The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-13
WANTSNO REFORM
Sheriff Chamberlain
Says Jail System
DoesNotNeedIt.
LOCAL ONE A MODEL.
Worcester County Solons
Discuss Much Mooted
Question.

At the monthly meeting of the Wor-
cester county senators and represent
atives at the United States Hotel, Bos-
ton, the ether evening, the needs Of
Worcester county were discussed. The
work Of the metropolitan water board
and its effect upon the county in the
taking of all of one town and the third
of another for reservoir, came up and
was thoroughly aired.
The so-called prison reforms bill
which has agitated the legislature at
it's present session, was also down on
the program. The reformers did not
fare very we'll, for their ideas received
harsh treatment at the hands of Coun
ty Commissioner Cook and Sheriff
Chamberlain. The commissioner quo
ted lot of figures to combat the
claims of those in favor of the meas
ure before the legislature.
incidentally, it may be remarked
that both houses of the great and gen
eral court have declared against the
state control of the county jails. The
Worcester county legislators however,
wanted some more information on the
much discussed so-called reform move
ment, and consequently the introduc-
ton of the subject at the monthly
meeting.
Sheriff Chamberlain was very decid-
edly opposed to the proposed scheme
of reform among the prisons and the
prisoners. He does not think that the
state can improve an iota on the pres
| ent control, and for every reason that
is given in support of the new idea, the
sheriff has one to combat it, and it
appears as if he had the call on the
advocates, for the present at least.
The people in favor of reforms in
the county penal institution, says Sher-
III Chamberlain, assert that it is a step
in economy. This is denied point blank
1t would mean at the outset tile ap-
pointment of Jail keeper which
would add at once a considerable eX-
pense. At the present time the sheriff
hoIds both offices at a much less rate
than it would cost if separated. One
Of the reasons for the proposed change
would be in the appointment Of the
jailers by the state; just why this
would be an advantage says Sheriff
Chamberlain, he has not found out,
Again the results of reformation of
the prisoners, it is claimed, would be
greater. This is also denied, as it is
believed that just as much good is be-
ing done to the criminals under the
present law as would be done under
any other condition. Crime has a tend
ency now to decrease. The sheriff re-
marked that he had not noticed any
marked change for the better at the
| concord reformatOry, and moreover as
sorted that the teaching of criminals a
trade was not always the best thing to
be done. When the prisoner has served
his time and steps out into competition
with his fellowmen, he would not be
apt to tell where he learned his trade;
| does not want to be told that he has
served a sentence in a penal institu-
ton, and consequently will not follow
what has been taught.
THE best way to reform the prison.
ers, said Mr.. Chamberlain, 'is to greet
| them at the door of the prison, give
them encouragement, find them work
and see that the right start has been
made" "A man is oftentimes COM
PEELED to commit crime just after be-
ing released" continued the sheriff,
Simply because he has nothing else
to do, can get no sleeping place, and
1.-THE committing of another crime is
really a necessity"
But one of the most sweeping re-
| forms advocated by those in favor of
the bill was the classification of the
prisoners. This means that incarcer-
ated persons would be told off, into
the various institutions of the state ac-
the individual would have nothing to
do with the distribution. 1t is claimed
that crime would decrease when the
young and the hardened criminals
were kept apart and were not permit
ted to associate in any way.
This, declares the sheriff, is a bad
policy. Racts and figures do not sup
port such reasoning. On the contrary,
| it is claimed that it is the best thing
to have men committing all sorts of
crime, together, the young and the old,
in evil doing. mo matter how black
ened a man may be, says the sheriff,
"he will never urge the young man to
keep at it. His advice is right the
other way"
A Mrs. Lincoln, living in the Back
Bay district of Boston, who has paid
visit to all the county jails of the state,
armed with a letter from the governor,
in search of material for the reform
movement, paid Sheriff Chamberlain
just compliment when she visited the
| institution on Summer street. Mrs
Lincoln said that there was no need of
reform there; that everything was in
| the very best of order, and that if the
other institutions of a like nature were
kept in similar manner the reform
movement would not be needed.