The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-07-18
A Prison School.

Editor Mirror:
I 1t has long since been accepted as true
that ignorance is the parent of crime.
From this it does not follow that all crime
is the direct result of ignorance, but it is
established beyond all question that the
lower grades of crimes are committed By
the ignorant. Our laws recognize this.
but intellectual training has only become,
OF late years, part of the remedy for the
disease of crimnality. Many of the states
now recognize the necessity of making
education part of the penalty for crime,
especially for young, and tirst-time offenders.
This subject has received the attention of
the law makers and it seems strange that
it is thought advisable to erect an entire
new penal institution in this state, with
education as one of its chief aims, and yet
make no provision for education in this
prison, where the larger number of often
derS will most likely be confined. Is it the
intention to imprisOn here only those for
whom there is no hope? If so the num-
Der will be so small that one guard and the
warden will be all the officers needed to
problem has been chatf. Certainly there
should be something done in this mattar
NOW. Ii there is no law providing for a
prison school, there is certainly no law pro-
r'hfbiting one. ''Oh. there would have to be
an extra guard" Is that so? Then why
don't some one bring the matter before the
inspectors? | don't believe they want to
go on record as laying one straw in the
way of SO worthy an object If they will
consider that there are at least fifty men
confined here who cannot read, and as
many more who would properly belong to
the first grade, | believe they will provide
for an extra guard. Many of these men
+ are serving their second, and some their
thlrd terms of imprisonment. An insight
into the simple rudiments of learning might
change their course for the better If such
would prove true in one case in five the
state would be amply repaid for all expen-
diture for guard duty.
Whose duty is it to see to this?" Whose
duty is it not? We have had before us
from time to time. humantarians, both
individual and representatives of various
organizations. These people claim to be
laboring for the good of humanity. They
have done much good. but if they would
look more to education as a remedy, they
would be more successful in lifting uD the
erring. Do you hear the answer?-"This
is not our duty" Actual duty lies not in
what we are compelled to do by the judg-
ment of public clamOr, but in doing what
presents itself as best for the uplifting of
mankind.
There are at least a dozen men among the
inmates who are competent TO teach such a
school, The division of classes could be
such that those capable. and willing to de-
vote one or more evenings week to instruct
ing class, could have the work so divided
that it would. in time be pleasant as well
as beneficial. When the school is once
under organization it will be an easy matter
to keep it running. The extra expense
would be trifie, and the Importance of
such move leaves no excuse for delay.
Not next week. next month. nor next year.
but right now we need a school. Just as
soon as some humanitarian sees this article,
let him see how quick he can get to the
warden and begin work. Raise fund to
pay guard until provision can be made
for regular appointment. Don't wait
for Smith. Jones, or any one. If two or
more Of you should meet in the warden's
Office he would not quarrel with you on
account of numbers. l have heard this
matter talked of for the past ten months
and am informed by old residents that the
same kind of talk has been heard for at
least ten years. l am convinced that some
thing more is needed than talk. The officers
have signified their willingness to encourage
such movement, and all that is required
is for some one to put the necessary prOpel-