Evening star., 1901-06-05
UNDER law OF PROBATION
RELEASE OF tH11ssnx COMMITTED
TO cHr11 ars9 GUARDIANS.


few days agS L.aj1r Richard Sylvester.
superintendent of police. forwarded to the
| District Commissioners a report received
from Lieutenant Daley of the ninth police
precinct. in which he stated that two boys,
/ arrested and fined for Ipetty larceny in the
| Police Court were committed to the board
| OF chlidrens guardians and were immedi-
! ateiy released without the payment of the
| hne.
The matter was referred through the
| board of charities to the board of childrens 8
guardians, and reports upon the cases have
been received from the officials in charge.
1t appears that the boys were released I'M
| der the operation of the new probation law
| winch alloWS them to be paroled to their
hones, where they are visited once week
their conduct.
Ihey are still under the custody of the
Doard, II Is explained. President J. B. I.
upper or the board of children's guar
| dlans' in his letter. states that what is
known as the probation system for juvenile
Offenders was put in operation in the Dis
| trlct py the act of March ). 1901. entitled
| an act to enlarge the powers of the courts
| OF the District of Columbia in cases in
| FolVlng delinquent children and for other
purposes .i,Lo Continuing. Mr.. Tupper says:
. ne advantage Of this system of treat
OF criminals and in keeping them out of
penal institutions, is well recognized and
need not be dweit upon. Upon the pass
age of the law referred to the board of
| chlldren's guardians took up the subject
| with a view to carrying out it's provisions
IN IN letter and in spirit. Mr. John W.
douglass, agent of the board, was appoint
| ed probation officer.
| No Money for Expense.
children committed to the board under
thls act may be placed in suitable homes
institutions or training schools for the care
yxyic
proper No appropriation was made for
the expenses which would be incurred by
| boarding children in homes or institutions
ana 1t did not seem wise to incur expenses
| IN TINS direction where it could be avoided
| Most Of the children committed up
| to this date have been released on parole
and allowed to return to their homes, after
| being reprimanded and properly instructed.
| where they remain during good behavior
| under the friendly supervision of the proba-
| tion officer.
The probation officer is instructed to ex-
| ert his influence to help parents maintain
| authority over children and for the well
fare Of the child to save it from becom-
| ing a criminal or a dependent. Children
| are given to understand that while guilty Of
an offense for which they might be pun
| 1shed. they will be given a chance. They
are advised respecting their duties at home.
| at school or at work. Efforts so far as
| practicable, are made to find suitable oc-
| cupation for older children, the want of
delinquency"
Mr.. Upper says he is glad the case has
| been brought to the attention Of the board
and adds that steps have been taken to
| cooperate with the police and receive sug-
| gestions. r..
Plan for the Future.
| In conclusion he says:
Hereafter when child is allowed to re-
turn to his home. he. will be taken there
by the probation officer or a member of the
police force. and the parent or guardian
furnished with a paper setting forth the
| conditions of the parole. and notice given to
the police officer, or the officer in charge of
the precinct station Gf the locality where
the child Is placed. that the board may
have the benefit Of his assistance in super
vising the child. There is no more impor-
| tant work than that of saving children and
with the cooperation OF the police depart
ment. the judges OF the Police Court and
your honorable board, which we are conf
dent OF receiving. our board hopes to so
execute this benefceht law that 1t will
prove success and a blessing to the com
munity." -