New-York tribune., 1872-09-24
PRISON REFORM.

Dr. Harris, the Secretary of the New-York
Prison Association has Just returned from of in
spection of 95 jas and four penentarie In all OF which
he reports the work OF the society to be going forward as
well as If not better than was anticipated The principal
object OF his VISIT which will be extended TO all the
prisons of the State the introduction OF system
by means of which convicts whose terms OF service
have expired can be humanely provided for and pre-
vented from returning to their old haunts and crimes.
method of dsposng OF discharged criminals
wholly failed TO accomplish this result The prisoner
who had served term in any of the pententiares was
simply allowed to depart with small sum OF money for
his immediate needs In 10 out Of 49, the Secretary
states the offender would resort to some species Of
crime and return to prison for second and longer term
with the chance Of his reformation proportonately di-
mnished. In youthful criminals, or first offenders,
shame prevented them from returning to the scenes OF
their disgrace and leading the lives OF honest useful
citizens To reclaim these two classes OF criminals the
main efforts the Association have been devoted With
the Few system being put in operation by the secre-
tary better result promised than has yet rewarded
its labors.
The report Of the society shows that, from the sixty
als and pententares OF this State there are
discharged average 200 prisoners each month To
restore these criminals to useful citizenship and relieve
society from their depredatons, DR.. Harris has esta6-
ished cooperative labor bureau, with local societies in
the different counties. 1t is designed 10 have OF
to be accomplished by this system is to furnish employ
ment to the exconvcts fast they discharged
in localities removed from their former associations aud
where their crimes unknown SO far he has estab-
lished ftyeght Of these local societies, whose opera
tODs he reports to be highly encouraging The officers
Of the societies have free TO each prisoner one
month previous to his discharge, when he Is made
Quainted with their designs for his good and easily
over the scheme On the discharge OF convict his
situation is secured and his transportation especially
overlooked by the officers OF the society The
system is operated that there Is no dis
propOrtlonate influx OF discharged convicts In any
county. The criminal has every influence thrown around
him by the society in his home TO lead him to
treve the past while those about him, with the excep
ton of his employer ignorant OF his former life.
While he Is thus prevented from returning to life Of
crime he is no longer regarded 0ucast, but has
every facility for becoming useful and honest member
OF society The Secretary reports between 400 aud 800
men OF this who have already received the benefit
of the system and that the number Ia rapidly In
creasng He states that the general condition OF the
prisons throughout the State much better than for
merly and the prisoners IN healthy condition. The
Association finds its chief obstacle in want of general
interest in the subject OF prison reform and principally
want OF sympathy from prison Keepers in carrying out
its designs.