The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-11-28


tain that the man is sane. and his perver-
sity is born of real stubbornness and will
fulnesS, and the punishment begins with
simple deprivation of privilege and admO-
milton, which fails i'm the effect. and sever
tiles are continually added, coupled with
persuasion, no thought in it of effect ON
other men. no thought of what the man de-
serves, but only to get him right, to cor
rect. to make it possible to live with him,
doubt if even the proper line could be
passed.
Seventies must continue until compliance
and must stop at compliance, and this must
be had.
l believe this principle incorporated into
the criminal procedure of the state would
be very helpful. but l believe them abso
lutely essential to the proper management of
a criminal population when in confinement.
We have at this point. then. motive for
effort, and punishment for correction only.
If5the motive could, under the law, be
made to involve liberty as in the case of an
indefinite sentence, it would certainly be
operative at every stage of character devel-
Opnlent. If it is not, the granting of eX-
tended privileges must take its place.
These should be granted in such way as
to leave the undOubted conviction in the
inmates mind, of real interest in his well
fare; and in order to have this appear
true to him. it must in reality be true; and
thus. in addition securing the observance
of such rules as refer to good Older. some
effect could be obtained (at least upon the
more intellgent) to real and permanent
betterment. Besides the mere observance
of good order, if done with cheerfulneSS, as
the result of interest to himself, may con-
tribute in measure, to fix the habit. At
least it elevateS the motive from fear to in
terest, which is a gain, and it obtains the
good order necessary in a prison mainly
without coercion, in which there is GER
tainly no character changes. There is no
Intelligence in force. A, prison managed
by coercion requires very little experience
and scarcely any intelligence. 1t requires
no very great mental development to hand
cuff prisoner to grated door. nor does 1t
require an extended knowledge of the great
principles which should govern human con-
duct to inflict physical suffering in any way
to so terrOiZe man AS to compel obedience
Punishment may, indeed is sometimes
necessary in prison, but it should be applied
as a dernier resort. and because persuasion
has failed. 1t does require intelligence
to teach men right ways and induce them to
comply. 1t requires thorough knowledge
of proper human conduct to teach it to other
men. and no man can impress it upon Others
unless he lives it himself. 1t is essential to
the character of a teacher of morals that he
is himself moral. He must add example to
precept. 1t is therefore necessary that
every officer be a man of at least fair NOR
ais. While they may not all be teachers.
their conduct with the men should tend to
elevate. They should be fair men, just at
all times and never vindictive. Officers
who have had experience are certainly de-
sirable if their experience has educated
them.
The mOnOtOnOus performance of duties
in prison without thought is not neces-
Sarily beneficial, nor is experience i'm keep
ing prisoners necessarily experience in re-
forming them. With these conditions, and
with officers trained to their duty, believe
large prison can be managed with very
little punishment.
The warden himself should patiently in
vestigate every report for violation. If
men are brought from the shop under great
excitement. or if during the investigation be-
come excited. they had best be locked up for
day. possibly two. Let them be calm and
at their best. look into every mans face
and hear him talk. before l order him pun
ished, and l regard it great opportunity
to educate him. l must study his charac-
ter and temperament carefully that l may
be prepared to prescribe the proper RENE
dies. Corporal punishment should certainly
be avoided if possible. but under no circum-
stances should it be inflicted upon highly
sensitive or emotional types. The Op-
Grafton is intended to cure the man
of those characteristics which have
caused him to violate. and such seventies
can never be used with effect, except it may
be upon the blOOdlesS, debased class whose
sensitveness has been so completely scared
as to be practically gone. My talk to him
is long and earnest. No matter about the
time taken. If the work is done right, it
will save time in future. He expected harsh
ness but finds that only desire to teach