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

that promises much good.
A fter some years of experience, can
give it as my earnest opinion that no (
Just and humane system of prison
discipline can be inaugurated without
it. The elements of a prison popula-
ton are not wholly unlike those found
in the outside world. The inmates of
our prisons eat, sleep, feel and act
within their prescribed limits very
much according to the same rules OF
action as people who live in the outside
world and have more of that priced
commodity called freedom. Hope,
fear, ambition and other kindred
emotions are not strangers, even in a
prison cell. This is strikingly true II
the prison is managed so as to bring |
it's best elements into expression. L
have seen some wonderful changes in
the lives and character Of men While
undergoing imprisonment. l call them
men because they proved themselves
such after their discharge from prison.
Our ability to govern wisely the in
mates of our penal institutions must
depend upon our proficiency in lnaugu-
rating system of discipline that will
bring into action the best elements a
prisoner has in him. The very atmos-
phere and tone Of the prison should
encourage the prisoner to overcome his
evil tendencies and stimulate him in
his efforts to raise himself in the scale
of manhood. Every honest effort he
puts forth to improve himself should
be recognized and rewarded. This can
be done to a large extent through the
judicious use Of the grading and parole
system. 1t surrounds the prisoner
with conditions that constantly appeals
to his better nature. He cannot but
see and must recognize in it means
for the accomplishment Of much good.
It has been my experience that when
ever you find a prisoner that does not
take kindly to it you will find hard
ened criminal who opposes it be-
cause he feels that the system is a
deadly blow against the perpetuation
of a criminal career. He knows that
the successful carrying out OF the
, principles involved in the grading and
' parole system is gradually opening ul
the way for the final introduction Of
the indeterminate sentence, and thai
I with it, the time will come when nj
s will be sent to prison, not for speci
=. fed term, as at present, but until he il
4 cured, or until it shall appear that it il
D reasonably safe to trust him again will
e his liberty. The parole system and in
: determinate sentence is gaining II
v favor very fast All of the LEADING
r students of penology favor it. l be
d lieve that ours is the only state priso
~ in the United States that has the grad
,e inc and parole system now in practice
Il operation. The best prison men of th
" United States, however, are taking a
ID active interest in it. The sentiment
al its favor is growing so fast that it hs
g. been decided by the executive con
n mittee of the National Prison Congress
Of that this subject shall be the princip
TO one discussed at our next annual NEE
a. ING in Denver. A number of the stat
te are now considering the adviSability
er introducing it into their prison
Hardly a week passes that does n
in bring representatives from other stat
NJ to investigate the result OF its Wor
all ings in our prison. In my opinion o.
ed of the greatest dangers to the succes
,st full management of the grading al
ws parole system is the danger of laxity
7er carrying out it's provisional safeguar'
WIS If carelessly administered it will so
ith grow into disrepute. Of this
he thoroughly convinced. A careful a
IFS vigilant supervision should follow
rn- prisoner while he is on parole, relax
IFS only when he has demonstrated fu
ent his purpose and ability to lead
est honest and self-supporting life. Sill
hat the inauguration of the grading a
veil parole system in our prison, three ye
.ble ago, we have paroled III men. Six
VS. only out of this number have b.
an brought back to prison for violat
son their paroles, We have not a sin