The Portland daily press., 1869-10-05

12S7S ,-------
s.r Prison Reform.
If as seems natural, the moral progress of
the human race is measured by the degree to
which it is emancipated from selfshness, and
developes its benevolent impulses, the pres
that has preceded it. Never before have so
many enterprises been set on foot which indi-
cate an active and well directed benevolence
on the part both of individuals and associa-
tlons. There is scarcely any form OF sunef-
ing for which relief has not been attempted
Conspicuous among the instances OF modern
prooress is the reform which is taking place in
the mode of treating criminals. The humane
purpose of reforming the criminal has, it 10
true, held place In every enlightened theory
ofpunshment. But 1t has been reserved for
this age to make systematic and intelligent
efforts toward reducing this theory to prac-
tice. Mankind arc fairly waking up to the
idea that it is not only more humane but
more economical to reclaim by conciliation
and kindness, those who have become its en-
enies than by unfeeling treatment 10 drive
them yet deeper into crime.
instruction both secular and religious ha,
done much to impress upon the minds of the
condemned, sentiments that will induce them
when released from confinement to lead vir-
tuous life. But all these are liable to be lost
unless some employment can be provided
which shall occupy the hands and the
thoughts Scarcely anything is more demor-
alizing or more calculated to nourish misan-
tpropic and vicious inclinations than solitary
idleness. The human mind was not made to
be blank, and will most certainly have posi-
tive inclinations either for good or evil. With
criminals the passions of the latter class have
begun strongly to assert themselves, and 1t Is
only by inducing healthful mental and phys
ical activity that their further development
can be prevented. There is an inspiration in
industry as healthful for the moral as it Is for
the physical nature. ..,.
No less than seventy-seven per cent of the
convicts in the States Prisons throughout the
United States had not learned trade. This
shows in clear light the conviction between
idleness and crime and fully vindicates the
claim of industry to be considered as one OF
the means Of reformation.
One of the cardinal aims in our own State
Prison, which the New York Prison Associa-
ton pronounces ''in some respects a model
institution" is to "impart complete trade to
every convict who has the ability for Its ac-
QUESTION, and whose term of sentence is long
enough to enable him to acquire it," The
same is in greater or less degree true of all
OF our State Prisons which have adopted ad-
vanced principles on this subject. In no case
have the results been otherwise than hvora-
bic, particularly where the contract system
has been abolished. When judiciously man
aged the labor of the convicts can be made to
ply all the expenses Of the prison and leave
surplus. tlI.l..tl. E.,.-..... .l,...
For various reasons, chiefly because of the
shortness of the sentences, 1t is more difficult
to carry the same system into our county
jails. Yet the same reasons which make it
SO important to keep the convicts in our State
prisons employed, apply only less forcibly to
the jails. There are in our county Jail twen-
ty-ive convicts under sentence; thirteen are
sentenced for only thirty days. In one case
the term OF confinement on several indict- |
ments Is about two years and half. The |
others are in for various periods from two to
eleven months The labor of these men Is
now lost to the community, and, what Is
much more important, is worse than lost to
themselves. The gloomy and morose thoughts
to which they are left a prey will have ten
dency 10 make worse those who are bad, and |
to ralax the principles of those who have
some character still remaining. Is there not
some employment that could be provided for
them which would not require greater degree
of skill than the duration of their con-
fnement would enable them to acquire? II
would require some additional outlay and
might not prove dieectly remuneratiye. But /
this ought not to be conclusive against the |
undertaking. There is no common standard
by which we can estimate the comparative
worth of dollars and men. The State can even
afford to pay something to reform the vicious
and make them upright citizens. Their in
creased value to society is an ample compen-
s,tion. 5000 g .+ rh dh 'H
Society cannot afford to leave those who
have taken one false step, to go further in re-
cruiting the criminal population. One fact
deserves special notice; whenever reformatory
influences are brought to bear upon the pris-
oners, the number of recommitted is inyari-
ably diminished. 1t should always be kept in
mind that to reform the convicts is the main
thing. To make profit from their labor is
altogether secondary consideration. A Ger
tain percentage of what is received from their |
labor should be invested in alibrary and news |
papers. While this would stimulate their ex- |
ertions, it would provide permanent source |
of intellectual and moral culture. In Con-
necticut convicts in the jails are employed in
systematic labor. The aggregate earnings in
the six jails thus managed, amounted in 1857 |
to 1884. The earnings per capita ranged |
from )$106 the highest to $2,-the average be-
ing $22. .tI a,ir .,l toe.l.IsI'.
Did space permit much more might be said |
on this subject without exhausting it. 1t is
sufficient for the present, however, to have
called attention to the subject. .a .ilil
Later developments leave matters looking
very bad for somebody in Washingto. m re-
gard to the gold gambling snh.aie which crea-