Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-08
PRISON REFORM.

at London in July last, is document that
viii awaken deeper thought and create a
more intelligent comprehension of the
treatment proper for criminals. There is
scarcely any subject so directly concern
ing them upon which communities are so
lamentably ignorant, or SO perniciously
careless, as the management of their pris-
ons and jails and other penal institutions.
The mass people scarcely give it q Sc
rious thought, contenting themselves with
the idea that they have done all which is
necessary for the safety of society or the
good of the criminal, when they have
bolted him within the walls of the prison
or jail and provided him keeper, as they
would a wild beast. There are .enlight-
ened individuals who are in advance of
public sentiment upon the matter. who
have studied investigated observed, and
the more they study the subject and the
greater knowledge they acquire of it the
more profoundly are they impressed with
its Importance. Ii is sometimes, almost
always objected TO any plans for prison
reform, that they are the schemes of mere
ly theoretical, visionary, weak minded
men. But the truth is that the most ar
dent advocates of reform are men practi-
cally acquainted with the system of GRIM
inal punishment, as superintendents,
overseers, chaplains Of prisons, keepers
of iails. and others to whom circumstances
have in some way brought an actual
knowledge of our prisons and lheir man
an intelligent man of these classes, fit to
have charge of penitentiares or any spec
ial care of prisoners, who did not feel that
the treatment of criminals is too much
neglected by our legislatures and the pub
lie and not properly understood. 1t was
experience which opened their eyes. 1t
was practical knowledge which softened
their hearts also, enabling them to feel
for the depraved men in their care.
We are happy to know that our State
has shown some interest in this matter.
1t appears however that while Mr.. Mason
represented the State at London, he did it
at his own expense or that of friends who
contributed for the purpose. We notice,
too, that the management of the Maine
State Prison was mentioned in nattering
terms in paper submitted to the Congress
upon prison labor by an Englishman, so
,bot oaoti ,,-o- o11aI pnoo
subsequently to explain the system upon
which it is conducted
What viii strike one most forcibly up
on reading Mr. Mason's report is the re-
markable unanimity of opinion which pre-
vailed in the London Congress. There
were representatives, in the body Of TWEEN
ty-two distinct nationalitics. the most en-
lightened on the globe. Twenty States
OF this country were represented, and
there were individual representatives from
many Of the reiormatory and penal insti-
tutions in America and Europe. Yet
when all these representatives OF nearly
all enlightened lands, strangers to each
other, speaking in different languages,
| but having common experience in the
management of criminals, came to vote
and express their opinions upon the sub
| ject of reform, they were substantially q
unit for milder treatment, elcvating and
reformatory measures, dealing with Grim
mails as men and not brutes. Language
may differ and broad oceans roll between
men but human nature is the same every
where. at was great spectacle" says
Mr.. Mason, the sitting together Of the
"Kingdoms. Empires and States Of the
"ciyilized world, and so,emnly declaring
"that they regard it as fundamental fact
THAT, while recognizing the protection Of
"society to be the object for which penal
"codes exist, and the treatment OF crmi.
"nals is devised they also believe this
protection is moi only consistent with the
"principles, but absolutely demands that
"the moral regeneration OF the prisoner
should be a primary aim in the treat
"ment he is TO receive; that unnecessary
''pain or humiliation should be avoided
'that moral motives and forces be relied
"on mainly, and physical be resorted tc
"only in the last extremity; that hope,
being more powerful agent than fear,
"should be melted in all proper ways
THAT, while the prisoner must be taught
"that he has sinned against society. and
"owes it reparation, it is for himself to
"work his own way up out of the position
"of stern adversely necessitated by his
"crime; that prisoners are still men
though inside of prison walls, and con-
"tinuc to be swayed by human motives
land interests, and must, therefore, be
"dealt with as men and not as brutes
THAT of all reformatory agencies Religion
sis first in importance, because acting
most potentially on the heart and life !;
"that education has special agency ;
'that steady. active, useful labor is, at
"once n means and a test of reformation,
T. II al. -.