The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-07
A PAROLE SYSTEM BILL.


Young in the Assembly, have introduced
bill to establish u prisoners parole sys-
tenn, which is worthy measure and
ought to become law.
IL should be understood, in the outset,
that the purposes of parole system are
threshold. First, TO reduce prison ex-
penses; second, to encourage the
reclaimable to lead honest and
useful lives and to protect them
from the vicious discharged convicts,
who blaclSmail and persecute them;
third. to protect the community from tho
effects of discharges of couvicts without
assistance or inducement TO reform.
II will be conceded that these are de-
sirable ends. Our prisons are of enor-
nous cost to the people and are over
crowded: the discharged convict, though
under the law he has eNpiated his crime,
is an outlaw. If he secures employment
and endeavors to earn an honest living, an
old prison companion is certain TO come
60 him and threaten TO reveal the fact that
he has served in prison and thus work
his discharge from employment unless
he pays the rascal for his silence. Very
often the police notify employers that
they have with them man to he watched.
and the unfortunate is again set adrift.
Very often. also, convicts compel the
man to join with them in criminal expe-
ditions under threat to give them
away" Thus badgered and blactmailed,
driven from one place to another, refused
employment, Swallowed and threatened
by over-oflioious police officers. with
every mans hand seemingly against him.
the man at last concludes that il is useless
TO spur against fate. returns to GRIM
malls life and again prcys upon society.
The iohiect of punishment by impris-
onment is four-fold, the sequestratien of
the criminal for the protection of society;
expiration by discipline aud deprivation
OF liberty; to deter others from lawless-
ness by fear OF punishment; lastly. to
work the reclamation OF the prisoner 10y
teaching him that he can live without I'M
diligence of the passions, without resort
10 intoxicants, and that he must subonii-
nate his desires 20 reason and submit to
authority, aud that by such submission
he gains reward in the form of credits
that lessen The severity and term of his
imprisonment,
Whatever, therefore, viii aid in the ac-
cornplishment of the end specified under
the fourth head. it is wise for the State to
adopt, and the parole system is means
TO such end. In fact the parole plan is
an extension of the credit system alresiy
successful under our laws. The same
purpose and thought underlie both sys-
TENS. Ohio adopted the parole system
four years ago, and il has proved quite as
successful as was anticipated, but will he
greatly more efficient and beneheent as
il grows in age.
Ii is not necessary. TO so into extended
detail in explanation of the bill before
the Legislasare-it Will suffice to say that
il provides for number of grades of
prisoners FOR its purpose, dependent upon
the length OF sentence. Where the
Parole Board. raised by the bill, and the
Wariens and physician OF the State
prisons determine that convict is one
who is reforming snd may be safely
parTioned, and is one who has served out
fha minimum, xs,,,., As .s.,,,,.,,,. 49,
vided by law for punishment for the
crime of which the man was convicted.
the bosra may direct his Discharge. But
he does not gain absolute liberty. he goes
out into the world under State snrveil-
lance: he can be retaSen and returned 10
prison at any time He passes into
quasi freedom while remaining in legal
custody, but while free. by good conduct,
he gains the same credit TO which he
would have been entitled had he re-
manned in prison and earned them.
The Parole Board viii provide rules
and regulations for the government of
the conduct of the parolea prisoner.
Thus, in Ohio the man must report
monthly. or even weekly, where he is: he
must present himself q; stated periods to
The Chief of Police or Sheriff OF his dis
srict aud have his pass Endorsed; he must
render an account of his earnings and
how he spends thens he must not visit
saloons or indulge in drink. nor eonsoyt
with the criminal class, nor commit