Volume 142, Page 1925 View pdf image (33K) |
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514 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Mar. 17, females who have had the misfortune to lead an evil life, and who wish to abandon their vicious course and reform. Persons are to be received without distinction of creed, age, or place of birth or residence. "Article 5th. This institution shall be under the charge of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd," an association of ladies who devote themselves, their time, and all their means exclusively to the care, instruction and reformation of that otherwise friendless class of unfortunates. The ladies of this community conduct the establishment without receiving any pecuniary compensation for their ser- vices, solely through motives of charity and benevolence. It may be proper to state that similar institutions have been in successful operation for a number of years in the cities of Louisville, Philadelphia, St. Louis, New Orleans, New York, Cincinnati and Buffalo. In most, if not all of these cities, the States wherein they are located contribute liberally to their maintenance. In Louisville—the parent house—the State pays forty cents for adults and thirty cents for junior inmates per day. In Cincinnati the control of the female prison is committed entirely to the manage- ment of a similar community of ladies, with a result most satisfactory to the friends of humanity, and economical to the State Treasury. A kind and strict discipline is enforced without resort to harsh or painful treatment of the inmates. They are not subjected to the observation of visitors, and the names of individuals are not disclosed even to the members of the community. Everything is done to gain the confidence of these unfortunate creatures, and with such success that in a short time after their entrance into the institution they generally conform to the regulations of the house with docility and affection. The rule requires all to be indus- triously employed, and every one is instructed in some fit- ting trade or occupation to qualify her to earn an honest livelihood on her departure from the institution. This House of the Good Shepherd was opened in August, 1864. Since that time one hundred and ninety-eight women and girls have been admitted to the benefits of the institution. At present seventy-four are actually residing in the House. These are divided into three separate classes. The " Magdalenes," who, having shown for a long period of time evidence of entire reformation, are permitted to remain permanently in the House. The " Penitents," who are retained for a longer or shorter period of time, according to circumstances, and afterwards returned to their friends, or provided with safe homes. |
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Volume 142, Page 1925 View pdf image (33K) |
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