The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-02-13
What We Need.


The education of the convict as a means
of reformation has many advocates, and
while education is of course desirable, 1
cannot see that the mere rudments of an
educatiOn-and for more than this there is
no provision made-can have much influ.
ence for good in the formation of moral
character. Instead of establishing school
for the purpose of teaching the more Hitter
ate their c's by modification of the
prison rules higher and better education
could be taught an education in right prin-
ciples. which really determines the true
value OF man.
In penal institutions where strict dsci.
pline is maintained, the prisoner loses all
individuality the moment he dOns the prison
uniform, and in prisons where any cOnsid-
cradle number are confined you will find
men of nearly all natiOnalities and every
degree OF early moral-or lack of moral
training; every degree of learning from the
wholly ilIiterate to the college graduate. and
one intlexble set of rules for the govern
ment of the whole. This. l think, is one of
the greatest evils in prison management. for
under such conditions the prisoner loses all
governed by the will of others; and if his
term of imprisonment is of long duration.
when he is liberated he begins again the
battle of life characterless being without
the courage to say NO. but weakly assent
ing to everything. His weak nature needs
support, counsellor, a guide. Stunned
by the better class of society he finds com
paniOnShip among the lawless, and is led
again into criminal practices. becomes an
habitual criminal, ends his wretched exis
tence in prison or an insane asylum. and
another victim is added to the long list to
prove that the highly eulog zed discipI nary
methods in vogue in our penal institutions
area failure.
Discipline is essential in the government
of any body of men. and in PRISON disci
pline is necessary to protect and encourage
those who are striving to do right; but,
when a prisoner is guilty of serious infrac-
tiOn of the prison rules, he alone should
suffer. and not those who are blameleSS as
is the case by the enforcement of a system
of discipline that sends the prisoner to a
dungeon should he follow natural impulse
and speak to a fellow prisoner when his
heart craved for human sympathy. If it is
the purpose to reclaim the criminal. i'm
prove him and lead him to life of honest
labor. show to him that on his individual
conduct alone depends his good or i'll treat
ment and he will soon acquire manly habits.
Teach him self-reliance. teach him to take
pride in doing his work in a painstaking
manner; and with these habits firmly fixed,
when the dawn of freedom comes to HIM. a
MAN with erect carriage. an honest purpose
and strength of will to follow his conviction
of right. will go out into the world to take
his rightful place in the ranks of honest
labor.
Elk Warden StOrdOck once said that no
man went out from prison the same as he
entered it; he was either better man or
worse one.
1t surely is not the purpose of imprison-
system of class ficatiOn that would encour-
age men in well doing have tendency to
make men better? Frederick Gerhard in
his book THE Coming Greed of the
World" saysr LAS long as man lives. even
after life of depravty. his better self may
bring forth fresh leaf and fresh blossoms.
A man can always turn to the right path
entertain noble thoughts. conceive noble
emotions. and do kind actions. No. we
should never lose faith in the reformation
OF any man. Frequently it has only been
one careless hour. one little step from the
path of virtue that has ruined whole life
that might have been one of honor and hap
pineSS. The path of evil leads quickly
downward; but to return is difficult be-
cause that leads upward" M.
Two Opinions.