Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-15
The Probation System.


Many years ago gentleman who
had an interest in his fellow men, John
Augustus, used to go to the police
court in Boston, from time to time TO
look into the cases OF persons VINO
had been arrested who could properly
be released without Imprisonment. He
would assume some responsibility
for them, agreeing with the
court to look after them, ana
Ito see that they were sur
rounded with good influences, with the
hope of reclaiminS them from wrong
courses Later on "Uncle' Cook took
|up the same work, and carried il on for
many years. Neither OF them had
any official position or compensation,
though the latter received a small sal
Ii airy as chaplain of the Suffolk county
Jail.
| The work was so manifestly wise
land so successful, that in 1878 the late
Hon. NJ. j. Flatley, then member of
the Senate, secured the passage of
| law (chap. 1913, Acts of 1879 requir-
| ing the appointment of probation
officer by the city of Boston. His du-
ties, as laid down by the statute, were
to attend the sessions of the criminal
courts in Suffolk county; to investi-
gate the cases of persons charged
with or convicted of crimes and mis-
demeanors, and to recommend to the
courts the placing on probation of such
persons as might be reasonably expect
ed to reform without punishment. He
also was required to visit the offenders
placed on probation at his suggestion,
and to render such assistance and en-
enlargement as would tend to prevent
| them from again offending. The ap-
| pointment of Capt. Edward Fl. Savage.
formerly chief of police of Boston, to
| this office, secured so satisfactory an
administration and so good results that
in 1880 (Chap. 129) law was passed
authorizing the appointment of a pro-
| baton officer in each city and town.
In 1882 the appointment of two adj
ditional officers for the Boston courts
| was authorized.
The law of 1880. being permissve,
was acted upon by only a few of the
cities and towns, the main reason be-
ing that the salary must be paid by
the city or town making the appoint
ment. The law passed by the legisla-
ture of 1891 requires the appointment
of a probation officer. by each munich
|
vides for the payment of their salaries
from the county treasures
| 1t has always been customary to dis
| pose of many criminal cases without
imprisonment. There are many Of
fences committed which do not show
that the offender has Il real criminal
character. The wrong act is at varl-
ance with the general current of the
offenders life. 1t may Indicate Il ten
dency to go in a wrong direction, but
not a settled purpose to do 50. The
offense cannot be allowed to pass I'M
noticed. The safety of the community
and the interests of the offender make
it necessary to arrest him, but neither
of these considerations make it neces-
sary to imprison him though he
needs the warning which comes from
detection, arrest and conviction.
Before the adoption of the probation
system, the only alternative for i'm
| priSOnment was release without re-
straint, the usual method being to lay
| the case ION file But this was in
many cases open to 4 serious obiec-
ton 1t produced n wrong and njur-
iOus impression upon the offender. He
WAS very likely to understand that his
offences We're considered of little or no
consequence, and to be encouraged in
evil courses. There was no control or
! supervision of his future conduct and
so long as he avoided new crimes he
was safe. no matter what his conduct
and cOmpaniOnShipS might be. for it
was nobOdy's business to know his
course of life.
| The probation system remedies these
| defects. 1t produces Il salutary i'm
| preston upon the mind of the offender
| It is important that he shall realize
that by his offence he has to some
extent separated himself from those
who are free to do as they please: that
| he has shown tendencies and weak
nesses which justify the state in as
Stunning an oversight of his conduct,
and n direction of it, in some degree.
He may, with reason, be required to
shun evil copanionS to keep away from
the saloon: to work steadily and sup
port those who are dependent upon
him. etc.
This can be accomplished in only one
| way-by placing him in the custody
and under the control of an officer re-
sponsiblo to the court. who shall have
supervision of his conduct. companions