The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-05-16
The New DispensatiOn.

time. abruptly left off at the section which pro-
vides for diminuton of sentence a consequence
of good behavior A comparison of this portion
of the new law. with the sect on of the old law
which related to the same matter may not prove
very interesting. but will show wherein they are
dissimilar. For instance: under the cd law,
convict serving sentence of one year, would, by
comply ing with its provisions, be entitled to his
release at the expiration OF ten months and FIVE
days;wherea under the new, ten months and nine
days must elapse ere he can claim his discharge.
The two-year convict under the old order of things
could abbreviate his sentence to twenty months
and five days; now, b. pursuing the same course.
he may complete his journey in twenty m 'nths
and one day; the three year convict. who behaved
himself, formerly occupied thirty months and five
days. in reaching the end he had in view, while,
now. by combining himself to the straight and
path, he may arrive at the des red point. in
twenty nine months and inc days; the four-year
cor vict, cOud in days of yoce, by paying strict
attention to his demeanor, congratulate himself
being absolutely certain of his freedom after
serving forty months and five days. now it is made
possible for him, by maintaining the same degree
of exclusiveness in his behavior to sever the
pleasant relations that exist between himself and
the state in period of thirty eight months and
reached. the diminuton under the new law.
mains the same for each successive year of those
serving longer sentence. viz: four lthreel
months for each year of service.
Further on IN IA law provid ng for the transfer
of convcts from the state prison to the state
formatory there is a paragraph which reads
follows: provided, that no life convict shall be
transferred from the state prison to the state re-
formatOrv untiI he shall have first served a term
in the state prison of at least twenty-one years.
less the diminution which would have been al
lowed by the law for good conduct had he been
sentenced for a term of twenty-one years. Thus
we see that there is faint hope of liberty held
out to the life convict. who, after enduring
ordeal here of fifteen years, eleven months and
nine da IS, may be transferred to the refOrma-
tory where, after undergoing another period of
detention, he may, subject to the approval and
authority Of the governor. be paroed but such
Wet shall remain in legal custody of the board of
managers and be subject at any time to be taken
back to prison during the term of his natural life.
unless the governor shall sooner issue pardon
for such convict. Taken as a whole, the law,
far have review ed it, is certainly an improve
ment compared to the one heretofore force,
but the provision which deals with the life con-
vct appears to be unneeessar ly stringent, and he
is subjected to a discrimination which should not
exist Why should he be debarred from enjoy
ing a privilege freely extended to his
felow-cOnvict? Just consider the facts
of the Here is man who may
have led. for many years. blameess life;
in unguarded moment and probably under
great provocat;on, he commits a deed for which
the penalty is fe imprisonment. After conduct
ing himself with unquestionable decorum for a
period of sixteen years in the state prison. he be-
comes eligible to be transferred to the crucible of
the state reformatory to go through another sys-
tenn of purgng and purifying. He may have to
rema in in the latter refinery until he is tottering
to the grave by reason of the infrmities of old
age when life is hardly worth living before he is
allowed to go out into the world even then he is
under the vigant eye of the authorities, kept
lowering around the precincts of the refners fur
mace and is liable to be called upon at any mo-
ment to return and undergo another system of
pur .fcaton and reformation. This part of the
law certainly calls for longevity, and for man to
be put through the various excruciating or6eals,
then cast out upon the world labelled mot yet
purified is inconsistent with the dictates of hui
manity. There are numerous cases where the I'M
fortunate cow. ct, who has life sentence hang
ing over him. has through good conduct and cred.
liable behavior behind the bars gwen ample proof
that he is entitled to the same benefits which are
SO literally allowed his brethren serving shorter
sentences. For the benefit of those who may not
be aware of the fact. wish to state that tn law
approved April "a, 1SS9,so think they are safe
in basing their calculations from that date
AsI have no wish to monopolize the columns of
our paper with voluminous articles and am of the
opinion that to make sheet palatable to
numerous readers, there should be variety of
matter, l will postpone the further discussion of
other important features OF the law until future
issue. TAMMANY.
We will not vouch for the correctness of the
above figures as there several methods of COM
putting the amount of good time earned and it is