The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-18
THEY ARE FOR
TIE MOST PART
YOUNG MEN
Why Parole System Would Do
Good for Oklahoma COnWCtS.
GOV. FERGUSON is URGED
By Warden Jewett Of Kansas
to Inaugurate System.
GOV. FERGUSON is URGED

Guthrie. o. T. May l7.-As stated in
former issue in the Eagle. one Of the
propositions which Governor Ferguson IS
considering is that of a parole system.
similar to the one used in Kansas, for
the territorial prisoners confined in the
Kansas state penitentiaTy at Lansing.
Governor Ferguson has been considering
this matter for some time, but his atten-
ton was again called to the matter by
Warden Jewett while in the city yester-
day Warden Jewett, Secretary Crimes
and Governor Ferguson held a conference
IN the governors Office in which this
matter was thoroughly discussed. War
den Jewett is an ardent advocate OF the
parole system and is anxious that Okla
homa shall adopt such a system for use in
taking care of her prisoners. Secretary
Grimes is also in favor Of such a system
and believes that the young man who is
convicted for his FIRST criminal onense
should have some leniency shown him and
an attempt made TO develop man from
the youth who otherwise would probably
become thoroughly dissipated. should he
serve q sentence Of years in a peniten-
tiary.
Governor Ferguson has not yet an
nounced his decision in this matter. There
are at the present time, "A number Of APP
pMcatious for paroles for men sent up
from the territory several years ago.
IN advocating the parole system, War
den Jewott said:
Il am anxious for Oklahoma to adopt
g parole system. ] believe that if such a
system is fully understood by the people
of the territory. it viii be satisfactory in
every respect and respectable men may
Be made of the boys who are now sent TO
the penitentiary TO serve long sentences
for crimes committed. This system has
been tried in Kansas and 1t is without
question a success. There are over one
hundred men out of the institution on
.ps:oe. Out of the number released from
the penitentiary I think that there have
only been one returned The person pa
rolled is not allowed to leave the state
unless he gets permission lie is supposed
L send in report Of his whereabouts
and condition every thirty DAYS and does.
As long as the man associates with the
proper people and does the right thing his
parole continues but should we receive
doing no good outside of the penitentiary,
he is placed in again.
"The majority Of the Oklahoma prison
ers are young men. Many of them are
there for their first crimes. IT is safe to
say that there are young men in the penl-
Tertiary from this territory who should
not be there. although properly convicted
Under the present system. there is no re-
lief for them, but by a pardon. BY pa
role these young men, suffering for their
first crimes would be enabled 10 start in
life again with the state as guardian
Tor the term OF years. for which the
young man was sentenced.
The convict from the plains IS not nee
cssarily o. had man He Will not pick your
pockets nor will he stick a knife i'm your
hack when SON are not looking. lie may
shoot you but ne will give you a fair
chance. He has not been educated i'm the
slums but usually comes from "a good
home IN the east He associates with men
who might not hesitate at stealing a pony
or steer. but when it came to anything
more would not attempt crime After Ice
IS caught and convicted. your westerner
repents and wants another chance BY
having parole system. he has an oppor-
tunitv of fighting for himself before the
public under the guardianship of the terri
tory or state.
Warden Jewctt has had some CORES
uondeuee with Governor Ferguson and
other territorial officials relative to the
parole system and viii continue to urge
SITS adoption. until some action is taken in
the matter