The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-05-30
misled, as were others. by the manner in
which he expressed his views.

misled, as were others. by the manner in
which he expressed his views.
Men who have had long experience in the
management of penal institutions and who
necessarily come in contact daily with the
inmates. can very soon determine the nat
ural prOpenSities of their prisoners. Yet
even they, with all the advantage years
of experience affords them, cannot look in
to the actual character of the man under
their care half as well as one who is of their
own number. The wisest of prison officials
are therefore greatly mistaken in their eSti-
nation of mans true character. often
taking one who may appear to them as
being what they would term irreclamable.
who is in reality far removed from that de-
plOrable state. and vice versa. You may say
that practical officers judge by a mans con-
duct and various other actiOns-by his con-
versa.ion, and by his correspondence with
the outside wOrld-in estimating his prOba-
BILE reformation, or his inclination to return
to criminal practices. | do not deny the
fact that by these methods much may be
learned of the criminals character, yet it is
far from being true criterion to 90 by. The
only sure way in which to tell whether a
man is truly reformed is to watch his life
after his release His associations. Occupa-
ton, the character of his sources of pleasure.
and his general behavior as a free man
will give you far better insight into his
true character than years of experience as
his keeper behind prison walls. Therefore,
when prison officials take upon themselves
the authority to say man is reformed or
he is not reformed, having nothing to sup
port their assertions other than his record
as a prisoner while under their care. they
not only misjudge the man in the majority
of h,,f fhnx, CT, hli,,p
in the path that leads to the true source of
the reformation of criminals, that can never
be passed, and the only way to correct the
evil (fOr evil it certainly is) Is to abolish
such practice. According to the law OF
New York state. man who enters the El-
mira refOrmatOry, can. by being perfect in
his work, studies and conduct, gain his pro-
batiOnal liberty at the end of one year;
PROVIDED the managers of said institution
shall be convinced of his probable refOrma-
ton. The right thus given to the managers.
leaves the question of mans liberty a
matter wholly to be decided by their per-
sOnal opinion regarding the sincerity of his
inclination to be an honest. law abiding
man, inasmuch as one may be perfect in
conduct. studies and labor. gain all the
privileges, in short. fulfill every duty i'm
posed by the rules of the institution. and at
the expiration of the year be told by the
managers that although perfect in every
other respect, he cannot be granted pa
role because they dO not think he is sutfi-
ciently reformed" This is by no means a
prejudicial illusion. it is a bona fide fact;
nor do the managers of that institution deny
it.
The very strongest argument that can be
brought forward to prove the impractical
bility of this system is the statistics for
eleven years trial of it. Out of l 722 men
parOled in eleven years, only 164, or 9 per
cent, gained their release at the expiration
of one year, and the average detention be-
fore parole lOf the whole number) was
twenty months. Now, if any one can con-
vince me that such record proves the
practicablity of their system governing pa
roles. | would deem it great favor. The
marking SYSTEM is also defective If our
warden were to say to me on entering this
prison, Here are the rules, you must be
perfect in the observance OF them. If you
violate any one you will be Summarily pun
ished." Suppose l make perfect record.
say for six or eight months, and then by
thOughtlessness, or even by premedtatiOn.
violate one. If | come out frankly and
acknowledge my error, bring forward my
previous good record. and promise to faith
fully obey in the future. l naturally hope
for suspension of punishment. If fgranted
to me with fitting reprimand and warning
not to repeat the OffenSe l certainly feel in
my heart that my keeper is humane, and
his action toward me helps me to realize
what my duty is. and gives to me an incen-
tive to demonstrate my willingness to obey