NAVAL PRISON,

PARRIS ISLAND,

SOUTH CAROLINA.

ORDERS FOR PRISON

GUARDS / SENTINELS.

Circa 1919

PLEASE NOTE:  We love acquiring decades' old bank drafts, billheads, correspondence, stock certificates, brochures and other paper memorabilia - - as they afford us an opportunity to look back in time and experience some of what was occurring long ago.  You might enjoy acquiring this item for your own collection!

TYPE OF SCRIPOPHILY, EXONUMIA, NOTAPHILY꞉  Booklet for prison guards / sentinels at Paris / Parris Island, South Carolina.
RARITY:  Extremely rare due to limited print runs and restricted distribution to the prison staff at Paris / Parris Island.
FACILITY NAME꞉   Naval Prison.
CITY, COUNTY & STATE꞉  Parris Island (Beaufort) South Carolina.
FORM PRINTED BY꞉  Unknown.
DATE PRINTED꞉  Believed to have been printed between 1911 and 1919 (please see the dating information below).  We were perplexed at the “improper” spelling of “Paris Island” on one of the brochures we acquired (both appear to be from the same time period as the rules / guidelines are almost identical).  This listing is for ONE of those booklets - - - the booklet shown in this listing's photographs).  
TYPE OF DOCUMENT꞉  Booklet outlining how to oversee inmates / prisoners, when it was acceptable to shoot to kill, what to do if an inmate attempted escape, how to march prisoners so they are never out of sight, what to do in the event of a fire, etc.
GENERAL COLOR(S)꞉  Light-blue cover with black ink.
MEASUREMENTS꞉  3¼: x 5”.
NUMBER OF PAGES:  4.
EMBOSSING꞉  None.
TAXATION/REVENUE/OTHER STAMPS꞉  None.
WATERMARKS ON PAPER꞉  None.
HOLES, TEARS, DAMAGE꞉  Slight browning of pages due to a century's worth of age.  Minor cover damage due to the paper drying out.  Staple holding the booklet together shows surface rust due to age.  Pages and covers are brittle from over 100-years of age.

ABOUT DATING THE BOOKLET:  The Port Royal Naval Station was transferred to the Marine Corps on October 25, 1915, and was renamed Marine Barracks, Port Royal. However, the Port Royal mailing address resulted in confusion between the base and the nearby town of Port Royal. The Marines accepted the designation Marine Barracks, Paris (spelled with one “r”) Island. In 1919 the Marine Corps clarified that the colonel’s name was spelled with two r’s, and the correct spelling, Parris, was adopted.  Inasmuch, we believe the booklet (along with another one we acquired at the same time) was printed prior to the base's spelling being corrected in 1919.  Inasmuch, we believe this booklet was printed between 1911 and 1919.

ADDITIONAL NOTES꞉  We were truly stunned to have acquired such an unusual piece of military prison history!  What an oddity this is!

ABOUT THE ITEM꞉  This booklet was issued to prison guards / sentinels working at the military prison located at Paris / Parris Island, South Carolina and contained the abbreviated guidelines on how to oversee and maintain the inmates.

ABOUT THE PRISON꞉  Following the 1911 closing of the officers' school and recruit program, Parris Island’s naval prison was opened on the base. On Aug. 28, 1911, the designation of "U. S. Naval Station, Port Royal" was changed to "U. S. Disciplinary Barracks, Port Royal." Buildings used by the Marines were transferred to the Navy, and although the disciplinary barracks was commanded by a Marine officer and Marines served as guards, they were administratively under the direct command of the Navy. No Marine command per se existed for Parris Island from Aug. 30, 1911 to October 1915.

The prison emphasized rehabilitation rather than punishment. Prisoners were allowed to dress in regular service uniforms and much of a prisoner's time was spent in drill and other military-related activities. The prisoners who were confined on Parris Island were usually general court martial recipients who were sentenced to no more than three years confinement for non-violent crimes.

In 1915, the disciplinary barracks would be absorbed into the Marine barracks but would continue to function until 1933.

SHIPPING COST꞉  Your shipping cost is calculated when checking out.  To keep your shipping cost as low as possible, it's based on “DIM” (i.e. weight, package size and final destination).  This item ships by United States First Class Mail or eBay International Delivery.  Orders typically ship within one business day of your payment being received.

This item will be mailed in a large envelope, box, cardboard tube or cardboard “sandwich” to minimize folding in transit.  We DO NOT take historical documents / brochures and refold them just to save on postage costs.