The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-01-23
Hol1sea of Correction.

The Rutland Herald criticizes severe.
ly the action of the Legislature on Gov.
Royco's recommendation of Houses Of
Correction, or a Reform School. for iu-
venile offenders. The assumption of the
House Committee in pretending to navo
considered the subject with " diligence
and attention" is shown up in its true
light by the publication of statistics and
opinions, gathered by the editor, from
Judge Pierpoint, Col Harlow (suporin-
tendent of the State Prison), and the
Shcriffs of twelve counties We give
the results in a condensed form.
Judge PERPoiNT thinks it absolute
~ necessary that something of the na-
ture of a House of Correction for youth
should be provided" lie says, "Reasons
and examples might be multiplied indie
fiuitely."
Sheriff EDcEaToN, of Rutland, says
that during the last year he has commit.
ted TO Jail several lads under the age
Of TO-" He is of the opinion that soma
plan other than the present laws should
be adopted for the punishment Of juven.
lie offenders"
The Shcriils of Grand Isle, Orleans,
Washington. Caledonia, Orange, and Ad.
Olson counties bear similar testimony.
The Sheriff of Lamoilc county. who
has been six days in Office, is opposed to
such an institution. The sherffs of Es-
sex and Windham counties are rather
non-committal.
The Sheriff of Franklin County, Mr..
BuRR, writes very explicitly and forcibly.
and gives an interesting illustration of
more weight than any mere abstract ar
gument. OF the 5 commitments du-
ring the last year, 4 were between l6
and ? years of age, and under l6. He
says:
"a case came under my observation
last Spring, which interested me not a
little. A boy, about 2 years of age was
committed for breaking into house, and
stealing about SO in money. Most Of
the money being found in his possession,
his guilt was evident lie was a bright,
active lad, but had frequently been
caught in stealing wood, and other small
articles He said his father used to whip
him to make him steal. House Com.
hittee please take notice. Ed Herald !
lie frequently, while in Jail, told me he
woutaauta 10 tG"s"h2"' y.Ru' nhiS GJJlas;
and he soon learned to read worry we'll
lie also learned to writo very good
hand, and kept his copy book looking
clearly. At the end of about four
months he was discharged, on the ground,
l believe, that he was too young to be
sent to the State Prison. On leaving
the Jail, he expressed regrets that he
should not have another chance TO learn
to read and write"
Col. HARLOW writes
Since my connection with the Prison,
9TH Dec. 1915, we have had 2S4 per.
sous committed here. Six Of the mum
Der, only, were females OF this number,
fifty hare been Jettcceal lG anu 2! years
oil at the time Of commitment and
tWenty-01le acre under 10 gears Of are
qchen imprisoned! At this time ttoo
prisoners are under l6 years of age, and
ni@c are between l6 and 81 years of
age."
Il have thought much of the proprie-
ty of having some place of confinement,
separate from the prison, for the females
and portion of the male convic;s |
am glad to see you moving in the matter. "
- Comment upon such an array of
opinions and statistics, from the higbes
authorities in the case, is unnecessary.