The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-22
TABLE NO. 4.


Assault 10 wound "
Assault 10 mne....-.'....,', ',a..'.....'''..'''
ingnnN .''' ~
lnrc
Miscellaneous
Tot.l......................................so2
From a consideration Of these tables IL
will appear that, Of the S02 prisoners who
have been paroled within the past year,
but thiriy-four, or ii per cent. OF the en-
tire number, have violated the conditions
under which they were released. IL will
be further seen that OF the thirty-four, so
charged, twenty-one have been accused Of
nothing further than violation OF the
conditions which forbids removal from the
State, until discharged by the board OF
the remaining thirteen, eight have been
returned for petty misdcmcanors, under
the head Of drunkenness and disorderly
conduct, and but five, or less than per
cent. of the total number paroled, have
been guilty of oiicnscs of q serious nature.
The crimes with which these prisoners
stand charged are among the most hcinous
that can be enumerated, and when il has
been shown, rs above. that but per cent.
Of these oiIcnses have Leen repeated, the
best argument that u would be possible 10
advance in favor OF the parole system, ns a
refonnaiory measure, has been brought
forward in this exposition oil lis efficacy rs
n restraining medium.
II is, of couNe, scarcely 10 be expected
that ~ favorable q showing as the one here
given can bc looked for under all circum.
stances; nevertheless, the parole system
has been found In Ohio not only good
but great one.
II is founded upon the principle 20 beau
tiinlly cnunciated 10y Portia when pleading
with Shylock, that Earthly power doth
then show lkcst Gods, when mercy sea.
sons Justice
ADVANTAGES or TnE PAROLE SYSTEM.
II has proved q most powerful incentive
20 the convict 10 conduct himself properly
and ia accordance with the rules laid down
for his guidance while In prison. He is
fully aware that, In failing TO DO 30, he is
only rendering himself ineligible 10 the
benefits which the system coniers. II acts
as a curb 10 evil passions and impulscs; II
lays within the prison walls the foundation
OF that spirit Of seli-control and circum.
Hpcction 10y which ho must be governed
Ia his dealings with the outside world Il
forliiics him In his determination to shun
association with those whose companion
ship Is likely 10 prove not only prcjudicial
to his moral well being, but a source Of
danger 10 his personal liberty; he realizes
that any departure, however slight, from
the conditions imposed upon him nj his
release may he sufficient 10 cause his NJ.
, arrest aud cancel his parole: he also knows
that II rcturpcd 10 the prison for cause, he
will lose all the good time" he has
earned since his entry upon conyicts
life.
, This isa most vital consideration 90 the
prisoner. inasnuch ~ IL lies within his
power 10 reduce the term of his imprison.
mCnt 10y good behavior from oncsiXth u
one fourth Of his full period, In proportion
20 the length Ibis parole subjects him Ia
the Ices oi this time, and leaves. Jim upon
, his rrinrafrcmtion with a longer torn "a
work out than would in all probability fall
a. his lot had he not been conditionally NJ.
stored to freedom.
= A further advantage which the parole
system conicn, and one Of the most para.
7 noun, Importance 90 the prisoner IL this
II guarantees 10 him AN opportunity ol
earning an honest livelihood from IT, very
J. start In accordance with the condition,
mentioned above. such an offer OF NJ
, spcciablc employment places him beyond
' the reach Of the temptations which assi
, 10 many men upon their discharge from
: prison, when they 6nd themselves thrown
once morc upon their own resources with
out friends, reputation or work and pnc
I, tically without means. for the miscmbl,
= pittancc pcciycd nj the prison gate Is us
: ually insufficient to meet their wants unit
employment has been secured, and ~
: consequence II not inicqucnily happens
u that many man, dishcartcncd by irc.
qucnt rcbuns, Is forced, through sheer ne
/ Il ...aa. a.
= adoption Of criminal career
y Under the parole system he enters tn
y service ct an employer who Il conyor,an
y with the story Of hls shame, from whom
u lac has nothing to conceal, aud To- whom
lac il entitled 10 look for sympathy an,
protection. II he labor faithfully, dill
II gently and Understandings, he win hav
" acquired, by the time his sentence expires
:, an experience In the special work assigne,
II him that will render his services yaluabl
~ "a his employer, he will have formed hal
" It's Of irugllity Temperance aud scli-rcl
y. ancc, and he will find himself W tar ad
lc yanccd In career Of honesty and useful
~ mess, aud M well satisfied with the effort
n he has put forth 90 develop the better an
no no'lcr traits Of his character, that IN
N temptation to diycrgc from the path ,
or rcctiiudo viii meet with but slight consd
4. Grafton from one who has begun TO iasl
nc the sweets that q well spent life ASSURES.
ANOTHER ADVANTAGE.
L. Finally the parole system elcynics IN
IN pcnnilcss offender 90 a level with IN
Ia noncyed one, aud makes merit, and ne
TO gold, the gateway 20 liberty II allows IN
Ic, hasty or severe Judgment Of the court toh
'le iudiciously modified and tempered by IN
iuiurc record of the convict, CAREFUL
a, weighed and digcstcd as such record
&c. from month 10 month bymcn specially 81
ms pointed for the task. II places In III
M hands Of board Of managers the power
Is restore the really deserving prisoner
n liberty without nj the same limo relioyln
Is himiromaocouniabiliiy Of bis unlawiulact
'c, accoris him AN opportunity Of proyr
Ich his manhood, encourages him 10 suppo
css not only himself, but those who may |
OF dependent upon him Tor subsistence u q
a. bars him from the enjoyment OF nothir
The that will contribute TO lis ENLIGHTENMENT
u leaves him ice 10 choose his own ass
nd ciaics, aud the restrictions which Il Il
, a poses upon him, Il can readily be imagine
ils' are not only notprcjudicial 10 his interest
The but actually conducive 10 his welfare.