The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-03-05
Address by Warden WOlfer at
the Eighteenth ParlOr Con.
ference Of the Associated
Charities on the Need
of Il Prisoners Aid
Society.

..............
A man who ostraciZes himself from
society because he has broken her laws,
it arrested, is tried, convicted and SEN
fenced to prison. The stamp of felon
is placed upon him. The attitude of
the prisoner is at war with society. In
the operation of the laws of govern
ment he is pronounced out of gear and
out of harmony with the best interests
OF society. AS rule he comes to pris-
on with feeling that he is victim of
circumstances; that he is misunder-
stood, and has been misused. He quiets
his conscience, if he has any, with the
argument that there was a good excuse
for the crime, or crimes, he committed.
He assigns reasons for his delinquencies
that are at least satisfactory to him
self. He feels that society, her laws
and officers, have followed him in a
spirit of persecution, which he resists
with all the force of his perverted ma
ture. He nourishes spirit of revenge.
and begins to study and plan how he
may most effectually get even with the
world and society when he regains his
liberty. These are some Of the thoughts
and impressions that accompany the
average man to prison. Not very
cheering or elevating companions, am
sure.
The improved condition of penal
management which has taken place in
some OF our prisons has opened up
way for reaching the prisoners better
nature. AS rule he sOftens under it's
influence, and his rebelliOus nature
gives way to better thoughts and higher
aspirations. One unacquainted with
the thoughts and feelings of a man
convicted Of crime and sent to prison
cannot adequately measure the posi-
BILE good that may lie dormant in his
nature, ready to spring forth under
proper treatment to grow into sturdy
manhood. The reformatory feature
that the state of Minnesota has put in
to practice in her penal management
furnishes means for reaching all who
are not criminals by nature. Underits
influence the prisoner learns that the
rules of government are planned with
view of contributing directly to his
present and future good. He learns
that the state desires to help him in
overcoming his weaknesses, and to pre-
pare him for taking his place again as
one of her law-abiding citizens. He is
surrounded with self-evident proofs
that it is the aim and purpose of the
state to better his condition, but in the
means provided to this end she requires
the prisoner to take an active part him.
self. Every possible encouragement is
held out to stimulate him in his efforts
to raise himself in the scale of mankind.
While the state should and does put
forth every effort to help the prisoner,
she demands from him in turn lively
interest in his own welfare If he does
not keep keenly alive to his own best
interests, he soon learns by experience
that the drifting process leads him into
more trouble.
The state of Minnesota has taken
foremost rank with her sister states in
providing for her wards. This is es-
pecially true in the laws she has enact
ed for the humane management of her
penal and reformatory systems. She
has adopted such helpful measures as
would seem necessary to reclaim all
who have any desire to abandon lives
of crime. For these growing favorable
conditions the state board of correc
lions and charities is entitled to much
credit. TO the untiring zeal and great
energy of DR.. S. g. Smith, Judge Willis
and Secretary Hart we are especially
indebted for the many improvements
that have been steadily going on in the
management of our state institutions.
AS result of these improvements, the
average prisoner in passing through
his prison experience, nearing the time
when he may be released upon parole
or by expiration of his sentence, feels
budding hopes Of better future life
rise up within him. No truer line was
ever written than that Hope springs
eternal in the human breast" TO keep
alive this hope, cheered on by proper
help and encouragement, should be the