The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-09

the chaplains. in maintaining and. de-
veloping societies for Christian worship
The prison league of the penitentiary,
Chaplain ]. d. Merriam president. has
added 81 members during the year and
dismissed Al upon expiration OF SEN
tence. The league of Christian En-
deavor at the reformatory has added us
members during the year and dismiss
ed q on expiration of sentence The
influence Of the league permeates the
doing effective work and are giving the
society very substantial aid
PRISON REFORM.
This department undertakes to devel-
op sentiment for and to secure the en-
actment OF laws (which seek to reform
the criminal classes the legislative
session Of 1903 the society had charge
of the lndeterrninate~ sentence act which
became law and placed our state
penitentiary on rerormatory basis.
During the two years intervening the
law mas been explained and defended
among both private citizens and public
officials In the present session we are
laboring for the passage of a law es-
tablishing a juvenile court and for the
appointment of parole officer at. Lam
sing, whose duty it will be to inVeSti-
gate cases applying for parole, to care
for unworthy paroles, and to do such
other official work as not only does not
rightly ran to US. but which also in
terfereS with reforming and character
building work of the society. We are
also cooperating with others in behalf
of laws regulating child labor, against
in the public schools and for all legis-
latlon Safe-g guarding the home and the
rights of childhood and youth. The
services of the general Office have been
free for consultation to all public Off
Gals in connection with jails and pris-
ons and number have awaited them
selves of the privilege
PRISONERS AID.
In this department 76 people have
been found employment. Many more
have been aided in a large number of
ways which cannot be tabulated. Some
of these have been under our care for
the entire year In the restoration of
an individual "aftercare" is a larger
part than employment finding" Fam
lies have been reunited, families of
prisoners visited and aided, arrange
mentS made to surround our proteges
with helpful friends personal atten-
ton given for months to especially
needy cases, in short continuous over
sight and care have been given to
large number of people. A valuable |
and necessary adjunct to this is the
TEMPORARY HOME.
This is maintained by the society TO !
temporarily aid released prisoners and
other friendless people. 1t is the res
idence of the general superintendent |
and is duplicated in part by the resi- |
dences of the district superintendents- |
In this home, during 1904, needy per-
sons have been sheltered 2S7 days. |
They were taken into the family life
under the direct care of the matron
and have ben cared for. taught and |
encouraged. Only one of these has re-
turned to crime and not until he was
beyond the reach of the home in |
huence. Some have renewed Christian |
lives and Others, converted into the |
leagues. have been strengthened. The /
home has been open the entire year. |
The boys living within reach call
and Sunday afternoon has
often been an informal reception.
They call it looming home and many
say that it is the only one they have
ever known. On April we moved to
a larger house, which we have already
outgrown. We sorely need a larger
plant with light industries, centrally
located. This is one of the best oppor-
tunities in the west for a large mis-
gift.