WORMWOOD SCRUBS FROM THE INSIDE
WITHIN the last six months the authorities at Wormwood Scrubs Prison have made a special attempt to treat prisoners as rational beings, and not as automatons. It may be said that no prisoner is rational otherwise he would not find himself in prison. But then, who of us is rational at all times ? That the action of the authorities is a step in the right direction is amply borne out, not only by the gratitude of the prisoners themselves, but by the gratifying results.
Many of the accounts of what is going on at Wormwood Scrubs have been quite misleading. It is a pity that the endeavours of a body of men within the Prison Depart- ment of the Home Office who have wholly at heart the reclamation of their fellow-citizens should be misunderstood or misrepresented. What is the new scheme ? The first offender is now kept apart from the old "lag." He is saved from the contact which has brought to a criminal end many a man the like of whom is to-day made once more a respectable member of society. Too much stress cannot be laid on this fact, for the man who has served his first sentence, has behaved himself while serving, and has come away with a "clean sheet" has the right to be given another chance in life.
First and foremost under the new method an appeal is made to the higher instincts, and it is no exaggeration to say that this appeal is being responded to by the majority of the first offenders at Wormwood Scrubs.
The keynote of the system is Honour. Wherever it is possible a man is placed on his honour. Honour not to try to escape ; honour not to abuse the privileges granted ; and honour among his. fellow-prisoners. Hard work is, considered necc-ssary for the drilling and moulding of the mind and body, and from six-thirty in the morning until nearly nine o'clock at night a man's time is taken up with work, exercise, play and education.
Most readers will know, from hearsay and reading, the el4ss of manual work performed by prisoners, such as mail-bag making, basket making, brush making, boot making, tailoring aud the like. It is therefore enough to say on this subject that no Mali is forced to, do more than an adequate_ day's work, and that every effort is made to fit in the work with the man's abilities. It is the' new educational plans that. I want to describe. The greatest credit must be given to those in authority for the admirable way in which the curriculum has been planned.
From seven o'clock until about nine o'clock every evening educational classes are being held, one of Which every man has a right to attend if he so wishes and is a suitable candidate. Even the man who is undergoing sentence of a month or less is provided for. He can join the Civic class at which is taught the art of how to become a worthy. citizen. For those with longer sentences there is a wide range of choice, such as how to sole and heel shoes, make furniture, weave Mats, keep bees, knit socks and do various other kinds of handicrafts. A-ninch higher standard is set than is usual, and It is' this higher standard_ Which is proving to the authorities that their endeavours- to increase efficiency are indeed worth while. Shorthand, never before taught in any British prison, is becoming popular it Wormwood Scrubs, and although as a begin- ning it is only possible to help those whoknow the systein to keep up their speed, it is hoped in the very near future to obtain the services of a competent teacher. French is another subject which is very popular, and here let it be" known that not only can a man learn French from the beginning, but, if he is at all proficient and has any know- ledge of conversational French, there is a special class set' aside for him at which he can not only converse, but is able to read well-known authors. There is a wide choice of books, not only in the Prison Library, but- also in a special Library kept by the Prisoners' Educational 'Corn-' mittee. Once a week there is a clasS for German, and; if: the occasion demanded it, both Spanish 'and Italian classes' would be formed.
There are no less than five literaricia&es; at the head Of which are first-class teachers capable of expounding. prose, poetry and drama. These classes are never dull; in proof of which it may be mentioned that thete is always a waiting hit. 'Budding Thespians. anm as high as Hainkt. or The Tempest when they are not satisfied viith Abraham Lincoln or Dear Brutus. The lover of 'poetry can have explained to him the intricacies, delicacies and pro- fundities of the greatest of poks. " noratiirs," "The' Revenge," and "The Burial of Sir John Moore," I may mention as favourites at Wormwodd Scrubs. Who WOuld dare to say that a man's life is not likely to be better for. such influences ? Here mention must be Made of the Debating Class, for no More interesting, popular or in-: structive class exists at the prison. Every member has a' chance of learning how to speak in public on various' subjects, and the standard reached seems amazing when' it is taken into consideration that there is no picking of special members for this class.' There is also a Class for' teaching the art of letter-writing.
Now to turn to physical exereise, though it is impos- sible to do away inunediately.with the monotonous old system of walking round 'and round an oval-shaped asphalte path in Indian file, this has been abolished wher- ever feasible. Physical " jerks " have been instituted for those capable of performing the exercises, while on certain evenings in the week there are gymnastic classes. The instructors of these classes deserve high praise and the pupils are enthusiastic. Human pyramid building, work on the parallel bars, horizontal bar, the " horse" and the " ladder " always call forth rounds of applause when performances are given before the other inmates of the prison. Without a doubt the average man who leaves Wormwood Scrubs is a hundred per cent, more fit physically and mentally than when he went there.
(To be concltuied:1 "
Previous page
