The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-11-27
WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER %.
Prison Reform.

The interview with Warden MURDOCH
Of the northern prison, published in this
mornings SENTINEL, is worthy OF attention.
Mr. MURDOCH was en- route home from the
National prison congress, at Nashville,
Tenn, and was full of the spirit OF that
gathering, which was distinctly in line
with the most advanced thought OF the
day on all questions OF penology. 1t was
the largest and most important congress
that has vet been held and the proceed
ings were of the utmost interest. The adj
dress of ex-President HAYES, the presi-
dent of the congress, was an able and
comprehensive presentation OF the views
OF the most enlightened students
of the problems OF penal administration.
According to Mr.. MURDOCH, the sentiment
of the delegates was almost unanimous
against the administration OF corporal pun
ishment in any form. In most of the penal
institutions of the country. as in the In
diana prisons, the "cat" and all forms of
bodily punishment have heen abolished,
and the universal testimony OF those who
are engaged IN the management of these
institutions is that the very best results
have followed this reform. 1t is entirely
In accord with the humane spirit of the
age which has led to the introduction OF
similar reforms In most of our eleemosy-
nary and reformatory institutions. With
IN a very few years it is probable that there
will not be a prison, work-house, an
alms-house or an insane hospital in the
land in which any violence will be allowed
to be used toward the inmates by those
who are placed over them.
The sentiment of the prison congress
was strongly in favor OF the principle OF
the new Ohio law. We have several times
published in these columns a statement OF
the provisions of this law, and called at
tention to, the excellent results which have
attended its operation. The argument in
its behalf was presented with great force
in the last report OF the trustees OF the
northern prison and should have received
fuller consideration than the legislature at
its last session was able to give it. The
Ohio law is really modification Of the
British ticket-of-leave system. 1t is based
upon the correct theory-that the punish
nent of crime is administered, not to make
the criminal suffer for his evil doing, but
as a means of working his reformation and
securing the protection OF society. There
is obviously no justice and no wisdom in
keeping man confined within prison walls
who might be allowed his freedom with
out involving the slightest risk to society.
It is folly to keep men in penitentiaries.
supporting them at the expense of the
state and depriving their families Of the
benefit OF their exertions, when such men,
If unrestrained. would be law-abiding citi-
zens. There are hundreds and possibly
thousands of men in our prisons to-day
who ought not to be there. 1t would be
better for them, better for their families
better for the general interest of society,
if they were released. In many instances
their sentences are entirely disproportion-
ate to their ofenses, owing to the weak
ness, the prejudice or the ignorance Of the
iuries which tried them, the insufficiency
Of their defense or some peculiar
conditions of the public mind which pre-
vented them from receiving an impartial
trial. 1t is well known that there
is nothing like uniformity in the in
fiction of punishment by juries. SOM
men are sent to prison for long terms for
comparatively trifing offenses, while 9th
eTs who commit the gravest OF crimes
often escape with the minimum penalties
The result is that among the hardened
criminals in our prisOns-the professional
law-breakers-are many men who are not
az heart vicious, and are rather the victims
of circumstances than of any inherent bad
ness o. disposition or temperament.
system by which such prisoners can be re-
leased as soon as the prison authorities
have reasonable ground for believing It
entirely safe 10 allow them at large is not
only sound in theory, but its virtue has
been demonstrated in practice. Under the
Ohio law prisoners of this class are
allowed to leave the penitentiary after
a reasonable confinement, provided en-
ploynent is assured them. They are re-
quired to report to the authorities from
time to time, as under the British ticket
of leave system, and until such time a.
they receive their final discharge from sur
VIGILANCE. On the other hand, little mercy
is shown to professional criminals. Men
Who are convicted the second or third
time OF crimes against person or property
become, practically, life prisoners. And
this is as it should be. There is really no
hope OF reforming a man who is sent to
prison for a second term. and there is no
sense in turning him loose to prey upon
society.
We hope that the next legislature will
give earnest attention to this great ques-
ton Of reform in our penal system. We
are a quarter OF century behind other
states in this matter, and we trust that
the next legislature will put us fully
abreast Of the most advanced of them.
The Age OF Democracy.
The exannnIe of Brazil rrornises IN h.