The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-12-03

man: brutality and inhumanity degrade and
crush him. 'Spare the rod and spoil the
child" is an old prOverb. but it is not true.
When went to school was punished with
{the rule or CAD. Teachers do not use those
instruments Of torture to day, but show the
child wherein it is wrong and what the con.
sequence will be. Major Salter, ex warden
of the Chester Ill.) penitentary, a kind
and humane man. said that the more privi-
leges the men had the less punishment he
had to inf1ict and the more cheerfully they
performed their work. He tried both ways
during his seven years in office. The last
two years he established '.sociable" for all
the prisoners-about 6OO-in the chapel
three nights of each week. They had a
convict band. played checkers and dominos.
They had good time in general for two
and a half hours. He was we'll pleased
with the outcome. He had 100 outside of
the walls at time, and but two men be-
trayed his confidence. EX Warden Cross
ley Of the Iowa pententiary tried refOrma.
tion on the same plan. Although strict
man, he believed in reformation through
kindness. could name several more who
hold similar views.
Every convict has some object in life.
Kill ambition and you kill The man. Let the
convict know that you have his individual
welfare at heart, then you are in fair way
to gaining reformatory power over HIM.
A man cast into prison for term of years
goes through the same routine every day.
There is nothing to look forward to except
his release and few paltry dollars. He
becomes hardened. For instance, his near
friend comes to see him: they meet and shed
tears. They separate; the friend returns to
society and the world. the convict goes back
to his task. After month or two they
meet again; the friend weeps; the convict
does not. Why this change? 1t is because
the convict has become hardened. He be
comes more so as time goes on. His sen
tence expires; he goes out into the world.
What shall he do? If his history is known
he cannot get work.
Society has established Prisoners Aid so,
cieties. A leader in one of these societies
advertised for a cOachman, and an ex con-
vict answered in person. The ''socety
leader asked for his reference. He an.
swered, Il am good hOstler. and l want
work. Give me a trial?"' The ''society
leader wanted references. The ex con.
vict replied. my references are at Jol-
iet." The society leader took out $40
bill. and. handing it to the ex convict. said:
Take this, my man. and may God bless
you. l don't think will employ coach
man. for l have plenty of time myself" !"
He did not want to trust his horses with an
ex. convict. So much for those who love the
ex convict
What practical work can be done for the
convict? After prisoner has served a por
tion of his time. during which he has been
allowed per cent of his earnings, turn him
out on parole and put him at some work for
which he is fitted. Hold back portion of
his prison earnings until his final discharge.
Surround him with Christian influences.
for it is one of the most powerful agencies
in reform. If man studies the Bible and
lives near its teachings he is in little danger
of getting into prison. You say the pa
rolled man will betray the states trust. Re-
member. he is released on conditions, is, in
fact, only trusty. BY the Bertlllion sys-
tenn of Identification it is made almost inn
possible for man to escape. and if he
should escape. his earnings held would help
pay the cost of his recapture. If he lives
up to the conditions of his parole, at the
end of his sentence. minus good time. give
him the money held back from his earnings
with which to start independent life anew.
During his probation he has learned how to
work for himself and has formed regular
habits. He has been making man of him
self while preparing for liberty. l know
men in the East who owe their salvation to
the fact of their having been sent from priS-
on under the protection of parole.
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