The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-01-11
PRISONS AND PRISON REFORM.


Ex-Governor Gray's Message Endorsed on
the Latter Point.
1t will be a severe task for any person 10 find
better regulated prisons than those located 10
Indiana. The wsrdens are true discipline
rians, but they also humane. So far as 1
have been able to discover. all financial trans
actions have been promptly reported to tie
auditor OF state, IS required by law.
Perfect sanitary conditions cannot be effected
in any prison where it is 80 crowded as to re-
quire two prisoners to occupy one cell. Be-
sides, i is demoralizing aud unjust The food
provided Is wholesome, well prepared and
sufficient The northern prison 10 in great need
OF repairs. After special examination OF the
institution and its needs, ur1e you to consider
Warden Frenoh's statements not sparing his
estimates a dollar. The wall now in process of
construction at the southern prison is one Of
the most formidable. and at the same time at
tractiye, to be found in the United states. Al
most every stone and brick has been laid under
War len Patton's eye.
wish to indoTse most earnestly that portion
OF Ex-Governor Gray's message on the subject
OF Prison Reform" delivered before the legis-
lature in 1889, which was as follows:
The constitution OF the state provides that
"the penal code shall be founded on the princi-
pies of reformation and not of vindlctiye JUS
nce; that cruel and unjust punishment shall
not be Inflicted; that all penalties shall be pro-
pOrtioned to the nature OF the offense," yet our
penal aystem and penal code and especially
the manner in which the latter is administered,
could hardly be further from acompliance
with those wise aud humane provisions OF our
constitution. Nearly every day our courts are
sentencing to the penitentiary young men I'M
der twenty-one years Of age, in many instances
their first Otiense, and in many cases the of
tense technical one. Hundreds are sent TO
the penitentiary by courts and juries merely for
the purpose OF saving the county from the ex-
pense of Jail sentence, which would have
Ueen ample punishment for the crime com
mitted, thereby blasting their character for
ever and increasing the number OF the criminal
class. as well as iutilctng punishment in vjo-
letiOn Of the above provisions of our constitu-
ton. Iwo-thirds of the prisoners of our
state prisons are under thirty
years OF age. To expect to reform
this class OF prisoners by q forced asso-
citation with hundreds OF hardened and con-
irmed criminals, murderers thieves and coun-
terieiters would be to reason that evil associa-
tons do not cOntamnste or corrupt Those
who have had experience in the management
OF prisons. and also those who have given care
full attention TO the impress made upon the
character OF the young convict, testify TO the
hurtlul influence OF the aggregate prison sys-
tom, and the almost impossibility of eilectng a
reformation; for, however excellent the char
aoteT OF the young man may have been prior to
his conviction, or however real his intentions
may be TO reform while a prisoner, yet when
discharged he finds that the world does not
look kindly on al ex-penitentary convict. IL
lS with great difficulty he obtains honorable
employment and finds still greater difficulty
In gaining admissl n to good society. The ig-
nomny OF the penitentiary convict follows
him like destroy NJ angel wherever he goes.
An administration of criminal Justice that
visits on the young and first offender
such terrible punishment for q slight
ohense, a punishment that ends only with
death and dsprives him from obtaining honor
able employment and the as collation. of reputa-
bic persons, Is disgrace TO christian civilization,
mockery of the administration of justice,
and sad commentary upon statesmansnlp.
During nv term | Lave cOmmuted the prison
sentences of forty boys to commitment TO the
Reform school The board of control, in its
report. says that only four of sAd boys have
shown themselves unworthy OF executive
clemency. If the state not at this time so
buTdened with the expense of the construction
Of so many new build ngs, would earnestly
recommend the establishment OF an institution
to be called by some such name as an indus
trial school," for the confinement of such con-
victs aud of those guilty of their first offense,
whose former character had been good, in or
der that they might have at least one chance to
return to the path OF rectitude aud to the
favorable recognition OF their lsllowmen.
Pardons.
The power vested in the governor by the
constitution to grant pardons. reprieves. COM
mutations and remissions brings to the ex-
ecutiye his most onerOus and perplexing du-
ties. la our penal institutions we have nearly
| two thousand inmates, and very large per-
| centage OF whom have applications on file for
executive clemency. With a nse of duty for
| the best interests OF the public peace aud to
| protect the honor and dignity of the law
| against crime and with purpose to subservs
| she best interest OF society the many appeals
al -
| power and TO set aside the verdicts of the
| courts at times becomes 70 him a problem
! most difficult to solve.
During my inoumbency of the governors
| office have ever endeavored to be just to all
| Interests concerned and the demands made
upon me have been so many that have been
compelled 10 give more time to this line Of
/ business than should have been occupied
/ am firmly convinced thnt the executive should
/ have assistance in the consideration Of appli-
/ cations for pardons end / recommend that a
| law be passed authorizing him TO appoint a
commission OF such number as may be
| thought best. whose duty il will be TO sit with
| the governor ct stated times and hear all mat
tiers pertaining 20 pardons.
] IL ia believed by many that the governor of
Indiana is not paid enough for his services.
| Indiana is amply able to be more generous in
c0mpeDsatng her executive, aud whether il is
thought advisable at this time to increase his
| salary. ! trust your honorable body will pass a
| law making appropriation for the purchase of
q mansion for the use Of the governor. Nearly
every state in the union makes this provision
/ and u is In keeping with the dignity and re-
/ quIremsDts of the head of our state govern.
ment The state owns vacant land near the
! city which could be sold and the proceeds used
| for this purpose, IL il is not deemed best to
make special appropriation for il.
Township Trustees.
The recommendations of Governor Alvin p.
Hovey in his last message upon this subject
failed to find any response in the proceedings
of the last legislature. The reason OF no action
could not have been because Of its non.import-
ance. III he were living he would reiterats his
recommendation in stronger terms. Trans
actions by either incompetent or consci-
enceiess trustees have come to public no.
tice. which causes me TO urge upon you
to pass a Law limiting the power OF the
trustee in making contracts IL lie believed
that no one official of the state has such I'M
limited control OF public moneys. know per-