New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-27
STREET OR RAILWAY

bic delay the young girl under arrest was brought
before him: her trial generally occupied a very
short time the offence invariably admitted.
and the child received her sentence and at once
removed with the adult offenders In the 'pauer a
salade" Convict omnbus) to the female prison OF
st. LAzaTe. This establishment Is IN a highly uu-
satisfactory condition. and accommodates female
criminals OF all categores its faulty construction
making the isolation imposed by the state on all
offenders quite impossible This prison will as a.
matter OF fast, be closed soon possible. Young
girls are never sent there now but always and only
tu Fresues
In Judging the girl before him tho magistrate
had three courses open TO him. He could sentence
her 10 q term OF imprisonment OF from one &c six
months at ST Lazare. thereby branding her for life
with the prison mark: he could send her 10 the
Maison de Correction treformatory) for a similar
period OF time which from its brevity must be
quite without effect moral nature OF the
child. or he could send her back TO tho home from
which she had come. where her surroundings would
probably be Of the worst description. Since Il is
the aim OF tho State that sentences OF the criminal
courts shoald be both punitive and preventive
such system obviously faulty. and It has
been modified ian the way I shall describe
Every minor charged in the police court Is now re-
manded by the magistrate for a considerable period
weeks and even months oiapsihg before the trial
During this period the child is sent 10 a home (ass
temporairc). where Il is subjected strict sur
Neilance. discipline and education. Meantime a
careful Investigation IS made into it's antecedents
the manner OF life OF IT'S parents. health. OF
livelihood. and any special circumstances hearing
upon ihc present situation OF the young offender
The conduct and temperament of the child are
beiloG,ally reported To the magistrate and IL It is
Iouild capahie or Improvement. may kept Alto
Gethtr by the Assistance Pubique. II on tha
contrary, u shows symptoms OF moral perversion
the magistrate and brought up for trial iu dua
course. Then, at the discretion of the fudge who
IS thoroughly cognzant OF all the details OF the case
~ may De given a time Jail. and sent O
one Of the pcutental colonies IL may la sent a.
rect 10 those institutions and kept TIL its majority
the law in 1898 gives tho magistrate power to hand
a deserving case to some one OF the nrivate
SocltteS 10 b" educated aEi fitted for independent
ne Ihere are many such societies, some OF which
LecelFe "a SUBSIDY from the state, OtherUfas
depending upon private voluntary CONTRIBUTIONS
,for children requiring such severe meast1res
mere Is a section of the great prison recently
Iecuon paternelle." The occupants OF these cells
haze been brought thither by their own parents
anu NOT by the law. wholly preventive NOT
punitive, measure. such children can he renewed
anu they can be visited freely. They are known
only BY their numbers, their and origin being
SSItIulIy suppressed in order that their soourn IN
them. S0N 0sA-''9'
At the expiration of the sentence the Young
onenoer Is handed either TO one or other uri-
ton and TT her for life IN common once more or
20 me Maison de Correction attached to the psnf-
leLtlary colonies In the provinces Here the girl
years. N'NJ A"''
word TO the prison OF Fresnes The .st,b-
ushrent Is on the most modern lines with an adj
lighting end sanitation. Each cell Is well lighted
with large window Of ground glass and ire IN.
mate receives three good meals day. All are
taught different useful womanly occupatiors-sev-
ing. laundry. etc-and extremely good the WORK
Is. As child Of fifteen Remarked To an Anal
can woman who visited the prison and admired