The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-07-18
Where to Begin the Work.


Editor Mirror:
''PrisoE Reform'-that. understand, is what
THE MIRROR is advocating. A noble cause. and
it is possible to give it, and my object in submit
ting this communication is Simply to suggest to
the ladies of the W. c. T. o.. and other ladies and
gentlemen who interested in the cause. a mode
of working which have good reason to believe
would ultimately prove success 1t is not to be
questioned for one moment but that the ladies
above referred to sincere in their desire to re-
form the criminal and raise the fallen and enable
them possible to forget the past and become up
right members of society. But the question is.
are they working in the right direction? Are they
making any progress? Are they sufficiently posted
from a worldly standpoint to distinguish a genu-
inc case of reform from genuine case of decep-
ton? Their knowledge of criminal character is
very limited. Personal observation prompts me
to make this assertion. The perfidious and hypo-
critical are to be found in every walk OF life, and
the society of the Hotel de saltwater is no
exception.
But the question the public has been discussing
as long as can remember, and years before pre-
sumo, is, "How are to reform the criminal?'
will tell you. Endeavor as much possible to
prevent the making Of them. There are boys and
men in this institution and all similar ones, who
are not yet criminals, but they are progressing
nicely in that direction. Timely interference is
the only way to check that progress. Make it your
business, when you visit the prison. to look up
the youthful prisoners, the majority of whom are
victims of circumstances. prejudiced court.
Here is field for reform work. Investigate their
cases. and if they merit your intercession use
your influence to procure their release Then
help them to procure suitable situation. You
have then begun reform in earnest. What is the
of trying to reform those who are beyond the
pale OF reformation? Your intentions are good
but your efforts are in vain. If you wish to bene
fit society," and at the same time assist the fallen
extend your aid where it will meet with success
Past and present instances demonstrate beyond
all reasonable doubt that severe sentences in the
cases of boys tend only to make their after life
criminal They argue that society owes them
debt" and after serving their sentences their one
object in life is to get square with society," The
only way to prevent this is by timely interference
before they have reached criminal perfection. 1
know from experience the effect of this judicial
error having been the victim of it in youth my.
self. When 10y enters state prison for term
OF five years or more, he is simply the material
out of which the state is going to construct first
class thief. OF the estimated 100000 criminals in
the United States to-day, venture to say fully
One-half are of government manufacture.
AS said before, the only way this can be reme-
died is by timely interference; So calling the at.
tention Of the ladies of the w. C. T. u, and 9TH
ers who are charitably disposed, to the cases 1
have referred to, will close, feeling certain if
they adopt the mode of working have suggested,
they will have laid the first substantial stone in
the edifce of reform. F.s.