St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-09-17

Col. r. S. Allen, warden Of the Joliet,
ILL.,, penitentiary; read a paper on
Convict Labor" The contract sys-
tenn, he said, was inhuman, and must
eventually be abolished. Under it
contractors were enriched and con-
victs ruined. Col. Allen said the
state account system in vogue at
Joliet was a complete success. In
the discussion that followed Warden
Chambers, of Michigan, declared the
state account system was success
in that. state.
Henry Wolfer, warden of the Still
water, Mimi, penitentiary, read a
highly instructive paper on THE
Parole System in Penitentiaries." He
said:
Much has been said and written and
much speculation INDUCED in concern
ing the trend Of modern penology. Be
tween the theorist and the practical
worker there is ever an open field for
debate. In discussing the subject as
signed to me, The Parole System in
Penitentiaries,' 1 desire to present only
a. few brief thoughts that have oc-
CURED to me in the experience we have
had in what 1 believe to be the prac-
teal application of the grading and
parole system in prison. AS cham
pion Of the system 1 wish to record 1t
as my honest conviction that the grad
ing and parole system, properly ap-
Piled furnishes the only foundation for
the adjustment of a humane and ra-
tional system of PRISON government.
When I say prison government, 1 mean
all that may be implied as necessary
in the management of penal institu.
tions-prfsons, as well as reforma-
tories. If the parole system is good
for the reformatory, it is also good for
the prison, for it is conceded that all
prisons should be reformatory in char
acter insofar as they may be made SO
by the adoption of the best means at
tainable for the bringing out Of re-
formatory effects. Our experience in
the application of the grading and pa
role system has stimulated a growing
confidence in its 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
4,
| is here strongly exemplified 1t places
the prisoner in his prison community
as the citizen N 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 the proportion as he fails
| to do so he retrogradeS. Every induce
| ment is thus offered the prisoner for
fI1 Of hoIl 0f o1a
industry, vigilance, and the best ap-
plication of his mental and physical
abilities. 1t recognizes every honest,
manly effort put forth on the part of
the prisoner to raise himself in the
! scale of manhood.
HOW TO GOVERN WE'LL.
''In other words, the administration,
| through the help of a well regulated
| grading and parole system, manages
! to govern well by governing as little
| as possible. The adjustment of the sys-
tenn is the government itself, and its
! operation is in harmony with the in
! ternal elements of Individual rights
and self-respect, thus creating a pow
| erful leverage for the regulation of hui
| man conduct. 1t has the sympathy
| and support of the best elements Of the
| prison population. Any prison gov
ernment, or, for that matter, any gov
ernment that does not have the sup
| port Of its best members, cannot sue,
ceed, as the object of all prison gov
ernment is for the protection of soci-
| ETY. and reformation of the criminal.
| All systems of prison government that
| do not conduce directly to this end are
! failures. My experience has been that
there can always be found material in
any prison upon which the grading and
| paorole system can be made to work
| with perfect success. 1t brings out the
best elements of a prison population
! and relegates to the rear the unworthy.
| Those who cannot, or do not, wish to
| qualify as worthy of parole privileges
will be at least benefited by its pres
ence. Its judicious application will
raise the moral tone of the prison and
will teach every inmate, in spite OF
himself, some of the most salutary les.
sons of life, thus laying a foundation
for elf-government and discipline
which would have saved many of them
from the felon's cell had they enjoyed
its benefits earlier in life. BY careful