The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1901-12-12
A CRYING NEED.

A CRYING NEED. r
The past quarter century has witnessed
many reforms in criminal legislation In
the way Of lessrning the severe punish
ment meeted out 70 criminals by the
com mon law. Few crimes are now pun
ished by death. The imprisonment OF
men Tor debt. so common in the early
part of our history has ceased to DE.
Among the majority of our states
there has been a great aud successful
effort among reformers to ameliorate the
condition OF young criminals, who either
through the inexperience or weakness oil
youth nave drlfled into crime.
Recognizing the fact that imprison-
ment is A punishment more designed to
remedy and correct crime than a thing
inflicted for vengence. legislatures are
working TO the end that those untortuu-
ate and weak men that must receive the
punishment of our law, should receive
treatment that will act upon them in a
remedial way.
Various states have established reform
schools, in order that the young men
who have slipped from the path of right,
more from weakness than from premedi-
tatiou. shall not be confirmed in their
criminal weaknesses or tendencies, by
associations with the hardened criminal
. OF the penitentiary.
There is one thing our state strongly
needs-a reformatory for boys. Ever,
man who, in a judicial capacity, mus
act IN accordance with the law OF criml
OF our state in passing sentence upoI
Juvenile offenders, hesitates in punishinI
with penal servitude a young man WHOM
he feels that. IL given another chance
might make a man Of himself and bC
come a good citizen rather than Ii GRIN
iual leper.
With the stain Of the states prise
once upon the offender, he has a recor
that follows him to the grave. III
ghost of q convict follows him like
shadow, and in his climbing upward
the right, whispers TO his %neighbors TIL
he has once been a felon.
BY sending the immature young ma
to prison we are creating criminals
build and operate a reform school won
No doubt be an expense Of some magr
tude, but TO turn loose from our sta
prison men who have been crushed az
nodded into criminals through associ
ton with criminals of every kind al
degree, is not only far more expense
and dangerous to society, but is contr l
10 all good ideas Of criminal legislatio
II is time thai our legislature shou
act in this matter. They will in Il
effort receive the support of their &C
stituents. II is time too that our iudgI
prosecuting attorneys aud ward'
should by concerted effort, and by pr
publications, make the public aware
existing conditions. Reconmendati'
from the judge Of every district,
prosecuting attorney Of every count
and the warden OF our state prison, a
the sheriffs OF our various count
should be presented to the isgislatl
and action insisted upon. This brar
of prison reform too. should appeal
the women's Federated Clubs, offer
AS it does, the opportunity Of saving
good many boys Of our state.
1t is fitting too that the press sho
interest itself in the matter by vigor
editorials and the granting Of space
communications designed to effect
reform.
Oregon and California have had Il
reform schools for years aud il is h
time for Idaho 20 act.
~uE UTgS HESC