The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-02-06
Saltwater, Minn., Thursday, Feb. 6, 1890.
Our Condition and Needs.

Our Condition and Needs.
One of the principal questions to be
studied by the philosophical mind IS the fut-
ure of the criminal. In the aggregate
about one third are purely accidental SUBJ
jects, who are mostly competent to care for
themselves as citizens. The others need
assistance according to their lack of man.
ual, literary and moral knowledge. Use
full education. which is the foundation of
all practicability. is greatly needed. Many
read hundreds of volumes of instructive lit
erature deriving scarcely any benefit from
the authors teaching. for the want of prac-
tical knowledge. not understanding what
they read; simply wasting precious time,
creating dangerous habit of uselessness
that predominates over all else. Their bad
habits in many instances clog their inclina-
tions for self improvement
But the lack of manual skill is the great
est obstacle to be overcome in the advance
ment of the criminal class. Many assume
to understand what is right. yet for the
want of sufficient energy-whch is lost or
dOrmant-Or for the want of proper induce
mentS and instruction, fail to do right.
The fact that many prisoners are con-
fined for a second or third term is ample
proof that they are incapable of maintain
ing themselves A person may be physic-
ally strong, and yet be very weak in that
which will enable him to sustain himself;
and that the general criminal Is morally
weak is a fact. In view of all this. and
much more. the future condition and dis
position of the convict, who is worthless to
il, OH of Nd h,,r-
den on society. should be studied that sOci-
ETY. may be protected and stop put to the
increase of crime. To accomplish this the
criminal must be transformed into pro-
ductive factor of society. Commercial or
professional knowledge. will not benefit
him much because positions in these pur.
suits do not open readily to ex cOnvicts;
and these foolish ideas are what strand so
many young men who have some smatter-
ing knowledge which they believe ought to
enable them to live without manual labor.
Literary education is needed very much,
such as will change the action of the mind
to better and higher thoughts. Mathemat-
les should be we'll taught, for in all indus
tries it is fundamental necessity. An
arithmetical education is sufficient CONNER
cial knowledge. A dependent eX-cOnvict
without the will and ability to engage in
manual industries is almost sure to become
a criminal again from sheer necessity.
Laws have been enacted to partially rem
edy this. but have not been enforced to
any great extent.
When society has learned that the way to
purge itself of crime is to educate the GRIM
inal. especially in manual knowledge so that
on his release he may be able to at once en-
gage understandingly in some industry,
there will be fifty per cent less of crime
and a propOrtionate reduction in the cost of
criminal prosecutions. A man who profits
by his education must do tiff a prisoner
in connection with manual industry.
Criminals cannot be reformed by slave
treatment but must be given opportunities
to replace true manhood. that will place
them on an equal industrial footing with
others who have never fallen from grace.
To fit the prisoner to become all industri-
Gus citizen. thoroughly educate him in
moral and industrial science. G.