The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-02-21

"We believe that while the reformation
of the prisoner may not be the primary
purpose of the criminal code, which
seeks rather the repression and sup
preston of crime, nevertheless When
the court has pronounced its sentence,
and the lock is turned upon the con-
Wet, the prison which does not supply
! to him while in custody the opportunity,
the motive and means of reformation,
is not administered in the interests OF
good government.
I'VE shall never have satisfactory |
prisons until divorce shall be effected
between prison management and practl- /
cal politics, and until the public shall
accept the great truth that it may cost
money to make good men out OF bad
men, but that men are worth to the
nation more than dollars and must not
be sacrificed to them.
We must all agree that educational
and moral agencies are essential to the
elevation of human kind to is highest
level. These cannot be omitted from
the daily routine of prison life and
should be provided for.
, The mind of the prisoner. no less than
his hands, should be educated and Occu-
pied: his thoughts should he diverted
from criminal channels, ambition should
= be stimulated. better hope set before
him. the degrading aspects and the alb
Q sOlute unproSitabIeneSs of a criminal
a career impressed upon him, and he
V should be taught trade and quallhed
t to earn an honest living when he is re
l. turned to free life again.
+ These suggestions are no more IN the
interest Of the prisoner than they are
v of the community at large your m
v terest and mime. And have we not
n right to expect and even to- demand
l. of our legislature faithful and persist
(. ent consideration of all these matters
g, and wise and prompt action by which
d to introduce the needed means into
S. active service.
al [ might 90 into numerous matter:
TO incident to this subject--the causes O.
Sc crime. the construction of prisons, th'
xe amount and kinds of labor to be dom
by prisoners, the food to be furnished
he discipline in general and in cases o
ge emergency, etc. but not at the presen
ty time. will, however, refer yer
rs briefly to one other matter Of import
Id ance second to none other.
nd Perhaps-yes, probably OF tn
he most critical periods of the convict
nd life is the moment OF bis dlscharg
,rs when. having served the time OF HI
sentence and paid the legal penalties
la his crime. relieved of his prison gar
in and clothed again as man, the prlso
en-. door is opened and he is free to G
ont into the world 1t is a cold Worl
On very cold, and to none more so tina
at to the man with the mark OF IL
ute prison upon him. AS we'll might 1t
wv the mark of Cain, for though unseen.
be the multitudes whom he meets, he HI
led a kind of consciousness that it is SCI
tai nv eyery man. woman and child WI
les whom he comes in contact. Natur
ane differ. Some are sensitive in the
not treme and others bold and compa1
lively careless Of the world or what t
the world thinks; but all feel it more
let, less.
ard AS rule these men are pool, a
lble leave the prison with little more tn
.ate the cheap and insufficient clothing pl
ma vided by the contractor and five-d
,uld lar bill.
the Put yourself in his place. Wi
children, kindred, he has or had. III
isci- may or may not know of him, he
con- them.
AXE Has he a friend ON earth to whom
the can go? What can he do for livin
the Who will employ him? When? Whe
his He is just in the condition to yield
ance the suggestions of desperation or
ma spair, or to the willy temptations OF
hose would-be friend, who comes in 81
lust in time to lead him to the sal'
or to and it's questionable attractions,
IS of sticks by him until his money and
~ of wits are gone; and he awakes to a mi
saws. ure of gloom worse even than ever