Many interesting letters have been received, showing that what has been done was warmly appreciated, and instances are not wanting where they are leading honest lives, and are willing to admit that the lives they had been leading were dragging them down in ruin and could thankfully say that their incarceration had been a blessing to them, and they had determined with the Lord’s help, to lead better lives.
We have earnest, faithful Christian women members of the committee who visit the women prisoners of the Penitentiary, the County Prisons, and the House of Correction. In this connection I desire to call attention to the efforts which are being made to establish a temporary Home for discharged women prisoners, an institution which has been much needed, where they can remain a short time until they can obtain situations, in the meantime being under Christian influences. There is also the Howard Institution for discharged women prisoners, situated on Popular street, near Sixteenth street, where they have a comfortable home and are taught house-work and laundry, and being expected to stay at least six months, there is hope for reformation for those who desire to lead better lives.
There continues to be an increasing interest in the subject of Penology, very much attributed to the publicity given through the meetings of the National Prison Congress held in various parts of the country. I receive very many letters asking for information and especially from libraries asking for complete files of our “Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy,” speaking of it as a very valuable publication. As our back numbers are now all disposed, and as requests continue to pour in upon us, I would be pleased if any to whom this Journal is sent, have back numbers previous to 1900 which they do not wish to keep, would send to the Secretary Fifth and Chestnut Sts., Phila.; it would enable us to fill orders from libraries.
WORK OF THE SOCIETY AND ITS ACTING COMMITTEE.
The Acting Committee meets monthly when reports are received from the Visiting Committee of the Eastern State Penitentiary, the two County Prisons, House of Correction, “Associated Committee of Women on Police Matrons,” General Secretary and from many of the County Prisons of the State.