New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-12

Wesleyan University, Ohio
Beside ample time for discussion at each session OF the
Congress- whole day, necessary, two days. are
TO be devoted TO the consideration Of series OF propo
stons In the nature Of declaration OF principles OF
prison discipline.
PLATFORM OF PRISON DISCIPLINE.
The Committee of Arrangements have ap-
pended to their programme declaration of Principles
OF Prison Discipline" to be submitted TO the Congress
for consideration The paper is carefully prepared and
is OF great Importance 1t contains propositions, and
we present 1t in condensed form;
l. Crime IA Intentional violation of duties imposed
by law. Criminals persons convicted OF crime by
competent courts. Punishment is suffering inflicted
the criminal with special view prevent his relapse
a. The punishment Of criminals is for the protection Of
society But since punishment is directed to the crim
nal rather than to the crime Its great object should DC
his reformation. Hence
s. The supreme aim Of prison discipline Is the reforma-
ton OF criminals not the ineton of vindictive suffer
ing.
merit sn6 worked on some well adjusted mark system,
should be established in all prisons of grade above the
s. Hope, being more potent agent than fear should
made force in the minds OF prisoners
ss Soos eonuc more an punish
are In sye sSGd
in his hands. He be put into circumstances
where he will be able through his own exertons to con-
tinuay better his condition regulated sefinterest
T. The two master forces opposed the reform of the
pOntments and instability OF administration. Until
both eliminated, the needed reforms impossible
one to be conded to the first High qualities
and special training required to make good prison
officer Then only will the administration OF public pun
ishment become scientific, uniform, and successful, when
IT raised to the dignity of profession and men are
specially trained for IL they for other pursuits
O. Perempory sentences ought to be replaced by those
Of undetermiste length Sentences limited only by sat- fd
those measured by mere lapse OF time.
TO- or all reformatory agencies religion is 1rst IN I'M
I'M =
heart and life Religion is the only power that s
able to resist the irritation that saps the moral forces Of
these of strong impulses whose neglect OF its teach
ngs has been the occasion ofther being mmred WITHIN
IL Education isa vital force the reformation of fallen
men and women, who have generally slnned through
fore mattel of primary importance in prisons, and
should be carried to the utmost extent consistent WIN
the other purposes Of such institutions
S. the part of the officers hearty desire and nen-
ton to accomplish this object such purpose generally
entertained by prison officers would revoutOnze prison
administration, by changing its whole spirit; and fit re-
formatory process will follow such change as naturally
as harvest follows the sowing
49, To secure the reformation of imprisoned criminals
there must be serious conviction in the minds OF prison
officers that they capable Of being reformed since no
man can heartily maintain discipline at war with his
inward beliefs: no man earnestly strive 10 accom-
psh what in his heart he despairs Of accomplishing
IA system Of prison discipline TO be truly reforma
tory must gain the will OF the convict No system can
hope succeed which does not such harmony
OF wills that the prisoner shall choose for himself what
his officer chooses for him. But to this end the officer
must really choose the good Of the prisoner TINS con-
of wills essential condition or
a bad man never be made good against his will
The interest of society and the interest OF the con-
vcted criminal really Identical, and they should be
made practically At present there Is combat be-
tween crime and law. Each sets the other at defiance,
either side 1t would be otherwise if criminals, con-
vcton, were made the objects OF generous parental
merely sentenced to suffering.
t. The prisoners sefrespect should cultivated to
manhood. There is no greater mistake, in the whole
compass of prison discipline than its studied imposition
ton destroys every better impulse and aspiration III Is
trampng where we ought to raise and is therefore as
IL In prison administration moral forces should be re-
lied upon with little admixtnre Of physical force as
possible organized be made TO take tho
place coercve restraints the object being TO make up
right and industrious teegen rather than orderly and
ers; moral training alone will make good citizens
ment in prisons than has heretofore received Work is
less auxiliary 10 virtue than IL is means OF sup
gent and they will be honest" Labor is the basis Of all
reformatOry discipline. 1t not only aids reformation but
10 The doctrine has been proclaimed that none Of the
skilled mechanic arts to be introduced into prisons
and camor has been raised against the alleged eompe-
ttiOn of prison labor with free labor We denounee both
the doctrine and One clamor the doctrine as ueason,
able because denies right OF humanity not torelteu
by crime, and the clamor as baseess because so
ciety cannot but be benefited by the production OF the
greatest possible amount Of values.
While industrial labor in prisons is thus OF the high
est Importance and utility we regard the contract sys
TEN OF prison labor prejudcial alike TO discipline,
finance and reformation.
All the valuable parts OF lrlSn prison
tem-the initial punitive stage OF separate imprisonment
the reformatOry stage OF progressive and
ura training-are believed TO be as applicable 10 the
United States as 10 Ireland or any other country;
o. Prisons, well prisoners should be CLASSIFIED,
so that there shall prisons the unried prisons for
young criminals, prisons for women prisons Tor INSIDE
meanants, prisons for the incorrigble, &c.
%. 1t is believed that repeated short sentences for
minor criminals worse than useless; that, in fact
nation work Of time, and BENEVOLENT regard to the
good Of the criminal himself as well as the protection
society requires that his sentence be long enough for
reforInatOry processes to take effect
a. Greater use should be made of the social principle
common in our penitentary establishments. The
ton of man, the obligation Of perpetual silence belongs
to the principles against which the sentiments OF the
human race revolt The social principles Of humanity
there is no reason to think that when duly regulated
and fairly applied they will prove otherwise within the
2s Preventive institutions such as public nurseries,
truant homes industrial schools &c. &c. for the recep
ton and treatment Of children not yet criminal but in
danger of becoming So constitute the true field Of prom
Use in which to labor for the repression OF crime
26 More systematic and comprehensive methods should
be adopted to save discharged prisoners from reapsng
into crime by providing them with work, and encour
aging them to redeem their character and regain their
lost position in society. .. I'D.
a. The successful prosecution of crime requires the
do There are two weIdened classes engaged in erin
nal operations who may be called the capitalists and
effective warfare may not be carried against crime by
striking at the capitalists as class than at the operatives
49, Personal liberty being right respectable az the
right OF property, II is the duty OF society 10 INDEMNIFY
ndemnes the citizen from whom 1t has taken his house
or his field for public use.
40 Criminal lunacy is question of vital importance
and facts show that laws regarding insanity in its
relation TO crime need revision In order to bring them
into conformity TO the demands of reason, Justice and
humanity. -
80 While we have desire TO shield the convicted
criminal from the just responsibility OF his misdeeds we
arraign society itself in light degree accountable
for the invasion of its rights the warfare upon its
interests practced upon the criminal classes.
81 The exercise of Executive cleInency in the pardon
.rtutfva xril UnH ia nf
grave importance and at the time Of great deicacy
and difficulty Taking the prisons Of the whole country
an Of 10 per receive Executive
dons The effect OF this free of the pardonng power
Is 10 demOralize the prisoners. The hopes of AL