The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-25
PRISON

a high degree interesting and important, as
will be seen by.the following extracts from
the report:
PRISON DISCIPLINE.
After the permanent president, Hon.
Horatio Seymour, had thanked the conyen-
ton for the honor conferred upon him, the
report Of the standing committee on prison
discipline was submitted by Mr.. Brock
way, Of Michigan, its chairman. 1t says,
in substance, that the number of actually
imprisoned criminals at a given time in the
United States reaches 10000 persons.
The influence of criminals at large upon
their progeny, and upon society in various
ways is in excess of the governmental and
moral means used for the repression of
crime. Since one-third of the criminals
are annually released from prison, the pris-
OH populace itself becomes q centre Of
crime production.
There are again hundreds of thousands Of
persons who arrive in this country from
foreign countries, possessing but an imper-
feet knowledge of the language, laws and
customs of our land, who are crowded into
our cities, or sent by interested persons to
our frontier states, and unaccustomed to the
freedom which they here enjoy, become a
prey W NlClOuS pClcOllSs III lCSdlu W tliC
latter, the exposed classes, prison disci-
nishing preventive agencies, so that they
may not be tempted to do evil.
This has been partially accomplished in
several states by the enactment of compul-
sorry education and stringent liquor laws.
There is now In Coldwater, Michigan,
a state public school where children above
&c.. IL - n.,ean,. &c ~ rx,1,a
are neglected and depending upon the chari-
ties of their neighbor or aband med by
parents, or orphans, or whose parents
are convicted Of crime, are cared
for and educated in the best possible man
ner. The influences of such training can
hardly be overestimated.
The actual relation between the criminal
in confinement and the criminal classes in
society, and the duties of the government
towards them, are questions that should
engage the attention of this association. The
criminals abroad in society probably sup
ply the prison population to a much larger
extent than is supposed. The report sug-
guested that the criminal, after he leaves
the walls of the prison, should continue
to remain under the supervisory control OF
appropriate officers until he is considered
qualified to 60 into society as a moral man,
and able to read, write, and cipher and
skilled in some trade wherewith to earn his
living, &c.
The latter suggestion elected a lengthy
discussion, many of those present OPP
posing the idea that restraint should be
placed on the prisoner after he leaves the
prison, claiming that the state has then no
right to hold him under. Another objec-
ton seemed to be that it would form a
criminal class and the harm done by this
would far outweigh the good.
DUTY OF SOCIETY TO ACCUSED PERSONS.
Mr.. William j. Muller, the prison agent
of Philadelphia, sent a paper on the duty
of society to persons accused and waiting
trial, which was read. He writes that the
investigations made by him in the Phila-
delphia county prison have prevented the
conviction of thousands who would other
wise have been condemned. The friendly
interference of an intelligent and dis
interested agent in behalf Of the
accused who may be ncarcerated,
and who is friendless and help
less and without the means of proving
his innocence, may result in securing his
acquittal by supplying him with counsel to
properly explain his case to the court. All
well-regulated prisons should have such an
agent, who should prevent improper con-
v~ictions. This has been done effectually in
Philadelphia, with the unqualified approval
of the highest authorities, where all cour-
tesy has been extended to the agent. With
the facilities the agent has succeeded in liber-
ating 32,474 persons within the last nine
teen years, Of which number 2,440 were
liberated during the past year, many, if
not all of whom would have been convict
ed without his interference. The saving in
money to the taxpayers of Philadelphia in
the release of these prisoners amounts to
1926, 112. If the congress would take
some action on this subject, it would, in
the Judgment of the agent, be attended with
good results.
The discussion was participated in by
DIR. Bellows, of New York, Mr.. Miller, of
Ohio, and others.
Mr.. X. Pritchard then offered the reso-
luton, which was laid on the table:
Resolved, That in the opinion of this
congress, it is unwise and impolitic for
states or cities having charge of penitentia-
ries or prisons in which convictS are con-
fined, to lease or rent the same for any Pc
Rod of time to private persons or others.
LIZ NIiRub, VI ICuuOooCO, ohSiOu q
resolution that when, in the judgment OF
the state legislatures, the plan of leasing
the state prison is adopted, the entire con-
troll of the treatment of convicts should be
retained by the state, so that such reforma-
tory measures as may be thought wise and
beneficent to the best interest of the crimi-
nal and state may be carried out. The
resolution was referred to the committee
on business.
PROTECTION AFTER LIBERATION.
The president. Mr.. Seymour, said that II
was exceedingly important that when 0
prisoner showed good conduct during his
confinement the same should have an inau'
ence in protecting him after his liberation
Every discharged convict is in some way
drawn into the commitment of crime
if he is not governed by some
kindlier influence. The speaker was
in favor Of giving to all such apartment OF
paper, nicely prepared and with oficia
signatures, setting forth his conduct anG
appealing to all who may come in contac
with him to receive him in kindness. /
would secure him protection, and he would
respect himself. The certificate ought Il
set forth his merits in as strong terms al
prudence will permit.
IMPRIsoNING CHILDREN.
Mr.. Pierce, of Massachusetts,, called tn,
affapfion IF tho coporacc IN tho impricnn