The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-07-20 00:00:00

tie gotowciribgt etserber.

SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1872.

PRISON REFORM.

We have of late years had so many Congresses,
some of them international, that there is a temp-
tation to pay little attention to their delibera-
lions; but the International Prison Congress
has been composed of such earnest and eminent
philanthropiats, and has dealt with such socially
important topics, that the conclusions at which
the Congress arrives command respect and con•
sideration. In proof of this we need but point
out that at this Congress there were representa-
tives from 20 countries; that the several Govern-
ments in most casessent official delegates; that
oar own Government afforded those delegates
ample facilities for visiting our prisons; that
Capt. DuCane, the head of the Convict Depart.
mint, gave the Congress important information;
and that several of our own judges and magis-
Wes assisted in the deliberations.
Even where any particular conclusion arrived
at by this Congress is not novel, its having been
preceded by most careful deliberation gives a
weight to that conclusion which it would not
otherwise possess. Thus when the Congress
decides that the moral regeneration of the pri-
soner should be the primary aim of prison dis-
cipline, a maxim is laid down which has been
long maintained; but this conclusion may be re-
garded as the more statement of the foundation
on whim) the Congress would build its system.
Of this system a progressive classification of
prisoners constitutes a part, and, though difficult
to carry out, it would no doubt be a potent re-
form, of giving to the prisoners the moral influ-
ewes of hope, emulation, and incentives to
amendment. We heartily agree that "all disci-
plinary punishments that inflict unnecessary
pain, or humiliation should be abolished," but
everything turns out "unnecessary." and we
mast guard against a morbid tenderness ha- the
feelings of the criminal class, while guarding
equally against further degradation. "Work,
education, and religion." say the prison refor-
mers, " are the three great forces on which pri-
son administrators should rely." The order in
which these are placed may be contested by some
but all must agree as to their potency in combi-
nation to produce the best effects. Look at the
converse of the proposition. It is the absence
or negation of work, education, and religion
that, with other causes, have led to crime and
punishment, and these three forces, therefore,
may well be exerted in working out reformation
and weakening future inducements to crime.
In one other important conclusion of the
Congress we are disposed to agree in the main,
though we fear there would be great difficult in
carrying it out. "The prisoner on his dis-
charge, It is recommended, " should be system-
atically :aided to obtain employment, and to
return permanently to the ranks of honest and
productive industry." This is perhaps at once
the most imp, tent and the most difficult prob.
lent which pri.„s reformers have to solve. It is
undeniable twat the discharge of persons who
have undergone theiz term of imprisonment, or
before the nominal term has expired, and casting
them adrift on the world again, without means
of hying, with blasted reputations, and with
every man's hand, as it were, against them, has
been a powerful Cause of the relapse into crime.
There are instances of this every day. But then,
systematically to aid these molt to gain employ-
ment is open to the objection that advantages
are given to them over the honest and unconvic-
ted, or non-criminal class, it is here that the
chief difficulty lies, but it is not insuperable.
Convict labour already competes unfairly in

. -
some instances with honest labour outside our
prisons, and to add the competition of ex-convict
labour would be a very dangerous and difficult
eourse upon which to enter. But if any mode
of reconeil ss/ these diffimlties could be adopted
it would be a powerful agent towards the refor-
mation and honest industry of the once convic-
taii; sod it is moreover certain that something