The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-04-28
MAKING MANHOOD.

1t has been saiG IT you would de-
velop a great man you must first
catch his great grandfather. From
the waste of great manufactures, by
products are now produced that are a
material part of the profits. The dis
covery of new processes has made
what was formerly neglected and
thrown away very valuable.
The criminal is the waste product
of society. He was considered value
less and hopeless. Punishment was
considered expiation and the prison
system was, built on the theory of
punishment. But modern methods
applied to this waste product Of So
ciety have proved efficient il pro-
ducing high grade manhood, have
given rise to the theory Of punishment
as discipline, and have remodeled the
prison system for first ofense men on
the theory of reformation.
The Elmira State Reformatory,
located at Elmira, N. Y, has been in
operation for thirty years. The ex-
pertinent stage is past, and the theory
of the institution has been vindicated
by success. The inmates Of the re-
formatory are offenders convicted of
their first crime, over sixteen and
under thirty years of age. All but a
very small number are sentenced un-
der the indeterminate sentence. That
is, they cannot be kept in the refor-
matory for longer period than the
law prescribes for their particular
crime, but by personal reformation
this sentence can be largely reduced.
Conformity to the prison discipline,
fitness for society, and proper living
for prescribed period in the world
determine the final release of the
criminal.
The reformatory system takes into
account the whole man. His physi-
cal, mental, moral, and spiritual con
ditions are considered, and the at
tempt is made to develop and correct
aud train him by discipline and edu-
cation into fitness for society.
All the prisoners sent to the insti-
tuition enter it in the second or middle
grade. Advancement to the first
grade or relapse to the third grade de-
pends upon personal conduct and pro-
fciency in the various schools of the
prison.
Upon arriving at the prison the
prisoner is thoroughly examined and
cleansed physically. He is then
closely interviewed by the general
superintendent, his past history is
scrutinized, and his mental capacity
is examined. The prison rules are
explained to him, and he is assigned
to his appropriate place in the school
of letters. He is given work in the
trades school according to his fitness
and capabilities, and placed under
proper physical training. His ad-
vancement or retrogression then de-
pends upon himself. Six months OF
perfect record entitle him to the first
grade, with special uniform, the
privilege of receiving and writing let
tiers once each month, taking his
meals in the dining-room, and con-
versation with his classmates while
eating. He is also eligible to become
an officer of the regiment, monitor
in the shops, or turnkey on the cell
blocks. The first grade men room
two or three in room.
The second grade men are deprived
of most of these privileges. The
members of the third grade are those
men who have fallen from the middle
grade in which they entered, or from
the first grade for serious offense
Those "incorrigibles" who prove ur
willing to reform are transferred te
the state prison, where they are hele
for the maximum sentence for their
crime, less the ''good time" they
earn.
The physical needs and welfare o
the prisoner are carefully cared for
He is properly clothed and under the
care of physician constantly. Th'
gymnasium is equal to the average
college gymnasium, and has capa
BILE instructor. The baths are th'
best and fully adequate to the need
of the men. The inmates are organ
lied into a military regiment, and a
stated times are given military train
ing consisting of military drills ane
maneuvers. Each inmate must spent
certain periods in the shops Of th'
trade school.
His mental needs are supplied b,
the school of letters. Here he /
taught the elements of ordinary edu
cation. The institution has a fin
library, from which the inmates draw
books once each week, unless deprived
of the privilege by reason of failur'
in studies or discipline. A newspa
per called The Summary is publishes
each week by the prisoners, and keep
them informed regarding the event
of the outside world. This pape
lacks the Objectionable features OF tn
sensational newspaper, OF course
Lectures are given by competent in
! structors upon important subject