EXERTION MONEY

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 70, 14 January 1882, Page 280

EXERTION MONEY

Perhaps the most important and interesting objects in this room are the Gazette Regulations relating to what is called " Exertion Money," or rewards for good- eondnet— a kind of discipline peculiar to this gaol— and the accompanying table which records the number of marks credited daily against each prisoner's name. The amount of exertion money for quarrymen, spaullers, stonebreakers, stone-cutters, blacksmiths, carpenters, shoemakers, and clerks, ranges from 6d to Is a day. At stone-breaking some very smart men have earned as much as 5s a week, and many prisoners have received as much as £20 at the termination of sentences. A hard labour man must have completed one-sixth of his time before ho becomes eligible for this exertion money. If a prisoner is earning this reward and is three montl is' clear of' the defaulter's book, in which breaches of prison discipline are recorded, he may expend a portion of his exertion money for his family, or in purchasing such articles as are allowed by the regulations, but any breaches of these regulations involves suspension of exertion money for a month, and liability to forfeiture of the whole or a portion of the money already standing to the jH'isoner's credit. As already stated, a carefully kept record is posted up shewing the daily earnings of each prisoner, based on a system of marks, the maximum daily number being 8, and the minimum 6. Looking down a long list of names, I find that only two have failed to register the maximum number, and their daily marks are 7. The marks also secure remission of sentence. One rule says " That the scale of marks shall be eight marks per day for steady hard labour, and the full performance of the allotted task ; seven marks per day for the least degree of industry ; and six marks per day for a fail", but moderate day's work." Each prisoner in this department has a certain number of marks, amounting to tens of thousands in the case of long sentence men, which number represents the maximum he can possibly earn at 8 per day. If he can earn 8 marks per day throughout (Sundays, of course, executed), lie will secure a remission of one-fourth of the period of sentence, but he must pass Lui'oncfh a probationary period of three months with industry and good conduct. I can conceive oi no system more so^idavy as an incentive to good conduct and industry, and as a guarantee for the continuance of good behaviour when once it is -begun. Indeed, I find from an inspection of the prison records that this system of discipline has a reformatory effect winch, in a good many cases, has been permanent, and converted into good citizens many men who had been tempted into paths of crime. I am not one of those who would give a man the cold shoulder simply because he has once fallen, if he exhibits a really earnest desire, by his course of life, to regain his position in society. I have seen some of the strongest yield to momentary temptation in my time. " How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds Makes ill deeds done." It is only the Pharisee who thanks Grod that he is not as . other men arc ; who fasts and pays tithes of mint, and anise, and cumin ; makes clean the outside of the cup and platter ; but devours the widow's house, and for a pretence makes long prayers. There are many men going about in broadcloth and fine linen who have never seen the inside of a gaol, and yet ought to go there and never again see the outside. " The jury passing on the prisoner's life, May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try." But let us get on -with our inspection. The cata-

logue of the prison library, written out in a clerkly hand, is posted up near the door. It contains the titles of some hundreds of books, in which, I am glad to say, there are many excellent works of fiction, history, travel, and a fair sprinkling of harder reading" for those who like it. Dickens, Scott, and even Ouida appear to be among the favourites in the light reading. " I suppose the prisoners get enough of religion on the Sunday to last them for the rest of the week. After all, there are amenities even to a prison life. " Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor wooden walls a cage."