The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1900-09-06
ABOLISHING THE LOCKSTEP.

New YORK state took another long stride for
ward in penal matters when @. V. Collins, superin-
tendent of PRISONS ordered the abolishing of the
lockstep in her prisons The ockstep has long been
in vogue It is fixture that has been bequeathed
to us from ancient times. Its practicability a
useful has long been in question. Today it
is only tolerated in few of state penitentiares
Like other Quixotic and debasing methods it has
been relegated to the in order to make for
more RATIONAL humane and civilized ideas whose
tendencies construct and elevate character instead Of
lowering manhood, destroying self-confdence and
insulting self-respect.
The lockstep has not single feature to CON-
mend it. It has many shortcomings that should for
ever condemn it in the eyes Of broad minded and
intelligent penologists In few states it is still in
use not so much as disciplinary measure, but as
snowy relic that is kept exhibition to be looked
at by the public. In these places it has it's cham
pions who are endowed with the belief that it is
highly beneficial measure; that it he to keep per-
feet order and uniformity of action while marching
to and from the shops; that it prevents the prisoners
from passing parcels to another etc. Any OBJ
serving who knows anything about prisoners
can readily how absurd the above statements
It is the easiest thing in the world for prisoner to
pass note, of large dimensions, under the
lockstep and right under the officers Just as
he is about to place his hands on the shoulders Of
the man in front of him. he careessly brush his
hand along his neck and drop it so it will be con-
ceaed without himself running the slightest danger
Of detection.
In regard to marching we fail to see the precise
point wherein disorder is minimized by the use Of
the lockstep. This is also weak ridiculous state
70 oRo nOtD them
from rushing at adversary if the occasion offers
itself Still it cuts no figure either way, there
is only one fight out of thousand that occurs
in the ranks. It is generally in the shops where
trouble happens. It usually starts about work. A
peppery foreman, with gall than common sense
and an exalted opinion of his Importance is the
handspring that sets most of the fights agoing. But
we are willing to make the assertion that wherever
the locksep is in use that it is responsible for ten
times more trouble than it's advocates believe it pre-
vents.
Warden McClaughry says that he does not
gard the ockstep any humiliating than many
other features of prison life. There is only one
other feature of prison life that is degrading,
and that is by placing a premium upon brutality,
and the rewarding Of treachery by the inmates with
easy position. This is the only parallel which is
deserving of comparison with the humiliating
features Of the lockstep. Warden McClaughry has
the reputation of being frst-class prison man. We
are surprised that Of experience in handling
prisoners should still cling to this curio It is also
very evident that Mr.. McClaughry has never given
the subject serious thought else he would have
endeavored to have given it better diploma when
interviewed in regard to it for publication. We are
glad to notice that all humane wardens have abol-
ished the lockstep. We are also pleased to state
that many wardens who before imagined it to be
perfection personifed, now coming to the con-
clusion that of safety and good policy,
! If ia wise to drop the lockstep