Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-04-16


PRISON REFoRM-A bill has been intrOduc-
ed in the state Senate by l.. d. Campbell Esq,
which has drawn attention, and commanded
the approval Of many of The leading minds of
the state, for its humanity and justice. Its Oh
iect is reform OF the penal system and to lead
the erring from hopeless degradation by
treatment that will, instead of crushing out
scllrcspcct in the offender against Justice,
serve to lead him to reformation, and an en-
daavOr to regain lost position in society, and
IA return to rcctitudc and the paths of virtue
and usefulness 1t is suggested by the fact
that large proportion of the convics of the
state are young men, in whom term in the
pcnitentiary usually eXtinguishes sclf-respect,
and bcgcts confirmed habits of vice and crime.
In most of these cases, reform agencies may
be brought successfully to bear, if there are
any means of such character within reach.
A wise philanthropy demands at least an ef-
fort, and even though a portion of this class
are rescued, the good results to them would
seem to warrant the trial to bring it about
The chief object of all prison systems should
| be the reformation of the criminals. In this
way society is protected, not alone during the
time of convict's inability to commit crime
by reason of his confinement but during his
! life. BY proper system Of instruction and
discipline under educational and moral innucn-
ces, he is transformed from dangerous into
useful member of society. Under the present
system the convict leaves the prison II morally
weaker man and hence more dangerous man
to society than before is incarceration. His
capacities for crime have been increased so
that the state is in reality providing an nst-
tuition in which the less vicious are constantly
under the tuition and instruction of the most
hardened and abandoned criminals The first
step in the work ofrelormation is classification
according to age and grade of crime. This
work can be the most eliectually done by the
Warden of the institution, under whose eye
the prisoner develops his true character and
shows whether he is the victim of misfortune
or constirutionally vicious and depraved. Az
ter systematic classification is secured, every
motive and principle by which human nature
is influenced should be appealed TO, to work a
reformation in the criminal. Good conduct
should shorten his sentence. Every principle
ald boon short Of absolute liberty should
be made possible fol the r.soner to attain
Better cells, better food, the privilege Of earn.
ing and spending money, of convcrsing at
proper times with officers and fellow prisoners,
Of having access to books and papers, and
such other recognition and rewards of good
conduct AS would naturally suggest themselves
to the judgment of the Warden. The convict
should be taught habits of self reliance and
becoming selfrespest. He should be thorough
! ly instructed in some useful trade, and when
his term of confinement expires, should be
provided with cirifcate of proficiency and
skill. Turning men out without means, ard
without knowledge Of any trade in which
they can secure employment, renders the COM
mission of II new crime quite probable. Can
these reforms be brought about by the enlarge
ment of the present penitentiary or should an
Intermediate Prison be established? Senator
l.. ID. CAMPBELL believes that another institu-
ton is needed, and he has accordingly prepar-
el, with much labor and research, u bill To
estabiish LJu@ Of Discipiiae. The govern
ment of the House of Dscipllneis is to be vested
in board of three directors appointed by the
| Governor. The institution should be located a,
that point where in the Judgment of the di-
rectors the greatest inducements are offered
and the greatest advantages are combined
When the building is completed under
the superintendence of the board of di-
rectors, the Governor shall transfer to the
House Of Discipline from the Peniteutiary sucl
of the prisoners as by good conduct, obedience
and industry, have merited mitigation of the
severity of their punishment. The Courts are
also in this bill authorized to sentence crimi
mails to the Penilentiary or to the House o
Discipline as the previous character of III,
prisoner, the circumstances connected with hi,
oiiense or the probabilities of his reformation
may seem to warrant. Authority is given fol
the transfer by the Governor from this institu
tion to the Penitcntiary of prisoners who man
iitst an incorrigiby vicious disposition The
most ample provisions are made for the mora
and intellectual training of the inmates and
complete and comprehensive system of classi
hcatOn is laid down In the bill. The system
of rewards and punlshments seem 10 be wei
conceived The general features of this plar
OF reform command hearty commentator. /
Is an important step In the direction of prop
or prison system
As a comment on the current talk In regarC
to an Indian massacre, Grace Greenwood put