The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-13
R~EfORMATORY INMATES
DEFECTS POINTED OH BY sECRE-
TARY OF CHARITIES BOARD.
Statistics Concerning the Last Five
Received at the Insti-
tuition Up to June 4, 1901.

The secretary Of the Indiana Board Of
State Charities presented to the National
Educational Association at Detroit some
interesting statements regarding some or
the defects Of the inmates of the Indiana
Reformatory at Jeffersonville. That insti-
tuition receives those males who are be-
tween sixteen and thirty years and have
been sentenced to prison.
A short study was made Of the last five
hundred inmates received up TO and includ-
ing May 81, 1901. The facts brought out are
said to verify those of previous investiga-
tons in a striking way. The statement
says:
sit is generally recognized that the family
relations Of over half of the inmates of
our reformatory institutions have been
disturbed; One or 6 q parents are dead
deprived Of home training. The largest
proportion are notably deficient in educa-
ton. or the five hundred studied, sixty-six,
or 1872 per cent, are reported as initerate;
251, or 500 per cent. had not reached the
fourth grade in the public schools, and but
twenty-six. or 90 per cent, had reached
the high school. Two hundred and eighty
two of all noted were natives of Indiana.
The proportion of illiteracy was less in
these by almost one-half, and a greater
number had passed the elementary school
work. On the contrary, a slightly less pro-
portionate number had reached the high
school.
LACK OF PHYSICAL TRAINING.
1.-THE STOPPING shoulders, awkward arms
and shambling gait Of these young men in
dictate plainly a lack of physical training.
Four hundred and six. or SIP per cent,
claim TO have no trades. In these busy
times, when there is a demand for work
men, 22, or 50.4 per cent, state they were
unemployed when the crime was COM
mitted. Evil associates lead to bad habits.
While it is not claimed that those shown
were the cause of crime, ii is interesting TO
note their relationship 10 ii. Three hundred
and twelve, or GA per cent, use liquor;
374. or AS per cent, smoke cigarettes; 400,
or SIS per cent. use tobacco In some form.
ION the contrary il is shown that they
have not been to any very great extent,
under those influences which are consid-
cred helpful. Many have been DERIVED of
proper home influences. Two hul- dred and
eighty-six, or 51.2 per cent, have not at
tended Sunday school. Only ne of the five
hundred examined claimed 20 have be-
longed to the Y. NJ. G. A.
"The ofenses of these persons may be
classified as crimes against persons and
crimes against property. 1t will be seen
that IS per cent. Of them fall under the
latter class.
1T will be observed that there is some
thing notably lacking in these young men.
They lack home training. mental training,
physical training and manual training. The
lack of religious training has also been
noted.
with the light we have. the great need
is for the prevention of crime. Efforts in
that direction will be most fruitful. An
ounce of prevention is worth a pound Of
cure When the school, the church and
the home shall fully understand the facts
and the urgent need for renewed effort
along every line that may possibly be used
TO save the boys and girls. the figures will
have a different story TO tell.
RESULTS SHOWN.
1.-The following are some of the results
shown by the investigation. Statistics of
last 500 persons received at Indiana Re-
formatory up TO June l, 1901:
DEDICATION.