The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-22

Views of Men Who Come in Contact
with Various Phases Of Crime.

with various Phases OF Srime'
z. R. Brockway superintendent New York
State Reformatory: Prison science is in ad-
vance of general public sentiment about II
and is menaced for that reason and by that
fact. The principle of expiatory and re-
vengeful punishment for society's reaction
against crime gives place in prison man.
agement to the principle Of prevention by
the restraint or reformation of criminals.
II We are to hold the ground gained the last
twenty-five years in prison reform the gen
eral public must know more of the truth
about criminals and how best TO reform
them In the near future more attentlon
ter education and training or the chiidren
and youth of the land. Prisoners are
youthful; Even OF the felo1s In Rev nork
prisons 20 per cent. are under thirty years
OF age. Reformation and prevention are to
be accomplished not so much by the infiu-
ence OF persuasion Ito be good" as by train
ing to the habit of instructive quick adjust
ment to the true economic environment.
Eugene Smith. Student of Sociology. and
ciety is only partially and temporarily Sc
cured by the mere Incarceration OF the
criminal and it is wholly lost when he is
der the protection enectual and permanent,
the convict ought to be subject 10 such
a disciplinary training in prison as shall
he regains his freedom Hence ii is that the
reformat ton of the criminal not only be-
comes legitimate. aim. but should be made
the controlling, paramount aim in the prs
on regimen. II is the most radical means.
of protection; the public veal demands 1t
as governmental measure best adapted to
secure the common safety and promote the
general prosperity. Thus we arrive at the
philosophical principle upon which prison
reform, which originated in an impulse OF
Christian charity, has become a political
problem. and one of the most important of
public interests with which statesmen and
legislators have TO deal
Hon. Philip C. Garrett, Philadelphia: Put
yourself in his place." There is not prac-
tical man or woman In the whole communi-
ty who can afford to ignore the problems of
penology, or neglect to do something to-
ward helping the discharged prisoner. We
all have need to put ourselves in his place
before we shall enter into true and proper
appreciation OF the obligation we are under
for the reformation of the delinquent
classes.
he is an outcast from humanity. And If the
prisoner needs sympathy. how much more
the discharged prisoner whether innocent
guilty or reformed. when he goes out into
the cold world. and for a reference can only
say: 81 am fresh from the penitentiary''-
the name 'jail-bird' haunting him like
man viii employ thee: thou art branded
with the curse of Cain.
Rev: j. w. F. Barnes, chaplain Massa-
opportunities. they should be Increased. UNI
I'll childhood and youth shall be saved
wholly from aimless living and vicious de-
-
make it, should see to II that no more of its
childhood should be left as an untitled gar
den to develop hateful character in ignor-
ant or vicious living. To such in society as
have been allowed. and in many instances
forced, to grow up in errors ways, natural
methods, patiently applied, and in loving
manly @ w When M fhf IS de
charged from prison, possessed Of good
spirit forgive him. If he has been wronged;
help him in natural effective ways. Get rid
OF artificiality and .long-armed assistance,
or little gifts of money unfollowed by inter-
est or helpful sympathy. AS the lamented
Ex-Governor Robinson once remarked, "aS
nearly as possible put him in as good posi-
ton. at least. TO earn an honest living as
he commanded when he was arrested" Put
in his way. without show, opportunities for
doing well.
Joseph p. Byers, secretary Ohio Board of
State Charities: What do discharged pris
that! A chance TO re-establish themselves
They have paid the penalty: whatever the
circumstances may have been prior to i'm
Observation-Disclosures criminal tendencies,
bad environment. early training in crime,
or lack OF training in the precepts of law
and order. premeditated or accidental crime
giving the man "a chance when he has
fulfilled the mandates Of the law. Does he
get 1t? Does the man. with or without
trade. coming from our prisons as a dis
charged prisoner. get chance fair
chance? Does the great mass OF fair
minded, Christian. self-respecting and self
d
prisoner to chance and give it to him?
Rev. Frederick B. Allen secretary Watch
and Ward Society. Boston: What shall the
State do with the young criminal when she
arrests him? Shall she so deal with him
that every incipient tendency TO evil shall
be strengthened? Shall immaturty be
brought into intimate familiarity with wick
edness and ripeped into crime? Must we
not concede that whenever the State arrests
and sentences any one. all its discipline
should tend to improve. and not debase,
him? II Is awful that a raw youth should
be seized. dragged into the society of
criminals. demoralized by ideness. untitled
for self-support. and then turned loose. hav-
ing been made by the unwise handling of
the State a lifelong criminal
There is no protection to the community
which is of much value except reformation
of the prisoner. All penal discipline should
have in mind the day of the prisoners dis
charge. What he is when set free is more
important than that he should be merely
kept in restraint for little while To fiji
him to resume his place In the community
as law-abiding citizen should be the SUI
preme consideration in the management of
our prisons. That is the key to all real
prison reform.