New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-17

son 80 reclaimed ever ready 10 bestow sympathy, ad
vice, and assistance when required
Another object of the Association is to visit the va
sious pvisons, ascertain the time Of the release Of
prisoners converse with those about 10 regain their
liberty and IL they manifest any disposition to REFORM
20 afford assistance and place them in way of earning
sn honest living and regainng the good opinion of
respectable citizens Many are sent to places in the
country, where their history being unknown they are
enabled to work on without the stigma Of " Jail bird
attaching to their name Discharged prisoners from
as and courts are constantly applying to the Assoea
ton for assistance and those who manifest the slightest
disposition to help themselves, are of sympathy
and assistance from the Association. The money used
by this body for the relief of criminals has been all
raised by voluntary contribution, and therefore the
fund has never been equal 10 the demands made upon
IT, They have fed the starving prisoner, clothed the
naked and relieved the pressing necessities 10 some
extent Of all who have undertbeir but much
more could have been done had the fund been more
ample. The greatest difficulty encountered by the AS
ISOLATION has been in finding situations for released
prisoners and the youthful offenders who have been
snatched from the jaws of q moral death. The one
oense clngs TO them for years and few be found
who are willing to give them even chance to live.
No conoealment is made but the plain truth re-
gardng each offender is told to all who employ them,
or who are requested to do So Asa gencrathing such
application for work met by the reply that no jail
birds are wanted" Few willing to give them even
q trial. and thus the Association often obliged TO
support the would-be honest convict for long time
Could this be changed, and road opened 30 that hay
ing once tasted the bitter fruits Of crme the soowing
sinner could earn honorable name and decent hv-
ing by the sweat of his brow there would be less need
of prisons, magistrates and detective police.
Much good has been done by the Prison Association,
aud in very few instances have those whom they have
assisted BETRAYED their confidence by returning to the
paths of vice. OF the good effect of the advice given
by their agents to convics in prison, the following is
an instance: young lod but just in his teens
sentenced to the Penitentiary for larceny. When
about to be released few weeks since, he was visited
by the agent of the Prison Association, who talked to
him long and earnestly. During several interviews the
boy expressed his sorrow for his crime and desire to
do better Shortly after his release be to the
agent one day bringing with him valuable watch
His story regarding it was that while in gentlenans
room before going TO prison. he had the watch y
ing on the table, and having good opportunity he had
stolen it, The watch had been concealed during his
imprisonment and now be desired to have the Owrer
found and the watch returnedhe could not feel easy
till it was and be going to lead an honest life in
future He further desired the agent to find him a
place to work where no one knew him, and where he
would be taught how to be good. The owner of the
watch was soon found and the boy sent to the country
where he now has good place for the winter This
is but one of many similar instances where stolen prop
erty has been given the agent and the owner found
The cases of Juvenile offenders occupy the greater
share Of the attention of the Association. Not only
criminal offenders, but young prostitutes who are just
entering upon life Of shame, cared for as far as
possible and situations found for those who willing
to accept them. These not sought for how
ever but taken they come before the cOurt-other
Societies for the relief of fallen females left to seek
them in the street. The Association submit yearly
report of their transactions to the Legislature and it is
thought they will be able to show the accomplishment
of greater amount of goodthis year than in any pre-
vious report.