Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-01-12


particularly in the south, but only with
partial success. There, those serving
sentences for crime are of an entirely
different type of criminal from those
Incorporated in the western prisons
They are not of the desperate or dan
gerous class, but in many instances
men who fare as well If not better
within the prison walls than they do
on the outside, and are not anxious to
leave even when their terms have ex-
PRED The consequence is that even
with n small number of guards and in
secure places to house the prisoners at
night at long distances from the pris-
on, there are few attempts Mt escape.
With us, it is safe to say, that n small
percentage of those confined in the
penitentiary could be entrusted outside
the walls without a strong force of
well-armed guards and steel portable
cells in which to confine them when not
at work. A much larger percentage Of
them are sullen, desperate and danger
Gus men, who would not hesitate to
take life, if the chances were anywhere
even for successfully eluding the
guards.
i suggested to the last session of
the Legislature that the proper steps
be taken for securing comprehensive
data on this subject as basis for
the enactment of n law adapted to the
conditions in this state, but no action
was taken in the promises. The sub
ieet is one fraught with many Difficult
ties and dangers, and radical legisla-
tion should never be ventured upon
without thorough Investigation and
consideration. | have thought that it
would be wise to appropriate a sum
of money as was done two years ago
for the improvement of some of the
roads in the neighborhood Of the state
capitol utilizing as far as possible
convict labor in conjunction with such
facilities as the county authorities
would furnish. In this way an object
lesson can be supplied for future guild
ance. In addition to this a law might
be passed providing for utilizing some
of the convicts upon the public roads
on the requisition of any county desir-
ing them, the cost of maintenance to
be paid by such county. The cost
would not be great, and the results
would fully compensate for the outlay.
To send large number of convicts far
from the penitentiary would necessi-
tate the construction of portable steel
cells, where they could be safely con.
fined when not Mt work, and an appro-
priation would have to be made for
that purpose To minimize the danger
of escape, double time might be given
TO each prisoner for faithful service
while so engaged.
A measure framed along these lines
when given n fair trial would test the
availability of prison labor on the pub
lie highways, and if found feasible and
profitable it could be extended to meet
conditions as occasion may require.
Criminal Insane.
There are now confined in the in
sane asylum about 10 insane cOnvicts,
who have been transferred from the
penitentiary from time TO time within
the past 80 years. Two Mt least of
these are serving life sentences for
murder in the second. degree, whilst
nearly all of them are hardened crim
inals. There are serious objections
from n sentimental as well rs from a
practical standpoint to removing the
criminal insane to an institution de
signed for the civil insane, unless some
arrangement can be made for their en-
| tire isolation from the latter and Mt
the same time to so safeguard them as
to prevent escape. Humanity dictates
that they receive at the hands of the
authorities such treatment as is most
| likely TO restore mental equilibrium,
and IL is impossible to accord this
within the walls of the prison without
employing physicians and attendants
skilled in mental disorders. The small
number Of convicts thus afflicted will
not Justify this additional burden upon
the taxpayers. The time may come as
the population of the state increases
when convict asylum within the
prison enclosure may become a neces-
sity, but for the present sufficient
money should be appropriated to fit up,
with regulation cells to guard against
escape and to secure isolation, por-
tion of one Of the wings and enclosures
Of the asylum.
This suggestion Is concurred in by
the superintendent of the asylum and
penitentiary.
Youthful Criminals.
One of the saddest things TO reflect
upon in connection with prison life is
1.-THE large NUMBER OF youths ranging
in years from 10 to %. AS will be seen
by reference to the report of the su'
perintendent, 1906 out of 1892 prisoners,
or about 32 per cent, are under 20 years
of age, and about ~ per cent are un-
der IL years Of age. 1t is safe to say
that in most of these cases the prison
ers are serving first terms. About 10
per cent Of all the inmates are wholly
initerate, whilst n much larger percen.
tage can do little more than read and
write, and this percentage will hold
good for the youthful as well as the
older convicts. | realize that the first
purpose of punishment Of crime is the
lprotection Of society, but there Is no
reason why strenuous effort should not
be made 10 reclaim at least the young
or criminal classes, and il possible re-
afora than IN uaaful pifiZpuahiD There