Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-07-02

| Au"ress I'D the PeOpie OF Delaware.
An Association called The Deia,core Associt-
lion far Criminal Reform has recently been form
cd, and by the direction of the meeting which fl
nally perfected its organization, the following
statement Of the design Of the association has
been prepared.
The object of the association is largely convey
cd by its title "For Criminal Reform" While
having no sympathy with that false philanthropy
or hunianitar:anism which looks upon the con-
Wet as an unfortunate being prosecuted by the
law and only to be tcndery cared for and pro-
tected from its penalties, the friends of this and
similar institutions seek to avoid the opposite
conclusion that he is simply an enemy of society
to be thrust outside the pale of sympathy or hope
of improvement.
While holding strongly the truth that crime is
to be punished, that the criminal must suffer the
penalties of his nfraction of the law, VIC rs clear
~ recognize the duty Of society to make if posi-
bic these penalties ieiormatory as well as puma
tive. The criminal is n person to be made better
as well rs to suffer. We hold that punishment
which shall reform the criminal while it visits his
crime goes far toward n true ideal of the Law. To
reach this, to make the prisons and penal institu-
tions of this State reformatoies, schools OF recla-
nation as well as places of punishment, is there
fore one of the objects of this association
1t is not our design to interfere with the con-
stituted authorities in the management OF prisons,
but under legislative charter and authority to
have the power of entrance and free inspection of
the prisons of this State such us is freely granted
in other states where such associations have been
long established and carefully aided by the power
OF the Commonwealth.
The value of such visitation and inspection by
a body OF men who have made 1t their business
to become acquainted with the best methods of
conducting The workings of PRISONS who are
competent to suggest Improvements, remedies of
detects, appliances; to aid, encourage and stimu-
late thosein charge cannot well be over estimated
This work, TO be done at all, must be made an
announced object and be put In the hands of those
who are willing to assume the responsibility. 1t
lies outside usual drift of public thought or care
Beyond very small number the life Of prisoner
Is wholly unknown-how confined, in what apart.
ments, how fed, how does he sleep, how employ
himself? These are questions which scarcely one
H. thousand would be able to give the Begin
ming of an answer.
To bring into existence body of men and
women interested in prison life, who shall make
1t their business to visit inspect and make them
selves acquainted with the conditions and work.
iings OF these public institutions and who shall
bring practically to bear the knowledge and ex- |
peiiclce lHcy nNNe nculreQIS another OF the de- |
signs OF this Association. Prison discipline has
been reduced to q science its literature makes |
in itself library Wedesire that our State should
avail itself Of knowledge which has become at |
once SO extensive and so useful.
The Association aims at the personal reforms |
ton Of criminals, In his confinement the prisoner
is at once shut out from the moral and religious
appliances which are so easily at hand outside |
the prison walls, and where no such organization |
as that we seek to establish exists Is left to the
prccarious and infrequent sympathy of the very |
few who may happen to think or be willing to |
give time to attend to him. This usually |
amounts to but little The long days of conflnc-
ment are passed without the companionship or |
even presence of the good, with only that of the |
vicious, without books or papers to beguile the
tcdium Of confinement often without employ
ment, left to his own sombre or revengeful re-
Elections, and under the impulse of unframed and
demoralized thoughts the prisoner is free TO med-
tate new schemes of vice 10 be carried into exc
cution on his liberation.
II is next to crime in a community not 10 en- |
deayor to change all this, and to put within
reach of the convict employment educational and
moral influences, and to render the atmosphere
OF his prison not all depressing and poisonous,
but, ii possible, eleyating and purifying.
Inc Second article of our Constitution speaks
OF rendering proper assistance TO persons arroRg-
fully imprisoned.
The cases covered by this clause are Of very
numerous and distressing character; seeking
them ont and helping them constitutes consd-
cradle portion of the work of such societies.
PERSONS are very Often arrested and committed
10 prison on false or malicious accusations, and
after longer or shorter confinement are dis
charged without trial. They have been taken