The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-10-31

nwate linn, Gents

volt that ever occurred was the result of op-
preston and not of humane treatment.
do not oppose strict discipline. on the
contrary. | am in favor of it for | know it
is necessary to my own welfare; but | am
opposed to a set of rules which. if strictly
enforced, makes mere autOmatOnS, moved
DY common spring. of beings whom God
made no two alike: that rObS them Of that
Individuality and independence which sepa-
rates mankind from Nutekind. and makes
the enterprise OF the world; that teaches
them nothing good, but confirms in them all
that is bad; that receives and turns them
out time after time more hardened and
dangerous the last time than the first; that
forbidS a keeper to smile, but requires him to
wear look of severity until in time his face
takes on fixed expression OF misanthrOpy.
1t is the way of human nature that he
becomes insensibe to humane feelings by
leading such a life for years. Therefore
| say the system works evil to those who
have to enforce it and those who must
obey it.
One of the great faults of the system is,
it subjects the best behaved prisoners to the
Saile treatment as the worst behaved. Ii
is designed to control the bad, which are
admitted to be but small per cent. of the
whole. while at the same time it brings the
well behaved down to the same level and
holds them there with rare exceptions. AS
it now is, if man rises above the common
level, and is allowed superior privileges, he
does so by force of character or outside
pressure. and not as a reward for good con-
duct alone. About the only reward the
majority receive for perfect conduct save
its natural reward. is exemption from
severe punishment until they overstep some
rule. A man may keep clean record dur
ing ten years and at the end of that time
will not have advanced one step from where
he started, while another on his first days
imprisonment. without testing steps into a
better position and has superior privileges
and fewer trials. Naturally this causes the
one who has labored ten years for a good
record. to feel that his good conduct counts
for little and is not appreciated. l do not
say such is always the case, but it is the
rule and not the exception.
Outside of the injustice of such system.
its impractcability as refOrmatOry means
has been proved. it must be, to the satisfac-
ton Of all who have had the opportunity to
note its results
/ am we'll aware that any plans suggested
by convict for the bettering of his own
condition are apt to be regarded with dis
trust; therefore [ will content myself by
entering my plea for the Grading system
now adopted in several states and giving
good disciplinary and refOrmatOry results.
This system treats every man according to
his conduct. and gives him right by which
he may claim a standing in accordance
with his merit.
| will venture one suggestion which is:
Above the highest good conduct grade
would have society to which admittance
would depend entirely on PERSONS efforts
in the way of self-imprOvement. And to
secure all | would grant no privileges that
would tempt prisoner to escape All this
might be had at slight present cost. and
in reasonable space of time would result
in good to the prisoner, to society and to
the finances of the state. The public is
ready'to sanction change and hope and
expect to see it come this winter.
Now in closing. a word to officers
and guards: You have. the power to
introduce the Grading system into this
institution. 1t will be as much to your
benefit as to ours, for in raising us you
will elevate and make more agreeable your
own positions. Come nearer to uS-we
will not cOntaminate yOu-yOur control will
not be lessened but increased. What one
of you but would rather drive horses than
swine? And that is just about the differ
ence between what we are and what we
might be. ALEXIS.