The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-01-08
OHAUTAUQUA
CHAUTAUQUA IN PRISON

CHAUTAUQUA IN PRISON
The Daily Nebraska State Journal in its annual
"'write up of state institutions devotes four col
umns to the penitentiary. and one column Of this
matter is concerning the prison Chautauqua work.
The prison is said to be in excellent discipline
and Warden Hopkins attributes this largely to
the good influence of the Chautauqua circle. and
he says that not one member of the circle has
been reproved or punished. The success of the
prison circle is due mainly to the interest the Lin.
coin Chautauqua circle has taken in it, After
few preliminary remarks the Journal goes on to
say:
Probably all of our readers know something
OF the systematic course of readings being
pursued by members of the Chautauqua Literary
an Scientific Circle. all over the world
In 1889 few members of the circle in Lincoln
were moved to try the experiment of introducing
the same course of readings among such of the
prisoners, if any. might be disposed to under.
take it. Permission obtained from the War.
den. and class of forty.eight members was
started and pursued the course of reading for
that year. This year the number is increased to
f1fty-four.
The work is conducted under the supervision Of
a few of the Lincoln Chautauqua, quietly, but
systematically and thoroughly, with a measure of
success beyond their expectations and with tan
gble results for good already dev eloped. which
have for it the favor of those most conversant
with the interior affairs of the prison. 1t has the cor
dial approval and hearty cooperation of the war
den. whose testimony now to us is that its bene-
fcal effects are plainly to be seen in many drec.
tions-in the improved discipline of the men-the
stimuant to selfrespect readiness and even
ambition to accomplish we'll their daily tasks, and
with several whose term has expired and with
not a few who remain. their honest earnest pur-
pose to take their places in the world as honest,
industrious men. Many of the letters from these
mon to their friends, all Of which pass through
the wardens hands, contain unmistakable evi.
dence that the Chautauqua influence is strongly
felt
Tho work is unpretentious; its aim being simply
to help such Of these as are disposed to avail
Of ito help themselves, and this too, without
in the least trespassng upon rules and regulations
or the strict discipline of the prison. Stone walls
are by no means the dividing lines between the
good and bad. There are at present about 400 in.
mates in this penitentiary. They represent
great variety of character There are the vicious
and depraved of all degrees. doubtless some des-
perately bad men. and there men there of in.
tellgence and ability. not viciously disposed but
WIN III Ill evil NOur nave ylelQoQ TO temptation
and committed crimes for which they are now suf.
fering the just penalty Of the law. These men
are some day to come out into the world again.
1t is pretty cold world. very cold-for the man
who has been behind stone walls-and even if he
is disposed to be honest man. it needs all the
courage he can muster and all the help that hui
mainly and Christianity can bestow to secure for
him place among men and the means of subsist.
ence.
Lett to themselves most of these men would
probably be treated outcasts, and as such
would have little ambition for other than evil as.
sociates and lives of vice and crime, a terror and
an expense to the community.
Some of these men can be saved-to themselves
their families and the world. Is it not an impor.
tant item in the matter of political economy-to
consider of and do something about it?
The work of the Chautauquans with these men
in the state penitentary is directly in this line;
but it is only trifle compared with what might
be done and, it would seem. ought to be done; and
certainly the measure of success and the good re.
suits which are apparent from their efforts should
afford stimulant and encouragement for some
thing on more extended SCALE 1t is to be hoped
that in some form the whole matter of the con.
duct and management of the prison may be
brought before our legislature for consideration
and action.
In these days it is well settled fact that many
OF the criminal class can be reformed, and 1t is
plainly demonstrated that while the original pur.
pose Of prisons is punishment. reformation may
go hand in hand with punishment. 1t has been
well said that "the only kind of punishment that
avails any thing as retormatory is that which
creates in man self-respect, ambition and love
for his fellow men. Degrade his mind and you
degrade his conduct; elevate his mind and you.
elevate his conduct and increase his self respect
as well as to make him a respecter of Others"
Is 1t not the fault ofmost of the prisons that