The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-01-17
A Novel scheme.


The question of criminal reformation is
now agitated in almost the same degree as is
the tariff question. High tariff means pro.
lection for the people. Criminal reforma-
ton means the same. 1t means: to protect
their homes, their children, their lives and
industries. Some tariff refOrmers advocate
free trade: such as was in vogue thirty
years ago. We find the same with criminal
refOrmers. Some advocate the cruel treat
ment. that was in vogue thirty or forty years
ago as a medium to reform the criminal.
Such methods are useless. Cruel treatment
will reform no man. Cruel treatment only
tends to harden the criminal; while humane
treatment acts in the reverse manner. The
world does not do things to-day as it did
forty years ago nor does it do things to- day
as it will forty years hence. For instance:
A man undertook to go from Colorado to
Pennsylvania in the old style of fifty years
ago. viz: by wagon route. He was under
the impression that he could travel cheaper
in his wagon than in train. For short
distance he could; but what was the result
of the long distance? Why. he suffered
from beginning to end; wore out four good
horses; spent all of his money. which
amounted to $500: and finally. reached his
destination. after eleven weeks. with
nothing but few rags on his back and
good appetite. This man. as can be seen.
was fifty years behind the times. One
freight car would have carried him and his
plumber with ease; $3.50 would have covered
the cost. and thus he would have reached
his destination in eleven days. and without
jeopardizing his life. His loss was great.
but not SO great as SOciety'S loss will be if
the refOrmatOry methods of fifty years ago
are persisted in.
have method in mind that may not
receive consideration. but. nevertheless, |
will endeavOr to spin it out: A man is ar
rested. tried. and convicted of crime. He
receives life sentence and is to earn
"a. 500. OF this amount he is to pay the
state two thirds. Now his liberty depends
on his industry; his behavior. or. in word.
his character. The whole amount nor any
part of the amount can be given to him,
without he earns it. He is to receive IS
cents day for his work. Thus. if the man
retained his health. he could average 1925
year. At this rate he could regain his
liberty in about fifteen years. Fifteen years
is reasonable time. He would also have
81. 800 to begin life with on his release.
The first $25 he earns is placed in bank to
draw interest. and each succeeding $25 is
treated in like manner. until his bank &C
count is $4,000. Then he is given his third
Isl. 50O) and released. For misbehavOr he
is to be fined according to the deed, thus
doing away with the ''hole." Suppose he
were fined at different times during the
fifteen years 5000. If So he is to stay until
he earns that amount at SO cents day.
This method could be carried on under any
system We can see how this method
would test, reform. and benefit the life
man; for if there were no inclination to
living a straight life III the convict. he would
never earn the 81, 500, for he would be al
ways paying fines.
Now. for the short timer" He is SEN
fenced to say one year, and to earn. 5000.
If he is well-behaved he can earn his liberty
in nine months. and have $66 to begin life
with. Should he be SO disObedient as to
not accumulate the 5000 in one year, the
whole amount earned is taken from him
and at the end of the year. the full length
of his sentence he is discharged with only
S.. This method. l think. would work to
perfection. L. C.