The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-08-29

uASPoSCus L.
Pay the Convict and Reform the
Man.
There is good old maxim that says. ut
is always wise for us to take what we get
until we get what we want" In the
generality of cases we do so, especially the
convict. By comparison, the state of
Minnesota far exceeds the average in the dis
charge bounty given in our penal institu-
ton, and the abolition of the contract
system will, in all probability. necessitate
the making of new law governing this
point. We are, without doubt. more d.
rectly interested as to the provisions that
will be made. than any outside community.
Not little uneasiness prevails among the
inmates, especially those who have any
length of time to remain, but l think it is
predominant feeling among prisoners on
the whole, to imagine that every change
that occurs brings with it, what may be
commonly called ''hard times"
l have repeatedly heard this assertion
made by men in this prison, yet if we could
all calmly review the events of recent years
in the government of prisons, we could not
fail to observe steady, though slow pro-
gress in the improvement of refOrmatOry
methods. 1t is, perhaps true. that we as
inmates OF this institution, or the inmates
of any one institution in the country, can
not say that we have been individually
benefited, as yet, by these advanced views
of penOlOgists; yet that does not substanti-
ate the assertion that the prison population
on the whole has not experienced marked
improvement within the past five years.
Yes, we take what we get. still there is no
stipulation in the good old maxim that we
are to continue doing so until we get what
we want without asking for it. Some of
us ask for things we fail to receive. and l
doubt not that there are few within these
walls who sometimes receive little more
than they really want Be that as it may,
we are without doubt, unanimously of the
opinion that we should be paid SOMETHING
for our labor. About the only class of per-
sons who actively oppose this plan are those
who, as rule, look only upon one side of
every proposition offered that has for its
object the improvement of the cOnvict'S
condition. They hold that the convict is a
law breaker and that it is wrong to make
his punishment other than severe; that it
is detrimental to the welfare Of society to
treat him in the same manner you would a
rebellious child at home. yet what else is
the convict but refractory child of the
law? If he does wrong, punish him; but
with the completion of such punishment,
grant him forgiveness and help him to be a
man in the purest sense Of the word. ''Oh!
but we do forgive him." they would say If
he intends to be an honest man." Indeed?
What incentive do you hold out to him to
become such? DOyOu feel that you have
fulfilled your part when you turn him out
of prison with about enough money to buy
very slender outfit of clothing and pay
his expenses, say tor week provided he is
very economical and then pat him kindly
on the shoulder and say. Now, my boy. you
have the whole world before you, you have
experienced the inevitable result of wrong
doing, so make up your mind now to be a
man, and be honest and true" How little
such people know of human nature, and
how quickly they would perceive the fallacy
of such views. were their lot cast with that
of the discharged prisoner. Little do they
realize how severely handicapped he is; and
how many do you honestly believe would
be willing to employ him without some one
vOuching for the genuineneSS of his refOr-
nation?
There has been considerable talk of
establishing a Prisoners Aid association
for the purpose of aiding discharged pris-
Oners who evince an inclination to reform.
Will the state government appropriate the
necessary funds to support such an organi-
zation? Hardly. 1t then becomes neces-
Sary for people of philanthropic mind to
support it by voluntary contributions, and
this fact alone causes the convict to feel
that in applying for aid from such an
organization, that he is little better than an
object of public charity. Does it not seem,
therefore, more practicable to make prOvis-
ion for him to earn bv his own labor while
in prison, sufficient money to enable him to