The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-01-20
MINNESOTA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1898.

With the fixed term in force, on a
discharge we only know that the term
has expired, and the man is at large.
Consequently we want nothing to do
with him, but if he works his way out
by good conduct after thorough test he
is as much entitled to our considera-
ton as one who for years has been in
prison or held in bondage in moral
prison house, by intemperance, gamb-
ling and the line of misconduct usually
following these misdemeanOrs and
who by assistance of friends and TAX
ing the Kelley Cure throws off his
chains, makes his escape, and becomes
a free man againg 70 such we are al
ways glad to extend our hand, and
properly so-they are entitled to it.
Then why not to him who has perhaps
never committed but one misdeed in
his otherwise eminently useful career !?
Without doubt there are a good
many men in prison whose lives will
average high above some reputed good
people. Such persons we need outside.
we have plenty outside to take their
places. and who ought to be there. In
the case of a convict who shows dis
position to reform aud be man in the
true sense of the term on his release,
the hope of an honorable discharge
and chance to live life of usefulness
should never be permitted to die out.
The lamp should be kept burning. He
should be made to understand that the
state feels an interest in his welfare:
he should feel iGilat the community at
large desire his release as soon as he
has fully reformed; that the world
does not consider him dead.
Our own state prison system has
been greatly improved by the parole
system, which has cut down the dis
credits by nearly fifty per cent. Under
this system the board of managers
may parole convicts Except those
serving for life,) after they have served
one half of their term. While on pa
role the prisoner is under the jurisdic-
tiOn of the board of managers. and
may at any time be returned for cause.
No parole can be granted until there
has been a situation procured for the
applicant where he may 60 to work,
and he goes directly from the prison
to his employment. A state agent is
employed to look after paroled con-
victs, and examine into the character
of the situations held or proposed for
them. Should the convict get into dit
ficulty of any kind the agent at once
investigates as to the cause, and if not
occasiOned by the fault of the prisoner
endeavors to get matters adjusted for
him. and generally to give him advice
and counsel. The system is a good
one so far as it goes, but it is not broad
enough. Many cOnvicts of high
order of intelligence and sensitive ma
lures are punished as effectively by a
short term, so far as deterring them
from subsequent commission of crime
is concerned, as they ever can be, and
to detain such men for long period
thereafter is simply to embitter and
harden their natures, rendering a final
reformation and restoration to society
far more difficult task. There is lit
tie danger of their passing out bad ma
terial, as the test is very close and
searching. No argument by attorneys
before the Board in favor of parole
is permissible under the law. The per-
centage of parOled prisoners who have
been returned to prison is very trifling.
In our state prison night school is
held for all who choose to attend. A
Chautauqua Circle composed of pris.
oners meets twice every month.
About five thousand volumes of we'll
selected books constitute the prison
library. A newspaper, THE PRISON
MIRROR, is ably edited by the convicts,
nearly all of the matter being fur
nished by them. 1t might be consid
cred model paper as compared with
most of our publications. Much good 1
believe may be done through commun-
ications to The MIRROR sent through
proper channels, as we in that manner