New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-04
TIE PRISON ASSOCIATION.
AN APPEAL PDR AID.

\ Committee of the Prison Association of
Sew York. an organization which has completed its 25th
year present. brief memorial of its labOrs ant Objects
aud asks assistance the community to carry s
benevolent yet economical undertaking. Gov Hoffman,
the W. T. Allen Of Albany the Hon C. j. Folger of
Geneza. the Hon 7. W. Dwight, Dr. Francis leber j.
IL Arthon, and j. D. Wolfe OF this city, constitute the
Comrittee work OF the Prison Association is three
fold Its detention department visits, counses and aids
pcrsons arrested and held for examination trial OF
nearh 100000 eases of the kind visited, fourth Of
the complaints we're examined By the Association and
coo of these in consequence Withdrawn the
Association urging such Withdrawal; and nearly 5000
persons were discharged by the dSurts enda
ton abe Association, where innocence mtsating
circumstances ascertained by Investigation some
instances of this sort are given. boy in hardware
shop stole penkniI $50 in valueedicent to seR him
to the State Prison, punishment which his empi5yer
was DESTROYS have inflicted The Association at eRgth
persuaded the hardware firm 10 take back the youth and
give him another ril 1t resulted in the entire redemp
his character and he holds office OF trdst
and responsibility in a large mercantile house. In
other instano, agent Of the Association, by giving
cury far the appearance OF whose situation
such that arrest would have ruined him. earned graft
tudc that was testified Ia with tears.
Tne discharged comet department reports more than
1900 released prisoners provided with need assistance
constituting p fact, the greater part of the entire
Der o. ,t M, c Ean,,uaI 0oesyth sr GrovieS
gith situations. Not y. per cent OF the 4l for whom
permanent places nave ten sefuGtu nave i1lltn
crmc aud al least 80 per cent have become respect
akle Trustworthy citizens The position OF the dis
charged convict Is that calls for Immediate, practical
sympathy. lie must have empiOyment0r 20 back Ia crime
The Instances given Of these unfortunate persons whom
the prompt action Of the Association has saved from ruin
are touching in the extreme. The anguish OF man thus
liberated repulsed M every turn when he sought work.
and coming at last a. the doors Of the Association starry
ing, yet willing to die thus than again To commit
crime, II painfully depicted. The In life that fol
honest cndeavOT after the rst assistance % the
ISOLATION, is sufficient mcnt the value OF this
noble charity But there IL an economic view The loss
to the community by tine spollatOns of criminals
may he estimated than 5000 per year
for each criminal. The money saved 10 the
by reducing the numbers Of those
who follow criminal occupations IL a practical
economy that enormously exceeds tile working cost OF
the Association. now $4,000 year With more means, 10
Is thought the number OF discharge soners reclaimed
could be dOubled.
We have in this State than penal Institutions
Their thorough examination, reports upon their SYSTEM
mana cement and results, and regular visits OF inspeo
ton 10 them with tie foreign correspondence and scen
thc comparison Of other systems that T. requisite 10
great an undertaking, occupy the " prison discipline de-
partneut' of the Association.
IN sLonld be sufficient 10 state the needs o. np ornn-
zntiol whose D. ior h.urtcCi,, u elicit itllf,
rctpoLsc from q '.srEt q Nc'-4lib a.d L.,Oat e,