The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-17
PRISON REFORM.

PRISON REFORM.
The Improvement of the physical
condition OF prisons il a subject that,
In this country and in Europe. Is per-
haps today receiving more study and
consideration xhan ever before by the
officials who have TO do with the sub
merged" part OF humanity. and by
those who. out of q love for their fell
low men. spend their time and money
In an effort to make the prison place
OF REFORM rather than of punishment
Samuel j. Barvws in the February
number of the Arena has an instrue-
tive article ON "Penology IN Europe and
America" He demonstrates a fact that
will be matter Of surprise to most
people. that England is the one country
In which there Is evidence OF a steady
and marked decrease in crime during
the past twenty years. In 1878 England
had prison population OF a0.s53. In
1892 that population had decreased TO
1866. a decrease Of 81 per cent This
decrease. moreover. has not been
brought about by the deportation of the
criminal classes, for the transportation
OF eonvicts to Van Diemen's Land and
Australia was stopped In 1867. a great
increase In crime was predicted when
this change was made, but the result
has been exactly the reverse, and
largely. Sir. Barrows says, because
England has not tried to shift and
avoid the problem. but has grappled
with 1t on her own soil. The prison
commissioners ascribe this reduction TO
the increased efficiency OF the police.
the establishment of Industrial Schools.
the effective punishment and refovsra-
lion or criminals In prisons. the de-
veiopinent OF societies TO aid prisoners
after their discharge and the suppress
sion of the hahitual criminal class.
The separate system, so-caiied is in
force in many continental prisons.
When this system il strictly enforced
there Is but one prisoner In each cell.
and no association or communication Is
allowed between prisoners. This Is the
great argument In It's favor with those
who believe that crime is increased
through the prison Intercourse of crini-
mails. There are objections to this plan,
however. because OF the unnatural con-
dltions imposed by solitary confine-
inent, the limited facilities for ma
chine labor ard tbs belief that rcforma-
ton Is more easily secured under more
natural social conditions. But v-hae
ever differences OF opinion there are as
10 the trNseln1ent Of prisoners. reformegs
all agree that In ialis where prisoners
are held for trial or committed FOR short
sentences. the separate system IS essen
tlil. Tae coanty Jail. where hardened
criminals and boys. feions and yiIs,ie-
nSoananis. are ta.own together In the
same vat. IL the greatest brewery for
crime that can be devised
Mr.. Barrows speaks very highly of
the thorough discipline and many in
ceEtlves for the reform of prisoners in
the E.inllra Reforguatory. OF New York
This Is the institution at the head Of
wt}sch Is PaAidier" Ryoctzyyyay. 3,
named by the New York World. walich
spent $4,000 IN It's efforts to prove him
guilty or cruelty TO the inmates under
his charge. but who was declared limo
cent by the courts.
The different penalties for the game
crime In different states are interest,
Ing II note. The maximum penalty for
cs'tutsGfettinS in Unaware is three
years, but in Mature. Massachusetts.
New York ard Michigan It Is .:nprsson
nleot for afa. The maximum penalty
foS perjury IN New HansTShsve. Con-
nectscos and Kentucky is f1ye wears: In
Maine. Mississippi! and Iowa IL - I'm
pri@'nF'en; for life. A man Who COM
mrs sraod larceny In Louisiana NAV
ee se'1t 20 prison for two years: n, Coz.
hssSisFds hc may b. committed for
twenty A harm burner IN Kansas
fageFt st four years; in MARYLAND
s'''th Carolina ard Georgia he would
probably b. hurg. 4 burglar IN Ar
kansas might have an opportunity sN-
self-coa:7aunson sor seven wears. =,
Nerth Carolina he would hsve +, die
In Kansas the crime o. forgery 70 sr.,r
times as heigous as that OF ,srea-x
judging from the Penalties imposed,
waise IN CSsnnecttcut larceny Is four
times as bad IS forgery. The seath.
penalty fo~ murder Is In fore IN all the
states 90 this caysntry excen: Rhexsa
Island. Michigan essi Wisconsin.
Nr. Garrows demonstrates ,>a.e,,-
sivesy that there should ~ an e-YuaIgsv
% sentences for crsne 81 the ,sIfse-~-s
states, Bar & IS one thing 20 have a
snisoVn, es~te ausi another % have q.
uniform administration - &. The
same t0&gs isaf'ueuc>f sy rssysical -
rssatSl conditions. might give a .nan T.
-esr 's.8v sn3 five Years tasgsa-Tyrs-.
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