The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-02-06
The Grading System.

Classification of the inmates is a neces-
sity in every prison. The end sought by
the spirit of our 1aws-the reformation of
the criminal-cannot be reached unless
some systematic method of grading prisoners
is adopted. It matters not what the evil
surroundings of prison may be, a certain
class of men will lead honest lives after
serving term IN one. They are not re-
formed because the management of the
prison had tendency to assist them in that
respect, nor is it because their incarceration
terrorized them; but simply because they
were originally led to the committal of crime
through thOughtlessness of the offense and
its attendant results. Such men are re-
formed. or to speak more expressively, are
cured of all crimnality the first day they
pass in Jail.
1t will follow that reformations of this
description are not attributable to the bene-
fetal system upon which a prison is man.
aged. Men whose natural bent is to live
honestly very often in their young days
commit crime that must be eXpiated and,
in most instances there is not the slightest
danger of their being injured to crime no
matter how degrading the effects of their
added here parenthetically. that this fact
of many men being 'cured" after spending
term even in the most poorly conducted
prisons has disseminated the idea that no
more advanced methods than simple cOntine-
ment and the usual prison routine IS neces-
Sary to affect decrease in crime, and thus has
delayed the general trial of the most advan-
tageOuS mode of leSsening crime-the
grading system.
TO detail all the good effects of classify.
ing prisoners is unnecessary here. The
system is in use in all the principal reform
atOries' of the country, and the managers of
these institutions are unit in their high
praise of its good results. To begin with,
it gives men strong incentive to rise. to
evolve above their present condition. Re.
ward. good words and gentlemanly treat
ment are held up to them if they will but try
to benefit themselves. They are offered the
chance to tit themselves to mingle with re-
spectacle people if they will but make the
slightest exertiOn. Their ambition is
pqued their pride and self respect is
aroused, and certain it is that if there is any
latent manhood within them it will be
worked into activity.
In the outside world there are three rec
ognized' classes in all things-in wealth, in
social standing, business ability, labor and
even in religion. The best. the medium,
and the poorest or worst are ever distinctly
present. This is in the active the real
world. for which prisons are intended to
prepare the wavward. Then why not clas-
sify in somewhat similar manner the in
mates Of these preparatory schools? Let
each have a chance to raise himself or her.
self to standing they would like to hold
on the outside wOrld--nOt by knavery, cum
ningness or what they actually accomplish,
but by what they sincerely TRY to accom-
plsh.
We do not believe in spreading wordy-
administrative sympathy too thickly on the
cOnvict's bread. but we do believe in put
ting into practice the best possible method
of attaining all end desired by all loyal and
law respecting peOple-the regeneration of
the criminal class. And at present the
best known means to that end is the grad
ing system and its accompanying principles.
RONDA.