The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-03-02
SALTWATER, MINNESOTA, MARCH 2, 1898.

obtains casual employment, he is never
safe from the jealous espionage or vim
dictive annoyance of meddlesome in
former or former dissolute associate.
He is cOld-shOuldered by the quasi
professor or would-be respectable citi-
zen. He is socially boycotted, friend
less and without resource. other than
that supplied by his rapidly diminish
ing wallet. He sees no alternative be-
fore him but positive starvation or
return to crime! This is no over
charged picture-it is the narrowing
experience of hundreds and thousands
of the unhappy, friendless wretches
daily discharged from prison gates, in
Christian communities prOfeSSedly fol-
lowing the dictates of that Divine Mas
ter who said: "Let him who is without
sin cast the first stone"
The fSSt and most important outside
auxiliary to the Parole System, is a
properly organized employment agency,
and industrial home, wherein the ex
convict can obtain immediate employ
.ment at current rates until suitable
is found for him else
where, and from whence he can obtain
a passport to more permanent Occupa
tiOn, without fear of interruption, so
long as his own conduct shall remain
blameless. Connected with this, direct
ly or indirectly, there should be respect
able boarding houses, where decent
board and lodging could be obtained,
at little over cost price, and where he
could be protected from evil associa-
tiOns or doubtful surroundings, and so
regulated as to make late hours or i'm
proper cOmpaniOnship an impOssibility.
There is, however, a still greater dan
ger which the eX-prisOner has to en-
.cOunter-and that is adequate provi
sion for his hours of leisure or recrea-
tiOn. The long wOrk-d day evenings aft
er six o'clock and the Sunday and holi-
day hold out to the lonely, friendless
man temptations the power of which
those experiencing the happiness of the
family circle and the advantages of the
Public Library or Lecture Hall cannot
form a conception. Why should the
honest and earnest seeker after better
life be denied these pleasures? The
work of reform initiated within prison
walls, and developed by the parole and
renumerative employment, must be
supplemented by cOngenial social asso-
Citations, Open-hearted, cordial friend
ships, and brOtherly conferences other
wise all the previous efforts at rein
statement of the wandering brother are
worse than fruitless. A hearty hand
grasp and cordial welcome to the ele-
waiting influences of the family fireSide
and the social assembly, is of greater
intrinsic value and efficacy to the re-
pentant returning prOdigal than all
the OstentatiOus professions and cold,
cheerleSs offers of pecuniary assistance
which some philanthropists so profuse-
ly put forth.
If, as we have said an effective Pa
role System, founded on the principles
enunciated in the parable of the Good
Samaritan, be carried out and enforced,
supplemented by these necessary pro-
visions for the reception, sustenance
and protection of the discharged pris-
oner-if this system should be perma-
nently organized in every State in the
Union, our criminal population would
speedily be reduced to One-tenth it's pres
ent magnitude; two thirds Of our prisons
and pOOr-farms would be transformed
into hives of honest industry. the ranks
of our skilled artisans, and other indus
tries, would be augmented by hosts of
willing workers, and the United States
of America would become the ideal
home of the honest searcher after hap
piness, prosperity and social harmony.
CharleStoWn, Mass. F. j. G.