Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-11-24
Prison Discipline.

We are glad that the attention OF legis-
lators and philanthropists is directed to
this subject. 1t is high time that some
thing should de done to do away with the
terrible evils connected with the manage
ment of our prisons and iails. The latter
especially demand immediate action, and,
after the message of our Governor, we
are surprised that no bill has yet been
presented to inaugurate a sensible and
moral system of criminal punishment.
Our legislators spend good deal of
time in passing bills to protect birds,
fishes, etc, and neglect to protect their
poor fallen fellowmen. With the view
of awakening an interest in this subject,
and stir up some of our Legislators, We
copy from the Methodist the following
article:
The National Congress on Penitentiary
and Reformatory Discipline met in Gin
cinnati, on October 18th, and concluded
it's sessions October 21st.
DE- Vince, Secretary of the Nsw York
Prison Association, and who has done the
cause in this State excellent service by
his annual reports and valuable sugRes-
lions, read the first paper, giving gen
eral view of prisons in the United States
Baron Won Holtzendorh, of Berlin, Prus-
ala, contributed paper on prison disci-
pline in Europe. Eminent gentlemen
from England, Ireland, Denmark, France,
Italy and Canada, were expected to be
present, and take an active part in the
proceedings. OF our own couutrymen,
of course were selected those most compe-
| tent to discuss the questions which came
before the Congress. Accompanying the
| most exhaustive programme of topics was
platform of principles, prepared by the
Committee of Arrangements, for the con-
sideration of the Convention. The views
here enunciated in outline, ana the truly
humane spirit with which they are set
| forth, are an indication of the character,
tho obie and the result of the Congress.
| The platform is founded on the right
basis-that of justice, humanity, and
sound morality. 1t holds that the crimi-
nal is worthy of punishment, and the
welfare of society, against which be has
sinned, demands it but reformation j.
one of the objects to be obtained in sd.
ministering discipline, and the infection
of merely vindictive suffering defeats
rather than secure that end. The Grim
inal, which Justly amenable to society fol
his crimes, is a patient afflicted with &
moral disease, which it is the business
of the State to heal. The problem is
what is the remedy, and how and it
what quantity is it to be administered
The suggestions of the Committee for the
solution of this problem are worthy o.
| rha ~
these are 1. A division of prisoners int
three classes-penal, reformatory, and
; probationary, and the cultivation of hope
by rewards of merit-these rewards tc
be extension of privileges and improve
ment of condition. 2. Prison admins
trations should be placed beyond the in
) fuence of politics, and officers for prison,
!, should be well qualified by being
trained in special schools for this pur
pose. They should then be promoted
from subordinate positions, as their faith
, fulness and competency warranted.
The prisoner should receive instruction
moral, intellectual, and industrial-ant
the duration of his sentence determined
by those under whom he is placed to b.
reformed. 4. As little physical force
should be used in discipline as possible
moral agencies should be employed, auf
no attempt made to degrade prisone
by inficting unnecessary pain or humilia
ton, or by clothing him in degraded
dress, etc. 5. Prisons should be graded
in the following order: for the untried
young criminals, women, misdemeanants
male felons, and the incorrigible. G
Social intercourse among the prisoner
should not be interdicted, and prison
should have all the necessary convent
ences for the health and physical com
fort of the inmates.
These, of course, are but a few of tn,
essentials of reformed prison disci
pline; it would be next to an impossi
bility to form a theoretical plan on thi
subject which in its practical application
should be found perfect. Experience vii
point out the changes necessary t,
be made for perfection of the system
There is one fact, however, which mus
, not be lost sight Of in making reform il
prison discipline: The criminal is
free moral agent, who has sinned agains
light and knowledge, and justice re
! quires that he should pay the penalt,
the law ipficts, while at the same tim,
his reformation is attempted. Some o
the principles have already received
trial in this and other countries, and hav,
been found to work well. Count Solo
hub, of Russia, an able prison admins
traitor and humane man, has modelled
8 the penitentiaries of his country on tn,
3 idea that "the isolation of man, the obi
gatien imposed on him of perpetual 81
, lenoe, belongs to the principle agains
which the sentiments of the human rae,
revolt" This, which we may term tn,
social system, is in direct conflict Will