New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-18
PRISON REFORM.
UTILIZING. PENAL LABOR-EvILs OF THE CON
TRACT SYSTEM.

UTILIZING PENAL LABOR-EVfLS OF THE CoN-
TRACT SYSTEM.
measure which is designed to reform the
nresent labor contract system lin sase prisons mas pee
sub mtted TO the Ii legislature In 1877 Board o'
or took charge of the industries and administration Oh
sote nrsons Previously variety OF trades, which had
been unite profitable were carried on IN the PRISONS aI
Sing Sing and Auburn. The new system was adopted III
the hope that less embarrassment aud FISK wouid DE III
Cured by the state but the evils that nave sprung rom
IL have demoralized the prison ADMINISTRATOR WHO
year by year the of penal labor has decreased Inc
total expenditures at Auburn Prison In 1877 were sCo''V
and tho receipts. s7Ol2G 49, leaving balance OF s5 o.
During the past years the expenses OF the stare prisons
have exceeded the earnings by 100000 annually LUIS
result due TO corrupt administration ana 10 lno III
herent defects of the syetem Dishonest otcnls navs
given the pena labor under their charge 10 dishonest
contractors at absurdy low prices di'idehu III lio
profits being the reward
The system has not only debauchcd prison manage
mcut but has impedcd all refornatory influence uppn
the prisoners. Blamed, tortured and disgraced IN inc
workshops, which have been controlled 10y htrccnafy
contractors, when their term OF confinement mas eNpt
they have been released to wreak Their yinicuye ana
brutallzod feelings upon society. Dr. Eu5ht iariis,
Secretary OF the state Prison Association ecchyu "
it's fact 6cyond dispute that steady industry s the
essential means of penal discipline and rctormatory
treatment The trades can be 80 managed as 10 endoe
every prisoner 10 lead sciresprcthR, honest nIr'
must DC borne In mind tbat,when convicted, e haJorp
prisoners entirely destitute of knowledge OF
scsuppOrting trade and wlle they are III e ,
Of prison it is the duty OF society 70 CONFER upon tnc
such knowledge will enable them TO earn decent
livelihood and prepare them for the active duties OF
common fo That this cannot be dQne by the exercise
arbitrary authority alone experience tue W"id over
has amply proved. On the contrary, klnd and1ust treat
leads 20 the highest success. sN years ago iuo
Russian Government established at Moscow IA pcLiten
tiary that time 100 prisoner have been sentenced
To hard abOG tho Imprisonment being for short terms
Only nine prisoners who have passed tlrOnHh ulI7
institution have been again convicted by the COURTS
Every prisoner ~ taught lucrative trade HIS uluSeH'
is cncOufaged a share OF the products OF h5 labor Is al
lowed him and provision is made for his fanlly' IN
other words the labor managed as TO tcdch nun WI
he most needs TO know. =.
Aside from the measure already introduced in the
L,eislaturc 10 reform the present contract system I'D
STATE Prison labor. amendment 10 the Constitution
viii soon presented. 10 urged that in no other way
can thorough reform be secured inasmuch AZ the c&
iStinC laws convert the penal institutions INTO pOnuc
macliucs. The amendment will abolish the ohco OF III
spcctOi and institute board of five directors one OF
whom shall be appointed at the expiration OF three years
They shall have the appointment NJ warden, phNNcar
chaplain and clerk, OF whom shall be removed eN-
ccpt by impeachment for bad conduct The warden
shall have the appointment OF all his subordnatcs Inc
political pa image which has been potent IN cOrTuphg
prison admins tTdtiOn will thus Dc prevented.
4 public meeting will bc held In Stoinway Han, on Jan.
g. To- respond TO the action OF meeting OF prison re-
formers IN London receive the report or Or Nlne9
AMI to take il view OF the next Prison con
trcss. Coy Hoffman, Bacque Beg, the Itet H. ":
bsccer, Archbishop McCiOsky, and Senator wilson VIII
probably be present.