The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-06-02
Written for The Prison Mirror.
WANTED---A CHANCE.

"A SaO ana drearY lot would that OF
prisoner be if the ability to think, like
talking, could be stopped. What stim-
ulant is to the topper thought is to the
prisoner and on it depends in measure
not only the ability to withstand day
after day the strain of his confinement
and thus save his mind from a total
collapse, but also is his future career
correctly planned, his future life lived
as 1T were in advance. Does his thoughts
lie in an upward or downward direc-
ton? There lies the point and when
this point is raised and successfully
analyzed, truly and fully understood,
there and then only will an important
factor be taken hold of in the direction
of the reform so much preached about.
Rules, societies, laws and regulations
will always fail as long as the prisoner
himself fails to respond to their scien-
tific methods of proceeding. Let them
fully realize how limited subject a
mans own thoughts are for himself,
alone day after day for years, with no
one in whom to confde and trust, is it
a wonder so many of the weakest 60
to the wall and that others will let
their minds drift to old scenes of hap
pier days. Some may pierce the gloom
of misspent life and reach a brighter
picture of mothers loving care; of
father, brothers and sisters. In these
the spark of manhood will be rekindled
and the chances bid fair to their being
saved and their thoughts will run in
brighter and nobler channel, seeking
to cast aside the past and only living
for what may come in the future. But
take our less fortunate brother and
by looking back the shadow of gloom
and misfortune perhaps dates back to
childhood with nothing but misfortune
cares of wrecked life and no picture
which makes life worth living. Is it
then wonder that the delights of the
years spent in freedom, be they ever so
bad, should be loving con-
sidering he knew no other? That from
a glimpse of the past would arise aspi-
rations for the future and rebellion
against society who sent him here. 1t
seems to me that it would. | further
think that ninety-nine per cent of the
eX-cOnvlcts, were the truth fully
known, planned their future crimes
while in prison. Startling as this may
seem l know it to be the plain unvar-
nished fact Given and accepted as
such, ought not some means be de-
vised to assist such unfortunates to a
chance? Confinement will not do it.
No punishment 1 know of will stop
a prisoner from thinking. But in as
much as it keeps them from the mad
house even though it reforms a few
and causes others to retrograde, 1 say
1t is blessing to the prisoner and
means should be devised to aid and
encourage it in the right direction, and
only by interesting and gaining such
unfortunate's confidence can good re-
suits be attained. TO many such this
is very little punishment and no hard
ship. Their sole aim is to kill months.
days or years. The object being to
gain the goal of their discharge with
as little exertion as possible. Reform
them. Can't be done. One man can
take a horse to water. A regiment
can't make him drink. The same holds
good in this case. Encourage thought.
Then give them something of interest
to think about and thus gradually lead
them is the only way their confidence
can be won and their future nodded.
Give them good solid food for
thought in the shape of lectures on