Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-03-08
PRISON DISCIPLINE.

In the recent report Of the Directors
of the Ohio Penitentiary we find tht
correct view Of the much discussed
question Of Prison Discipline, well
stated. The authorship OF this report
we may ascribe, we doubt not, tC
Judge James l.. Bates, President o.
the Board of Directors. After refer
ring to the very favorable financial
condition OF the Institution the re,
port proceeds:
The law governing the Penitentiary
is simple, generous in its provisions,
and, with q few amendments in its
details, will be abundantly sufficient
to enable the Board and officers to &C
complish the great object for which il
was adOpted-the punishment and
reformation Of cOnyicts. We ques-
ton very much the policy Of any
radical changes, for reasons which
will appear in the progress Of this
report.
The purpose Of our Penitentiary is,
as we have said, two fOld-punitive
and reformatOry. Neither car. be
properly neglected or lost sigS Of.
They cannot be accomplished sepa-
rately. Either may be neglected, but
the public can only have the benefit
Of both, by carrying them along to-
gether. The neglect Of either would
be an injury to the convict and pub
lie calamity. There are minds 50 full
Of philanthropy, as to advocate sys-
tenn which would render the Prison a
place Of ease and leisure, and strip
from it every vestige Of terror or
aversion. They would thus deprive
US of much of the protection which
is now afforded by our criminal laws.
A large portion of the human family
are restrained prinei pally by the fear
of punishment. To reach this class,
in the pententiaTy must
be a punishment.
A criminal is sent to the peniten-
tiaTy because he has committed
crime which iustifies his confinement,
and sentenced for a longer or shorter
period, according to the grade or az
gravated nature of his offense. The
public interest requires that, while he
is confined, every reasonable effort
shall be made 70 reform him, and
send him out, at the expiration Of his
sentence, with disposition to dis
u
is neglected, and every man is dis
charged as depraved as when he was
the public derives no bene-
fit from his confinement, except dur
ing its continuance. Punishment
and reformation are, therefore, essen
tial to the safety and well-being Of the
public, are consistent with each other, I
and can only be accomplished to-
yethsr. I..-
Until q very recent period, the peni- |
.entiaries of this country have been
exclusively with reference
10 the punishment Of the eOnviets.
He was compelled to obey by the ex-
.rcise of power and the law OF force. .
and severity were insepa-
able. The convict was forced to .
abOr by the terrOrs OF the lash, and
vas often scOurged to his task, under
he false and cruel idea, that labor
an be made profitable when perform /
ID against the influence Of unwilling
minds, and the passions Of hatred and .
'evenge. This mistaken theory, rem I
Tered necessary all the instruments Of I
'ruelty and torture, which a more en- /
ightened policy has dispensed with, .
IS unjust to the convict, and against .
he pecuniary interests OF the State. I
No good results have followed from .
he use Of instruments of torture.
While smarting and groaning under .
heir effects, men submit; but hatred .
md revenge are in their hearts, and /.
heir duty to themselves and their
to others are banished
rem their minds. This result has
many times been produced, when a
ew Kind words and the exhibition Of 1
christian feeling and Christian SYM 4
,athy, would melt the erroring ones i
o tears.
Discipline is the life Of a prison.
it neither profitable labor
Tor reformation can be secured
Whatever, therefore, is necessary to
good discipline must be re-
Orted to. If personal influence is
ufiicient, nothing further should be
.dopted. II such influence is not
efficient, then punishment is neces-
ary. Such cases often arise, and no
ne has yet been able to secure sub
mission without punishment. The
must obey every lawful and
requirement.. When he
efuses to do so there is a eonhict be-
ween him aud the State. One OF the
ther must yield. If the State yields,
Is power and influence are at an end.
t must therefore, maintain its au-
hOrity, and such punishment as Is
to must be continued until
here is willing submission and the
iselpline is restored.