The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-08-01

fugitive today out of the whole num-
ber. Only one attempted to escape the
consequences of broken parole by
running away After two months
search he was finally captured in South
Dakota and returned to prison. He is
still with u.s. Eleven (1D prisoners
were paroled at the last meeting of the
board of managers. We succeeded in
finding places for all of them inside OF
fifteen (15) days thereafter. l have
found the public generally very ready
to give work to paroled prisoners es-
pecially during seasonable times of the
year.
believe the Inauguration of a pris-
oners' aid society to work in conJunc-
ton with the management in securing
places for discharged and paroled
prisoners, and watching over them
after their release, would be product
i've of much good. believe this matter
has received some attention by the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
L
and discuss the subject until prac-
tical working organization is accom-
plished. 1 saw in d newspaper short
time ago that the WOman's Christian
Temperance Union had passed a res
olution favoring the establishing Of
home for discharged prisoners. [ hope
you will bear with me while speaking
very plainly upon this subject. am
not at all in sympathy with such a
movement. / besievv-a home for dis
charged prisoners would do more harm
than good. speak not only from my
, observations of the effects Of this sys-
tenn put in practice in another state,
but from my knowledge of the make
+ up of the men discharged from prison
generally and the bad effects produced
by bringing them together where they
can associate together without re-
+ straint. l care not how we'll regulated
the home. 1t will do more harm than
l. good. Among other evils it will slim
q uate spirit of unhealthy dependence
n 1t will bring evil elements together
+ that will develop into further crime
e Do away with conditions that sugges
4 to YOU the need of a home for dis
n charged prisoners and you will have
# practically solved the problem. Thl
t. can be done by requiring by law tina
q no prisoner shall be released from
j. prison (unless to leave the state) unit
;s EMPLOYMENT is found for him. Ill
is should not bereleased during the Winte
h months unless employment is assure'
,- for the entire winter season. The Gu
in ration of imprisonment generally
10 whether long or short, should b
q. gauged so as to terminate during tn
N season of the year when his chanc
Il. for successful start in life is at tn
al highest point. | believe that the II
he discriminate discharge of prisoners
an midwinter in this severe norther
in climate is one of the most profit
as causes of recidivlsm.
~ This state has enacted some wise an
sc benefcent laws for the governing
,al her criminal classes, and in prOyldl1
et- for them in various ways upon the
-es release from prison. She has dol
of more than any other state in the Unio
MS Of those not heretofore spoken OF
,ot will mention the following: Coz
tes time earnings, which amount fro
rk- eight S) to twelve Q2) cents per d
me while they are in prison. This provid
ss. them with some means upon their ]
md lease from prison. The appointing
in of state agent whose business it is
,ds. look up work for discharged and I
ION rolled prisoners. While the office OF
am state agent has not borne the go
md fruit hoped for thus far, believe
49, can be made to do so under prof.
'no organization in connection with
xed prisoners aid society. The success
lilly our parole system, as we'll as the t;
an of unconditional discharged prison
noo must depend upon the way they
nos handled and provided for after tt
anu leave the prison. If they are prope
oars looked after and encouraged ma
( (6) substantial reforms will be acc(
,oon plished. On the other hand, it
,eon ,:'.n prisoner is neglected or ignored WI
'ins he comes out Of prison, our best e1f(
ngle will prove failure.