The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-05-16
Five Gents.
Prisoners Aid Societies.


The Minneapolis Star of May s. has the,
following anent the much-mooted question
of prisoners aid societies:
The people who have a phlanthropc
turn of mind have for many years been adj
vOcating the organization of prisoners aid
associations.
Mr.. H. H. Hart, the secretary of the
state board of charities. and a man who is a
thoroughly sensible and practical philan-
thropist, has of late been looking into this
matter with the end in view of getting the
widest possible collection of data as to eX-
isting societies of this kind. in order to
have clear idea not only of the work that
has been done elsewhere. but of the diff
cultieS that lie in the way of making these
societies successful. He addressed letters
some weeks since to representatives of va
| rOuS societies of this nature, and has re-
ceived the replies which are subjOned. The
first one to be quoted is from Fred H.
Wines. of Illinois. one of the best posted
men in the United States on the subject of
prison reform. In his letter he says:
II should be very glad to see prisoners
aid association established i'm Minnesota. l
do not know how to advise you as to the
probability of success in the enterprise
The interest felt by the public at large in
most infintisimally small. but it is grow
ing. New York employed an agent to at
tend the city courts, who commanded the,
respect of the Judges, and who was fire.
quently asked by them to investigate cases,
i'm advance of trial. This is the oldest and
largest association in existence. except that
in Philadelphia which is older but of less
Importance. In Maryland there is wide,
awake, active organization"
President Griffith, of the Maryland asso-
citation, writes:
"Our society in Maryland is now 49,
years old, and in these years has accom-
plished great good. We visit the penal,
refOrmatOry and pauper institutions through
out the state from time to time, and by close
and careful inspection. correct many abuses.
In the city Jail and penitentiary we have
we'll organized Sunday schools. and we con-
duct religious services every Sunday after
noon. calling to our assistance the clergy
men of the city,
The following response came from the
superintendent of the Chicago Athenaeum:
Il can only say, in brief, that owing to
our trying experience in this city in endeav-
Oring 20 maintain the Prisoners Aid ASsO-
citation for four years. l would not advise
any new association to undertake the work
without first securing the aid and CO.
operation of the state. Let us grade the
criminals. see to it that no young man or
woman who has taken the first wrong step
and been brought to Judgment. is cast into
a cell or even section of Jail or prison
where confirmed criminals are confined.
Our county jails and police stations as at
present. are no better than criminal high
schools. You have my best wishes for the
organization in your enterprising state. OF a
staunch. wisely-conducted Prisoners Aid
Association"
Iowa contributes her share in this priS-
Oners' symposiac by the following letter:
1--WE have a state organization and sys-
tenn of social auxiliary associations. These
are rather inefficient as yet. We have vOt-
ed to lay our cause before every synod or
state convention of Christians in the state.
We can never do anything with legislature
until we have public sentiment on this
subject of prison REFORM"