Behind the prison bars

There are in almost every prison those who are called “trusties”—prisoners who are given the privilege of doing work outside of the prison, going on errands, etc., without the presence of a guard. Others have unusual liberties within the prison walls. Life prisoners and those who have received a sentence for a number of years and have not yet made up their minds to reform, often give the officials considerable trouble in trying to make their escape; although, as a general thing, life prisoners are well-behaved persons. There have been some noted and desperate efforts made to escape prison. Desperate characters have used all their ingenuity in devising plans for an escape and watch an opportunity to raise an insurrection at a critical time. There have been times when the insurrection was so great as to defy the prison officials, and the disturbance could only be quelled by the daring boldness and wisdom of the warden or general officer in charge. When a number of desperate prisoners get such an advantage they will fearlessly face death rather than yield. A few such noted instances are on record. It is, however, very difficult for a prisoner to make good his escape. If successful he must go under an assumed name and always be a fugitive from justice. If a failure is made he is apt to have to serve his full sentence instead of having advantage of the commutation of “short time.”

Bloodhounds are kept at the present time for the purpose of capturing those who try to make their escape, and there are men behind the prison walls who carry ugly scars made from deep flesh wounds by the bloodhounds during the time of their capture. There are times when a fire breaks out in a prison which must receive immediate attention of all available help. It is at such times that desperate characters undertake to raise an insurrection and make their escape. Many prisoners have been known at such times to show their manhood, and offer their services and manifest their loyalty by aiding the officers in keeping the prisoners in subjection and in extinguishing the flames. Such prisoners should be highly rewarded, and many of them shortly afterward receive their pardon in honor of their loyalty and good principles shown. The prisoner who desires to have favors shown him in prison should, upon first entering, decide to obey the prison rules to the best of his ability. Anything to the contrary will bring the ill favor of the prison officials upon him. An attempt to escape will not be forgotten and he will be very closely watched and denied many privileges which he could have otherwise enjoyed, and is not apt to be made a “trustie.” It is therefore a wise plan to decide upon perfect submission from the beginning of the confinement.