The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-13
Or. Barrow Speaks on the
Treatment of Criminals. j
TRUE FUNCTION OF JAILS
Among the Great Regeneratve Forces, He De-
clares, is That Of Intelligent and Fruitful
TOil---The Ideal Condition Of
Prison Labor.
(By the Associated Press.)


Atlanta, Ca, May 12-The thirtieth an
nual of the National Association of Chair.
ties and Correction. one of the most sue
cessful and best attended in the history of
the organization, came TO an end tonight.
The principal address of the evening ses-
sion was by Rev. DR.. Samuel j. Barrows,
secretary of the New York Prison Aid AS
ton, who discussed the Treatment OF
criminals.
DR.. Barrow said in part:
Whatever differences may exist as to
methods and systems, there is a femark-
able unanimity among modern penologists
concerning the principles to be APPLIED to
the treatment of the criminal Whether
we look at it from the standpoint of the
individual offender or of society as whole.
we reachx essentially the same conclusion
A penal system to be effective must be
corrective. The protection of society is
best secured not by extirpating the crimi-
nal, but by exterminating his criminality
1t is paradox. for society to punish of
tenders when 1T continues to foster the
conditions which produce them.
must begin as soon as he comes within the
grasp OF the law The true function of a
Jail is simply as house Of detention. The
assumption that Imprisonment is the only
disposition to be made of the offender is
arbitrarily and irrational 1t has already
been demonstrated. after several years of
trial in various States, and countries, that
the suspension Of the sentence and the
release of prisoners on probation are vast
ly more corrective than Imprisonment for
first offenders, since statistics prove that
much smaller number OF those placed on
probation return to crime than Of those
committed to prison
when probation fails at the first Of
fender 1t Is then necessary to restrict his
liberty, bat the assumption that mere
deprivation of liberty will of itself improve
the character of the offender is one of the
greatest blunders of our penal system.
When an offender is from society he should
be submitted to conditions. which are es-
sentially disciplinary and corrective Cor
rectional and reformatory institutions
should be built with this distinct end in
view. The essential features of a re-
formatory system are an improved person
mel IN prison officers, an ancient corps of
teachers, educatiVe and productive indus
tries, graded and making system. ele-
waiting, refining and moral inuences. An
indispensable element is The indeterminate
sentence. The prisoner should remain un-
der discipline until his record shows that
1T IS safe to release him. Even then his
release should be conditional until by good
behavior at large he has earned his alb
solute discharge The parole system in
many States and countries has sufficiently
demonstrated its utility. To secure the best
results it should be absolutely free from
all partisan influences and determined by
the character and conduct Of the prisoner.
Among the great regenerative forces is
that of intelligent and fruitful labor. The
ideal conditions of prison labor aer Sc
cured when the prisoner is employed in
industries which are both educative and
in which discipline is not dis
turbed which by the labor of the prisoner
of the State is reimbursed for his sup
port, and in which the prisoner himself
secures charge of his earnings In the Sc
lection of labor for prisoners that form
should be chosen which will do most to fit
the prisoner for self-support when at lib
erty''
Among the other speakers at today's ses-
sions Homer olks Commissioner of Chari-
ties of New York City, who spoke on 'Di-
sease and Dependence"
Most of the delegates will leave for their
homes tomorrow.