e
how miserable a prisoner may be rendered in one of these cells when
three occupants of the same cell combine against him. The large cells
are a source of great annoyance to prison officials, and are now, after
trial, universally condemned. The small cells are about four feet wide,
seven feet long, and seven feet high. The doors are very low, and the
prisoner has to stoop as he enters. The low door gives to the cell a
more gloomy appearance than it would possess if the entrance was higher.
On going into one of these cells one has the same feeling as takes hold
of him when he crawls into a low, dark hole in the ground. The cells are
constructed of stone, with wooden floors. The cells of the Kansas and
other penitentiaries are higher and better ventilated. The furniture of
the cell consists of an iron rack, on which is placed a straw bed with
sufficient covering to keep the convict warm. There are also a bucket,
wash-basin and towel. The prisoner washes himself in the cell. He also
has a chair to sit on and a Holy Bible to read. This is about all the
furniture to be found in the cells. Occasionally a carpet covers the
floor, but the prisoner furnishes this out of his own means. If he has
no means he has no carpet. I was much surprised to learn that there was
no way provided for the convicts to take a plunge bath, and that many of
them became very filthy because of their not being compelled to bathe
at stated times. Other penitentiaries are supplied with bath-houses, and
once each week the inmates are required to take a bath. This certainly
is conducive to good health. The cell-houses are lighted by electric
lights, and each cell is provided with a lamp. Thus the prisoner has an
opportunity of reading during the evenings, which is a great blessing,
and should be highly appreciated.

The prison is supplied with a large library of choice books to which the
inmates have access. They also are allowed to read daily newspapers, if
they have money with which to purchase them. The managing officials of
the Kansas penitentiary are possessed of a very foolish notion in
regard to the reading of daily newspapers. They will not under any
circumstances allow a prisoner to take his home paper, or have access to
any political daily. They claim that it excites the prisoner and makes
his imprisonment more difficult to bear when he knows what is going on
in the outside world. It seems that this custom smacks of barbarism,
and the prison dir