The Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy, January 1862

"The Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy, January 1862" by the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons, is a record that details attempts to improve the prison system and reflects the views about prisoners in the mid-1800s. The yearly journal shares the society's path in altering how the penal system worked, offering a look into prison conditions and societal views towards inmates. It emphasizes the creation and consequences of prison rules created to support kind treatment and prisoner rehabilitation. The journal details a change from a quarterly to annual publication, stressing the importance of the adaptation of the journal. It starts with the society's backstory, covering its roots, basic kindness principles, and early successful changes driven by community leaders, shining light on historical prison abuses, the need to separate prisoners, and a push for kinder treatment, revealing the group’s dedication to defend prison reform.