Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-03-26
No HELP PRISONERS
Superintendent Lyon, of the
Central Howard Associa-
ton, In the City
TO SPEND a FEW DAYS HERE
Will Attempt to Interest Local societ.
les and Business People in Welfare
of Ex-Prisoners-Wants Employ
ment for Them-object of the Asso
citation and Something of Its Work.

citation and Something of Its Work
| Superintendent f.. Emory Lyon, OF
the Central Howard Association, Chi
cago, arrived in the city this morning
and will remain for few days look
ing after the interests of the associa-
ton he represents. Mr.. Lyon was here
about year ago and did some work
receiving much encouragement from
number of citizens. His work on the
present trip will be largely among
business men, who employ labor, with
the idea of interesting them in the
employment of ex-prisoners who are
worthy, and who are anxious to be-
come good citizens. The work of the
association is wholly for the benefit OF
society, and is one of charity for the
unfortunate.
The objects of the association are
specifically to awaken public sentiment
in behalf of the worthy ex-prisoner;
to secure employment for him and to
act as first friend" to men entitled
to parole; to extend the advantages
of the parole law and the indeterminate
sentence and the Juvenile court law; to
encourage measures for the continued
Improvement of prison buildings and
discipline, particularly in county jails
and city prisons, where it is most need
ed; and to facilitate the organization
Of local and state prisoners aid soci-
cites and to act as a bureau of cooper
alton between them.
The association works on the theory
that it is not what man has been.
but what he has become and will be-
come under the proper influence.
It is also working in response to a
we'll defined feeling on the part of the
public, as well as of prison and char
ity officials, that the fruit Of all pre-
vious prison reform should be pre-
served by more definite and system
attic movement for the better care of
the ex-prisoner.
In Europe this has for many years
been the most efficient means for reduc-
ing the number of recommitments.
Thus far in the United States such
work has been confined to local and
personal efforts, here and there, and
some few state prisoners aid societies,
notably in the east.
Some states having the parole law
have provided parole agent to look
after as many as practicable of the
paroled men, but even these have been
unable to provide for all of the men as
soon as they are eligible for parole, and
no state has made provision for dis
- tl,a mo- n L.
untary work, such as that OF the Cen
trail Howard Association.
Ii has been conservatively estimated
that the cost for caring for the Grim
mails of the United States, including
that of prison officials, courts. trials,
witness fees, ETC., without considering
the cost to the citizens of the depre-f
dations of the men themselves, is $780,
100000 per year. This immense figure
will at first seem incredible, but
1T is the result Of careful computation.
BY others this expenditure has been
put even higher, one authority hav-
ing placed 1t as high as $60.00O,O0O. 1t
is evident that if the numbers of those
who are included in this class OF often
ders, can be reduced. the cost to the
state In every way will be decreased.
The Central Howard Association be-
lieves that this can be done, and this
belief is strengthened by the actual re-
suits, as shown in the annual report of
the association, in which out of 132
new cases only eleven have in any way
betrayed the trust placed in them. The
question may be asked: How Is this
work accomplished" The answer
would necessarily be much longer than
might be expected at first sight. But
stated as briefly as possible the work
begins at either of two places, namely.
in the institution by correspondence,
or after discharge or while on parole,
by personal interview. 1T Outlines hap
pens that the associations at
tention is called by friends
to cases of young men or others
while they are still in prison, and In
such cases the association enters i'm
mediately into communication with
them, sends such encouragement as IT
can, and proceeds to look about for an
opening in which the services of such
prisoners could be used on their re-
lease. 1t has been found that this Is
very much the best way as 1t gives
a greater opportunity to secure work.
SO that on the arrival of the boy or man
he is put Immediately into touch with
his future employer. In Iowa, the work
OF the association is being directed
at the present time to legis-
lation that will establish reforms
tory, a matter that has been discussed
widely by the press of the state and
in other public ways.
The association has grown to large
and its good work Is recog-
nized in all parts of the country by
people and by those who
have seen the results obtained.