The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-01-13


as TO discipline, as any cOnVicts in the Prison.
The Inspectors say:
Respecting the relative utility Of the differ
ent modes of the discipline oil this Prison, We
can add but little 10 what has been already ex-
tensively commended in former reports, as well
az bv general public recognition. 50 Tar as the
very limited time that is allowed Us 10 examine
and observe, has permitted, regard them IN
every way as practical, mercful and humane
Testimonies, ample and indsputaDle, IRON all the
authorities OF the Prison, prove beyond doubt
that very desirable results have followed from
making prisoners confinement, 10 certain de-
gree. depend for its duration upon his conduct
so that if it be exemplary the period Is diminish
ed BY the amount of FIVE days for each month
In this connection We most happily coincide with
the views and sentiments OF the Agent, Mr. sea
ton. as expressed upon this question IN his re-
port herewith appended. There certainly can be
no breach of reason or justice in this, for the
reasonable object of punishment is the attain
ment OF certain ends, prominent among which
are the reformation Of the offender, example,
&c &c and it needs no proof TO show that tie
| DnBkfc gOod is best consulted 5V those sustenls
schish are moot efectuai an Jsneftting me Of
fender himself The intense anxiety which all
convicts manifest in relation to their good time
and the earnestness which they exhibit 70 save
every possible day OF IT,, shows that they place
some estimate upon their lite ia society again,
and have not lost their appreciation Of public
opinion"
IS. Proposed Improvements. We have IA
vorable impression of the manner in which the
affairs Of the Prison are conducted by Mr.. Sea
ton, and Of the liberal views Of the present H.
spectors. We believe there is a disposition, on
their part not only to carry out, justly and
properly. the existing order Of things bur to in
troduce new changes for the better. But all
such changes should be carefully considered :
they should be tried ar first, 10 a limited extent,
and then be modified, abandoned or extended,
according az they shall be iouud b-usfcal or
otherwise We are satisfied that this il tie
true policy for public institutions.
The IusDectors evidently feel that changes
NAV be made Tor the better, bnt seem at a loss
10 know hoe they can be Effected. They say
"The classification and separation Of COZ ict-
Of different ages aud degree 81 crime, seems to
be- very desirable object u anu feasible means
could BE- dsy,s,d JoT SO dong. most certainly
seems reasonable tat Some discrimination
should be made ia the administration Of punish
ment towards different classes Oh criminals. 10
i obvious that when aotions oi which the eXfer-
nal consequence may bee ihe same result, some
from innocent 0lJ some from criminal causes,
they should not receive the same trcaimcnt al
the hands OF the laa-iu,- as hc Who under the
sudden impulse 81 al uncontrolled passion accl
deutallv occasions a mans death, should not Te-
ceive the anne treatment as hc vino perpetrates
deliberate and wiul murder. The former may
be man OF good principles az heart he may
j q 4 .
hardly seems lust t. immune han within prison
walls az only the ht companion Of those who
have been the life long associates @ d shway-
men, thieves and robbers That crime and guilt
occur in endless gradatiols. no one denies; but
we believe that some gene ID class fcation might
be made, so that punishment should be severe
Ia proportion to the naughty and iuveteracy Of
the criminal.
No one disputes that tie reformation OF often
ders is the great desderatum OF all punishment
although the protection OF society Is the primary
object. For the purpose OF reformation can vt
have recourse to any better method than the
classification of offenders in safe confinement
with regular labor, under moral and religious in
struction?'
1t is now acknowledged on all sides, that the
" good time law " was a step in the right dTec
ton in advance of all previous legislation. Why.
Because it offered to the convict the stimuou.
of Hope, as well as the goadngs Of Fear
The convict has the offer of lettering hi
condition By his own exertions if he will
Tie is disposed to do so. Why hot extend thai
offer farther? Why not let him improve hi.
condition in regard to food, clo.ling and lodg
ing? We would not dogmatze on things o
which we are imperfecily informed but We
would respectfully suggest to the persons tha
egislate for the State Prison, whether the Agen
might not be instructed TO address a newly ar
rived prisoner after this manner:
"YOu are sent here to labor for five years
You are shoemaker You can earn 500
year outside. The State will give you a room
and materials for work, and you must earn &
cents per day to make the State good for keep
ing YOU. Any failure tie do this will be followed
by punishment. If you earn 50 cents per day
the quality OF your food, which low costs % l..
a@"ts pc ,raak will no dnnhlod Is - -----
dollar day, the amount of 2o cents per day vii
be allowed to you for improving your persona
comforts. All that you earn more than a dollar
will be kept for YOU and delivered to you on de
parting. But while enjoying these privileges, you
must conform willingly, ia esery respect, to th,
Prison rules. If you persisteu,ly violate them
you viii be put into the hands of the contractor
where you must remain. Here il chance for
you to DO well; but, when abused, it viii be
lost to you forever"
Here we propose, what the Inspectors recon-
mend classification, by which the best pris-
oners shall have better privileges than others.
Let each prisoner earn, in the FIST place, enough
to indemnify the State; and secondly, whatever
else he Is disposed to earn for himself But We
propose to give him nothing. In every case, He
WILL EARN, By HIS owN LABOR, ALL THAT He
HAS. We are aware that there would be prac-
teal difficulties in carrying out this plan, as in
deed, there would be in any other; aud it might
need material notifications. The worst class of
criminals might be too degraded to be affected
by the motives presented but we are confident
that great numbers, after their term Of imprison-
ment had been passed in this manner, would be
far more likely to become respectable and decent
citizens, than they would have been, when drag
ged unwillingly to their daily labor, ted on the
coarsest stuff which would keep soul and body
together, and whipped regularly every week of
their confinement
Quarter Master Generals Report