Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-09-05
How the Probation Plan Works.
portland Express.

portland Express.)
Probation officer Geo. W. Grover is
doing a great work in Portland. He is
conclusively proving, that the office of a
probationer is of unlimited benefit to the
community, and that the establishment
of it cannot be called an experiment.
at was the first of April when l was
appointed to Office" said Mr.. Grover in
speaking of his work." and about The
middle of the month when assumed the
active duties of the position. Since that
time l have been occupied with the
cases under my care and can truthfully
say, that all the people out on probation
are doing well and living good lives.
1.-THE only people who have failed in
their trust were given to me at the begin
ming of my term. Sentences which had
been suspended were at once brought
forward and imposed with an additional
sentence for the fresh offence. One OF
these cases was that of a man who was
the first time let out on probation be-
cause the liquor found in his house was
not conclusively proved to belong to
him, though it looked as if he was en-,
gagged in the illegal traffic. He got
drunk week after being let out, was
brought into court and got both sen
fences. The second of these backsliders
got drunk and was given an additional
sentence. The third was a young boy
but nine years old. He ran away &c
Boston after being let out, and when re
turned was sent to the State School fol
Boys.
"These are only three cases where
have had TO recommend that the sus-
pended sentence be brought forward
OF course it is hard to get man to wall
straight right from the start, and allow
ances have to be made. They generally
come around to the straight path after
while.
''Since coming into Office, have haC
turned over to me total of "a people.
OF these 62 are still in town, and the rest
II in number were sent away from the
city. Only three of 81, those have
mentioned, have been disappointment
On my list are the names of Is under
2l years of age, and six women, four OF
whom formed part of the II sent out o.
the city. The men have been very gooG
watched most of them and they are work
ing and doing well.
1.-TWO weeks ago, a man, still drunk
was turned over to my care. kept
track of him, and it was just week be
fore he sobered down, that was weeI
ago Saturday. He got job the follow
ing Monday, worked all last week and il
working now, for all / know.
"Women are usually hard to take car,
of, unless they are sent out of town. Il
they are let out on probation and stay
here, there is no place for them to go
They are usually homeless in the first
place and frequent the low resorts
There they are found and arrested
Should they be let out on probation
they would have no place to 60 excep
those resorts where they were found
and soon they would be as bad OIL a
they were in the first place.
"In the upper court at the May tern
a good appearing young woman was in
dicted on a serious charge. Some PEG
pie took an interest in her, found plac,
for her to work, and there she is nov
has up to date, proved that she wa
worthy of the trust imposed in her.
"The probation system is grand one
1t is more effectual means of reform
than just getting a man to promise h'
will be good, for when he is let out oil
probation, he knows that he must be
have himself properly, or he will no
only get punished for his last offence bu
also for the one on which the mittimu
was stayed. He is placed on his homo
and he feels il.
"You see, know all these old of
tenders. / became acquainted will
them when l was at the Jail. Some o
them have friends who wish to hav
them let off, but how can / when the.
have such records. Occasionally, Their
are exceptions of course, but they ar
very few.
Tomorrow will be report day ant
then J shall hear from those in m,
charge. Unless something happens,
expect to hear from all those who's
names are on my books. They have 60
so, they like to show they can have con
fidence placed in them"