The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-10-31


the local British prisons were brought
under the administration of the central
government the result has been radl-
cally to change their character. From
being schools of vice and crime and re-
cruiting offices of the criminal class
they have become potent agencies in
depressing all forms of illegality and OF
| saving from ruin multitudes who have
| taken the first steps in crime. Not
| withstanding the rapid increase Of pop
ulation there, the census of the jails
has diminished far more rapidly"
These four resuIts-uniformity and
| economy in administration, a change in
the moral product through a total
change in method of management, and
| a reduction of the number Of inmates
are as possible in Connecticut as in
Great Britain, and they may be had.
Two or three subsidiary prisons for the
| detention of prisoners waiting trial, and
| for the confinement of such misde-
| meanants as may not be sent to the re-
| fcrmatory, are entirely sufficient. There
| is no reason why in these subsidiary
prisons there may not be classified
| ton of prisoners. For example, men
sentenced for the first time might be
sent to one Jail, all women to another,
all FOUNDERS to another, where they
should work for their living until re-
| formed. Such use of our county jails
| is entirely feasible, now that the prob
lem of transportation is eliminated.
But I need not attempt the outline of
possible new system and use of our
present jails. My only contention is for
the abolition of the present county Jail
system. These jails should be part of
the penal system of the state, and be
under state control.
| The last legislature made a splendid
record. More could not have been wise
ly done. The next legislature will have
to act upon the report of the reforma-
tory commission. 1t will also have the
opportunity to help us still further for
ward in the matters have mentioned.
l The question of right in respect of
these propositions is hardly debatable.
1t will be a question of expressed pub
lie opinion. Right here is where we
can all help. The informed and ex-
pressed opinion of the churches will be
| felt in our halls of legislation, in our
4 CVuIIo III JuSllCG anu Ill OuE JAMS etlll
prisons. and Connecticut may soon be,
where she ought to be, at the head Of
the column of progress in this great
movement for the salvation of the lost.
Friends. all this is in the interest of
| saving men. 1t is our Lords own work.
| 1t is first-hand gospel work. Is it not
/ good news" to a mother to have the
probation officer come home with her
| boy that has gone wrong and tell her
that he may not go to Jail, and that he
| will help the boy and help her to help
! him to be a better boy and become a
good man? Wouldn't it be good news
to thousand hearts if it could be pro-
claimed that our jails were transform
/ ed into schools of virtue instead of be-
! ing, as they are, schools of crime
/ What we all need is truer apprecia-
ton of the value Of man, of the worth
of a soul. Having that, we shall strive
in all ways to save men from the
damning power Of sin and help him
into the manhood. and liberty Of the
saved life and to the inspiration of the
service and hope CT the kingdom of our
Lord Jesus Christ. III, +