The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-06-30
Peculiar COnvfcts.

1t seems almost incredible that a man
who had served long term in the peniten-
tary would refuse to. leave when his sen.
tence expired. but such cases are not un.
common. Not long since man who had
completed a ten years. sentence asked per-
mission to remain while longer. He had
no friends nor money and did not want to
be thrown out upon the world in midwin-
ter. He did not know where to 60 or what
to do. and feared under such circumstances
he might be tempted to commit another
crime. This he did not want to do. He
said he had experienced change of heart
during his Imprisonment and had resolved
to lead all honest life hereafter. and believ.
ing "idleneSS leads to crime" did not want
to 60 out till the weather was so he could
go to work. He was allowed to remain.
but finally some of the officials who took an
interest in him secured him a job of work
and he went out. He is staying close by
his work. is making good honest living,
and is now more determined than ever to
lead an honest life during the remainder of
his days. He can not now understand why
any one should ever commit felony.
Speaking of this case the other day,
gentleman said: - A majority of cOnvicts
think they will live honest lives when they
get out. Some. who have friends to look
after them, do; but others. who are thrown
on the world branded 'ex-cOnvct.' have
tough tme of it, and it is not to be won
dered at that they again commit crimes.
When they are released they are furnished
transportation to the county from which
they came. They have no money. and. with
| ohS ~ n hat
will become of them. Everybody knows
they are ex convicts. and. as they have no
one to recommend them. they have hard
| time securing employment. People are
naturally suspicious, of them. They finally
become discouraged and in their desperation
commit crime, are hunted down by the
officers and sent back to prison. While
this is the case with some there are others
who would not lead an honest life if they
could. and could not if they would. They
are natural born criminals and nothing else
can be made of them. They never prom
Use to do better. but instead say they intend
to 60 at their old trade as soon as they get
out of prison. They say they have always
been crooks and always will be. For in.
stance. pick pocket. who served in nearly
everv penitentiary in the United States.
boldly says he will always be pick pocket
and take his chances.
but in order to give those chance who
desire to reform this state lacks something.
That is home of industry for eX cOnvicts.
Then when prisoner is released he goes to
this home. where he works for wages.
When he demonstrates he is willing and
can work an effort is made to secure him
employment elsewhere. If employment
cannot be found for him Immediately he
has home anyhow and is making little
money, while at the same time the home is
profiting by his labor. He may have friends
in remote part of the country who would
help him if he could get to them. He does
not want them to know where he has been.
He stays in this home till he has earned
enough money to get to his friends. They
receive him with open arms. render him as
sistance. and he becomes useful citizen.
l do not mean all cOnvlcts would do this.
but some OF them would, and the home
would be self. sustaining.
II could 60 back over the records of
nearly half century ago and show you the
names of men who have served In the Ohio
penitentary and who are now among the
most substantial men of the state. There
is prominent and highly respected. SUBJ
stantial business man in Licking county
who served term away back in the fOrtieS.
None of his neighbOrs know he was ever in
the penitentiary. He has an interesting
family. and of course they are ignorant of
the misfortune which once befell him. l
am personally acquainted with this man
and know he is leading an exemplary life."
Ohio State journal.