Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 October 1879 — They Must Talk. [ARTICLE]

They Must Talk.

What is known as the “silent system” in prison management has been severely criticised, but it generally prevails in large establishments. In England the effect of this sort of discipline has not been entirely favorable. The chaplain of a military prison, being much surprised at the general and very earnest responses of the convicts during the services, was told by the officers that v#y few knew or cared what the responses were, but were indulging in them man ly as a recreation. 'The silent system has proved so injurious to general health, that it was strictly enforced on only short-term prisoners. The others were, through necessity, allowed deviations. For sanitary reasons, all were encouraged to respond in the chapel, and they availed themselves of the chance to use their voices as if a great luxury, and all sang vociferously for the same reason. We do not recollect to have before seen a claim that talking is essential to the preservation of health. It Is certainly a curious and suggestive