The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-30
FURTHER PROOF Is READY.
JA1Ls AS REFonMAroRIEs

John Gardner In June Municipality.
The jail is very important county IN
stItutIOn, and one in which the public
should feel u great interest. They do not
realize that every year from eight to ten
times as many prisoners are confined in
our Jails as in our prisons and refOrma-
tories. They do not consider the number
of these inmates that might be prevented
from going further in crime, if properly
dealt with Here is where the young
and petty criminals are first lodged:
those who are just starting upon career
OF crime and whose habits and morals
have not become wholly corrupt How
much more susceptible to good influences
is young criminal at this time A re-
form at this period may be of inestIm-
able saving to the county and to the state.
While evil associations and influences are
likely to leave their effect not only upon
the prisoner but upon society.
Do sherlffs take advantage of all the
facilities for the betterment Of their pris-
oners afforded by the jails? Every ian
may at least be kept clean, and In repair,
and for a small expense. may be furnish
ed with literature that would be interest
ing 10 the prisoner, and a the same time
give the mind healthfUl turn. In many
Jails the prisoners may be separated
and in ali the rules of the Jail may be
enforced Much may be done in the way
of personal kindness that will cause the
prisoner to regard you as a friend rather
than his enemy. These matters how
ever insignificant they may appear, are a
step in the right direction and are certain
to have an effect.
Jail should be 50 constructed as to
provide separate cell for each person.
The cells shOU d airy and well lighted
equipped with a bath. hot and cold wa
ter comb and brush, a looking glass,
and several interesting and instructive
books. Cleanliness Is in itself q great
deterrent of crime. Give the prisoner q
looking glass, that he may see himself,
that he may be caused to think more Of
himself. DO not allow social games, for
the confinement is not for the purpose
of making the prisoner comfortable.
THE way of the transgressor is harI
that there may be an end Of transgres-
ston-the surgeon cuts to cure" REQUIRE
regularity in the taking of exercise. in
the sewing of meals and wherever pos
sible. Above all things, be vigilant, for
! vigilance, eternal vigilance, is the p-ice
of success.
The system of separate confinement
can not be emphasized too strongly In
the hrSt place, the younger and iuexper-
| fenced are removed from the older and
! more hardened prisoners, permitting ths
! greater moral effect Of a first arrest IN
| the second place, such system is moro
! conducive to good discipline and prevents
! the better class of prisoners from be-
! Ing compelled to remain I'm the societv
of the worst element confined If reform
Is good thing. and the people impli-
edIy admit that it is by having adopted If
Into their prisons and refnrmatOries whV
| should it not be extended to the COUNTY
jan? l believe it is due to the fact that
people do not sufficiently realize the i'm
portance of that institution and to tba
fact that our present system IS NOT
calculated to produce the best results