the twin hells(两个地狱)-第13节
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certain amount of coal each week。 In case the convict fails to mine the task
that has been assigned him he must endure punishment； a description of
which will be given later on。 It is the opinion of the author that something
should be done to remedy this。 The young men from seventeen to twenty；
together with the old men from fifty to sixty； and those suffering from
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diseases； are often required to dig as much coal as middle…aged and able…
bodied men。 I have seen old men marching to their cells after a hard day's
work scarcely able to walk； and many times have I laid in the mines along
with these young boys who would spend hours crying like whipped
children for fear they would be unable to get out their regular task of coal；
and would therefore have to spend the Sabbath in the dungeon； suffering
unspeakable anguish。
Because of the dangers to which the inmate is exposed； because of the
debasing influences by which lie is surrounded； it is wrong； it is WICKED
to work our criminals in such a place as those mines of the Kansas
penitentiary。
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CHAPTER IV
THE PUNISHMENTS OF THE PRISON
The discipline of this institution is of the very highest character； and is
unequaled in any similar institution of the United States。 The officers are
very watchful and strict。 The inmates who work on the surface are not
permitted to converse with each other only within the hearing of an officer；
and then only with regard to matters that pertain to work。 The convict
attends to his duties； observing the strictest silence。 When visitors pass
about the prison the inmate is not permitted to lift up his head to gaze at
them。 Not even is he permitted to take a drink of water or to leave his
place of work for anything without the permission of the officer in charge。
As soon as a criminal enters the prison and is clothed in stripes； a copy of
the rules and regulations is placed in his hands for perusal。 If he cannot
read； an officer reads them to him。 On the first day of his admission the
prisoner receives certain tickets； which are permits for privileges granted
to him。 One of these tickets allows him to have tobacco if he used the
same before coming to the penitentiary； one allows him to receive visits
from his friends； another to write a letter； monthly； to his relatives； and
still another gives him the privilege to draw a book from the library；
weekly。 These privileges are highly appreciated by the prisoners。 For the
first offense in violation of any of the rules and regulations the refractory
prisoner is deprived of his ticket； and in extreme cases these tickets have
been kept from the prisoner for six months。 To deprive the convict of his
tobacco for a month or two； if he uses it； and many do； is a severe
punishment。 This kind of punishment is usually effectual in securing good
discipline。 There are extreme cases； however； that require severer
punishment。 To meet this contingency； dungeons are provided。 As their
name implies； they are dark。 They resemble an ordinary cell with the
exception of the door； which； in the common cell； contains open spaces for
the admission of light； but the dark cell admits neither light nor a
sufficient quantity of air。 There is no furniture in this dark cell。 While
undergoing punishment； if a prisoner desires to rest； he can do so by
reclining on the stone floor。 No refractory prisoner ever grows corpulent
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while confined in these dark cells； as he only receives one meal of bread
and water in twenty…four hours！ The prisoner is often kept in these cells
from eight to ten days。 Sleep is almost impossible。 When a prisoner enters
the dungeon he is required to leave behind him his coat； cap and shoes。
During the winter months it is often very cold in these cells； requiring the
prisoner to walk up and down the dungeon in his stocking feet to prevent
his freezing； and this for a period of ten days； in nearly every instance
compels submission。 After the dark cells thaw out； during the summer
months； they are excessively hot。 Sometimes in winter the temperature is
below zero； and in summer it often rises to one hundred degrees。 They are
then veritable furnaces。 Generally； after the prisoner undergoes the
freezing or baking process for eight or ten days； he is willing to behave
himself in the future。 They are sometimes so reduced and weak when
brought out of the dark cell that they can scarcely walk without aid。 I have
seen them reel to and fro like drunken men。 They are often as pale as death。
That in many cases the prisoner contracts cold which later on terminates
fatally； is one of the principal objections to this mode of punishment。
There is no doubt that the dark cells of the Kansas Hell have hastened the
death of many a poor； friendless convict。 If a person in the mines does not
get out his regular weekly task of coal； on Saturday night he is reported to
the deputy warden by the officer in charge； and is sent to the blind cell
before supper； and is kept there until the following Monday morning；
when he is taken out and sent to his work in the mines。 While in there he
gets only bread and water once in twenty…four hours。 This is a great
inducement to work； it certainly prevents criminals from shirking their
labor； and soon converts a lazy tramp into a rustling coal miner。 There is
one thing； however； that is connected with this system of punishment that I
will criticise。 The officer under whose immediate control the prisoner is
placed fixes the period of his confinement in the dungeon。 It gives the
officer a good opportunity to abuse a prisoner he may dislike。 These
subordinate officers are not all angels。 Some of them are lacking in
sympathy。 They have become hardened； and frequently treat their men like
beasts。 These persons should not possess such a dangerous power。 The
warden or deputy warden should decide the character as well as the period
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of punishment。
If in this dark cell ten days and nights is insufficient to subdue the
rebellious spirit of the convict； he is taken out and placed in the solitary
cell。 This is similar to the ordinary cell； with the exception that it contains
no furniture。 Here the convict remains on bread and water until he is
starved almost to death； or until he is willing to submit and do his work as
ordered。
Another mode of punishment resorted to in a few cases； is even more
brutal than the dark cell。 The obdurate prisoner is stripped naked and tied
to a post。 The hose which is connected with the water…works is turned
upon his naked body。 The water pressure is sixty pounds to the square inch。
As the water strikes the nude body the suffering is intense。 This mode of
punishment is but rarely resorted to。 It is exceedingly wicked and
barbarous。 It is a shame to treat a human being in such a manner。 There are
many hardened criminals and desperate characters in the penitentiary； and
it may sometimes be necessary to resort to extreme measures； but there
have been many instances when； as it seemed to me； these excessive
punishments might have been avoided and still the good discipline of the
prison maintained。 〃Blessed are the merciful； for they shall obtain mercy。〃
But the author would have you recollect that the punishments of the
Kansas penitentiary are not as severe as the discipline in her sister
institutions。 Many of the inmates of this prison who have formerly served
terms in others of lik
