Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-12
THE PAROLE SYSTEM TESTED.

S1Dult Gdtb TIC CtetS Vi OtAAO S-NNeS
at Mansfield, at heavy expense, branch
State prison known as the intermediate
Penitentiary" 1t was intended to be an
institution, as its name implies, for first
offenders, neophytes in crime, and for those
whom it is desirable to separate from the
mass of criminals. 1t was such prison
as it has been proposed to establish in this
State, for the detention of those in whom
the officials believe reformation to be alto
gether probable under proper conditions
Three years ago Ohio adopted the parole
system, and it is now such demonstrated
success, and proves so UNNECESSARILY su-
perior to the reformatory prison plan,
that Ohio finds no use for its costly Inter
mediate Penitentiary," and offers to sell it
to the Federal Government as central
national prison, Congress having seriously
considered the erection of such prison
IN central locality. The only reason
given for the proposition to abandon and
sell the prison is that the parole system
has rendered it useless. As the Cleveland
Leader puts it:
The primary object in creating the interme-
date penitentiaIy was meritorious, yet it was
legislated out of its purpose by the passage of q
law that virtually met all the requirements that
were anticipated Of such an institution. 1t is
apparent, therefore, that its maintenance is
bound to be heavy drag upon the State, and
that there is really no absolute demand for its
completion. There are now many vacant cells
in the Columbus Penitentiary and the number
of inmates is not increasing perceptibly since
the more trusty prisoners are admitted to parole.
If the Mansfield institution can be disposed OF
at its worth to the Federal Government it would
seem to be the best policy all around to COM
plete such bargain.
No stronger test could be made of the
wisdom of the "parole system than this.
If the proof of the pudding is in the eat
ing, then Ohio has reduced the parole
scheme to demonstration. The RECORD
UNION during the session of the Legis-
lature frequently called attention to the
"parole idea, and became convinced that
it would "pay" to try the experiment in
California. The Prison Directors were
sensibly impressed with the worth of the
plan, and advised the Legislature to look
into it. That body, however, declined to
do so, and in several quarters the scheme
was treated with contempt, and as bit Of
sentimentalism unworthy of serious con-
sideration. In view of its complete success
in Ohio, it will probably be more soberly
received when again presented to the law
making power.
The system is not at all involved, and is
easily explained. Under it convict being
found to be industrious and anxious to
reform his ways, Is as ward of the State
given his liberty under surveillance and
liability of being returned to his cell. He
goes out with letter certifying that he is
convict at liberty under parole. He is
not turned out until place is found where
he can work. He is required to report to
the prison he left weekly, to account for
the wages ne receives, and to make fire.
quent and itemized returns of the manner
in which ne has disposed of his money
He is not to visit saloons, dance halls, or
vicious places of amusement, nor TO 1850
ciate with dissoiute characters or put him
self forward in the public view. He is to
be reserved, adhere closely to his labor,
abstain from the use of intoxicating drinks,
report frequently to the local peace officers
as to his habits, location, etc, and if he is
thrown out of employment to report at
once to the prison authorities. He has the
privilege of returning to the prison if he
finds temptation too strong for him. His
credits are given for good behavior, as if
he were in prison, and he is visited occa-
sionally by the States agent, who examines
into his habits, and if they are found to be
bad he is deprived of his credits and re-
turned to prison.
Under this system the convict is pro
tected from the assaults, threats ard temp
tations of discharged convicts. He makes
no concealment of his character as a
States ward, and hence blackmail cannot
be levied upon him by old convicts, as is now
done upon all discharged prisoners who
strive to live honest lives, nor can he be
driven back into crime by the DIGGING"
of police officers, as it is VIGOROUSLY now
practiced. He is not turned from labor
because he is convict, but Is given en-
ployment with the fact that he is paroled
prisoner plainly in view. There is put be-
fore him every incentive to reform, to
cut loose from bad associates and habits,
and, likewise, there is held over him the
threat of severe punishment and the de-
privation of all privileges if he abuses the
trust reposed in him. He is no longer
charge upon the State, but supports him
self, and thus fosters economy in the con-
duct of prisons. If there is any posi-
bility of working reform in him it devel-
ops under this system, whereas, while de-
tanned in prison it is impossible to deter
mine, no matter how well behaved the
man may be, whether reformatory infu-
enees have had any positive and perma-
nent effect upon him-oontact with the
world alone can demonstrate that.
A system that has worked so well in
Ohio, that is so warmly approved by prac-
teal penologists, and that has rendered
unnecessary one of the penitentiaries of a
principal State of the Union, is not any
longer to be sneered at, or put aside by the
theorists who believe that the best use to
make of convict is to confirm him in
criminal ways, and so treat him as to make
him for all his life an enemy of society,"
beast to prey upon it.
ANOTHER sEYBERT SPIRIT REPORT.
The Seybert Spirit Investigating Com
mittee has made a second report. The
committee was formed under limited en-
dowment by rich Philadelphian to inyes-
tigate the phenomena of spiritualism. The
committee is composed of scientists, bust
ness men, theologians, literary workers,
lawyers, electricians, physicians and emf
nent scholars-men who were chosen be-