The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-09-26
PRISON CONGRESS-.
ADDRESS BY WARDEN WOLFER
ON THE PAROLE SYSTEM.
a SYSTEM OF PENOLOGY BASED ON
HUMANE AND RATIONAL
FOUNDATION.
ITS EFFECTS ARE BENEFICIAL

Much has been said and written and
much speculation indulged in concern
ing the trend of modern penOlOgy. Be-
tween the theOrist and the practical
worker there is ever open field for de-
bate. In discussing the subject assigned
to me, 'The Parole System in Peniten-
tiaries,'' desire to present only few
brief thoughts that have occurred to
me in the experience we have had in
what | believe to be the practical ap-
plication of the grading and parole
system in prison.
AS champion of the system, wish
to record it as my honest conviction
that the grading and parole system,
properly applied, furnishes the only
foundation for the adjustment of a
humane and rational system of prison
government. When | say prison gov
.ernment, I mean all that may be i'm
piled as necessary in the management
of penal institutions-pr as we'll
as reformatories.
If the parole system is good for the
reformatory it is also good for the
prison, for it is conceded that all pris-
.ons should be reformatory in character,
in so far as they may be made so by
the adoption of the best means attain
able for the bringing out of refOrma-
tory effects. Our experience in the
Of
system has stimulated growing con-
fidence in it's efficacy. 1t will enable
the management to come nearer reach
ing all grades and conditions of men
(criminals) than any other system yet
introduced. Environment one of the
most potent factors in the development
or retrogression of human character, is
here strongly exemplified. 1t places
the prisoner in his prison community
as the citizen in the enjoyment of all
his rights. AS he Obeys the laws and
keeps in harmony with the require
ments of good government, he makes
progress. In proportion as he fails
to do so he retrogrades.
Every inducement is thus afforded
the prisoner for the cultivation OF
habits of obedience, industry, vigilance
and the best application of his menta
and physical abilities. 1t recognizes
every honest, manly effort put forth or
the part Of the prisoner to raise him
self in the scale of manhood. In Othel
words, the administration, through the
help of well regulated grading and pa
role system manages to govern well b.
governing as little as possible. The
adjustment of the system is the govern
ment itself, and it's operation is in har
mony with the internal elements of in
dividual rights and self respect, thu
creating a powerful leverage for tn
regulation of human conduct. 1t ha
the sympathy and support of the bes
elements of the prison population
Any prison government, or, for tha
matter, any government that does no
have the support of its best member
cannot succeed, as the object of a
prison government is for the protectio
of society and reformation of tn
criminal All systems of prison govern
ment that do not conduce to this en-
are failures.
My experience has been that thel
can always be found material in an
prison upon which the grading an
parole system can be made to wor
with perfect success. 1t brings OF
the best elements of prison popul