The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-05-23
" Guilty or Not Guilty!''


s'Guilty or Not GUILTY..
Editor Mirror:
The very pointed interrOgatOry which
heads this article is one that has been put to
each of us as are involuntariIy dwelling here,
and whether we responded atfrmatively
or negatively the fact remains painfully ap-
parent-we are here. Now, being here, it
appears to me that the first thing we should
take into consideration is how to shape our
course as to make our enforced sOjOurn as
endurable as possible. To do this we must
first of all endeavOr to comply with the
rules established for our guidance and thus
escape the punishment which is very likely
to follow their infractiOn. Some of them
may appear to be land no doubt are) I'M
necessarily severe. but so long as they re-
main unrepealed we cannot blame the Off
Ger who simply does his duty in enforcing
them; but he should be vested with GER
tain discretionary power SO that he could
distinguish between an intentional and I'M
intentional violation, and act accordingly
as circumstances may appear to dictate. 1t
is essentially necessary that strict discipline
vi
otherwise confusion would reign supreme;
but is the absolute enforcement of all the
existing rules actually necessary to secure
the requisite discipline that should prevail?
One of our inmates q. NJ. in recently
published article takes exception to Rule 5,
that which strictly fOrbidS our cOnversing
with one another, or to communicate any in
telligence by way of writing. signs, etc.,
except such as is necessary to convey our
wants to our keeper. The penalty for a
violation of this rule if enforced is: six days
in the dungeon, six days loss of good time,
and fine of two dollars and seventy
cents. l.. M. very elOquently portrays
some of the evils which follow strict en-
fOrcement of this rule and proves cOnclu
sively that the author of the old saying
that "A still tongue makes a wise head"
could never have lived under such a form
of government as ours or he would have
had the best of reasons for changing his
views as set forth in the quotation. This
rule. along with the rest by which we are
governed, was established by the board of
inspectors Feb. 6. 1876. more than twelve
years ago. and is a relic of a system of pun
ishment in prison which happily bids fair
to soon become obsolete. 1t is the only one
of the twenty-seven that operates decidedly
to our disadvantage, and the OnlyOne tOwhich
any of us can with fairness take exception.
Its strict enforcement at all times and in all
places is productive of more harm than
good, as can be verified by any unpreju-
diced person who may choose to study the
matter in all it's details.
Now, in regard to the working of this
rule: Does prohibition really prohibit? 1t
does to certain extent; but the rule is
nearly as much hOnOred in the breach as in
the observance. Go into any of our shops
and you will notice that if the guard is on
the qui vive land he generally is most nn-
pleasantly SOY the cOnvicts are to all appear
ances deeply interested in the work upon
which they may happen to be employed.
but let the vigilance of the guard be relaxed
but for few moments. and there are but
few who will fail to take advantage of it
by holding a whispered conversation with
his neighbOr. Can any one blame them for
following a natural impulse? They are
taking chances" and if detected are sum-
moHed to the guards desk and questioned
in reference to it; they will. if they think
they will get off with reprimand. plead
guilty" but if on the other hand they
think they are lin for ii" and will have to
pay the full penalty, they will invariably
plead mot guilty" and stick to it. A friend