The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-04-13
Communicated
Foreign Prisoners.

Tho sight of prisoners at work on the roads and
public works about Honolulu is 4 strange one to
travellers from those countries where prisoners are
Of necessity kept in seclusion We who have lived
here longer think nothing of it, and hardly ever
give the ordinary prisoner whom we see in such
places even a thought of pity To most Hawaiians
imprisonment has little OF disgrace about it.
they suffer so little from it socially and they are
altogether so comfortable while in prison and seem
s. cheerful and happy, is not distressed by the
sight of thcm. With exceptions in very few cases,
ii any they have better quarters and their food is
abundant and good IN the prison they have
IN their own homes. We all know that TO the COM
mon Hawaiian imprisonment is not socially at all
serious. The punishment Of Imprisonment. at
least the heaviest part of 1t. would be the necessity
Of punctual hours and regular and constant labor.
The ChInAman NAV feel the disgrace of imprison-
mcrt more though II Is probable the disgrace of
being shut up IN, TO him, barbarian prison is not
very great. The fact that he performing I'M
paid labor would be the bitterest thing to him.
The common Hawaiian and the Chinaman are of
about the same condition IN life, and the two work
ing together prisoners do not feel degraded by
I le association. Nor Is it matter of concern to
them that they are working exposed 10 the public
gaze But the of the European or American
prisoner is altogether different. 10 SUCH the very
fact OF imprisonment Is disgrace beyond any
thing the Others spoken of can imagine. / speak of
such prisoners as we usually have here. Thev are
generally those who however contrary their acts
may have been 10 the principle, have been taught
that COod name Is above price and rather to be
chosen ia "A great riches" 10 SUCH imprison- |
meut for criminal offence means the loss of this
good name the loss Of social position and the res
pec Of The equals. This is far harder To bear than
toe hard labor which is usually part of his SEN
tsnce. Besides tins, not 10 speak of the difference
in comfort between the prison fare and that which
q foreigner may command outside of the prison, /
Imprisonment may very seriously affect all Of a /
mans future chances for getting on and making a 1
% afa holm Frran fha
ment Of such one FOR the same offence is really |
great dead heavier than that Of any other class of
our prisoners. The nature of things makes this so
and II cannot be helped. imprisonment with all |
its social consequences for our foreign offenders |
with hard labor Is Just and right The man has l
sinned with possibility of these before hini-he |
has taken his chances against law and right, aud |
failed But maintain that In spite of this, equal
and exact justice TO all men" does not demand |
that such man be sent ON 10 the public streets to
work out his under the very eyes of his form
er friends aud equals. Justice does not demand
that the severity Of his sentence should be doubled
by tins public exposure of his disgrace. And if
justice did demand II. even enmercy might sure
Is 80 far temper our justice rs to give the man
some chance 10 hide has shame. IL Is no excuse
for - sending him out, to say there is no hard
uu-k bv which be may fulfill that part of his sen
iencs. within the prison enclosure. Il could be
irried there IL ls % prisons in other countries.
The trdth As It Is convenient to have some Of the
prisoners work on the roads and do other public
work and SO lest there be a cry of favor TO
T" classes and lest a rod should be made Of any
distinction 70 stir up that dreadful sleeping lion
called .autaSonism between the races All are
sent out Bat there is neither right nor justice IN