprisonment of criminals that are rarely considered. To indicate the range of these subjects and their importance in the study and decision of punitive systems, as well as the characteristics of convicts and their individual relation to crime and the adaptation of punishment to each person, these pages contain information that is of importance because not accessible in theoretic disquisitions, which are often superficial. It is practical knowledge which long experience makes veritable that will command respect. The extracts from official reports, and discussions at public meetings of men competent to understand the subjects considered, are here reproduced. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.