Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-12-14
REFORMATION
AIM AT HOME
State Institution at Jamesbure
Has Had a Successful Year,
Report States.

TRENTON, Dec. 11:--In their re-
port for the year to Governor Stokes,
the trustees of the State Home for
Boys, at Jamesburg, declare that
efforts of those in charge of the insti-
tuition to widen its scope has shown
healthy progress, and that the home
mas enjoyed a most successful year
IN every sense of the word.
The report states that it has been
ever kept in mind that the principal
aim of the establishment is reforma-
ton, not punishment, and the officers
have done their best to make good
citizens out of the boys placed under
their control. The general health has
been excellent, and but few cases of
sickness were reported, and there
were no deaths among the inmates
during the year.
Those of the boys who have been
released under the indenture system
are, in the majority of cases, reported
to be doing creditably and are well
spoken of by their employers. At
present there stands to the credit of
eighty boys the total sum of $3,425.
There are no less than seven boys
who have more than 500 to their
credit. One boy has $500, another
1924 and a third $1S7. During the
year $1,027 has been paid to boys
who have attained their majority.
The trustees remark that it is easy
to see what a help the money so
earned will be to the boys in starting
them in the world as se~lf-respecting
citizens.
More Inmates in Last Year.
At the close of the fiscal year there
were 4S3 inmates in the home, as
against Ala at the beginning of the
year. There were 248 boys received
and 229 discharged. OF ATS boys
who We're paroled during the two
years ending October 81, at least rs
per cent. have done we'll, as but Is
per cent have disappeared or have
been disposed of in some way un-
known to the management. AS an
evidence of the good report of the
boys on parole, it is remarked that
not a case of any magnitude in the
criminal proceedings in New Jersey
has brought to light one of the 500
boys on parole from the institution.
Seven boys returned voluntarily
and ten of those paroled during the
year were returned for violation of
parole rules. The probation officers
are cooperating with the managers
of the home, to which they have rem
dered valuable assistance. In COM
menting upon the work of the insti-
tuition, Superintendent Kalleen says:
we believe that If the probation
system can be extended and strength
ened by the safeguards coming from
experience in probation work, and
the responsibility of parents can be
more fully asserted and fixed, the
| commitments to the home will be
greatly reduced. We have many
small boys, and their presence creates
comment on the part of the visitor,
but in many cases we find, upon eX-
animation, these unfortunate chill
dren, if they have homes, are not
cared for, and the parents, being des-
titute and degenerate, are not suit
able persons to have the care of
them, and therefore the reason for
their being wards of the state.
No Theory in Advance.
I'VE have no theory in advance as
to the reformation of our young de-
linquents and have only our long eX-
perience of the past to guide us in
our work, but we are convinced that
work or exercise, including the school
or shop or farm, with proper instruc-
ton and supervision by persons who
are competent, have tact, instill re-
ligious principles, and are thorough
~ interested in the boy and work,
are the great essentials, and without
them, whether the institution be con-
Quoted on the cottage or congregate
plan, and have few or many pupils in
the cottages, the results will not be
satisfactory"
The superintendent recommends
an amendment to the law to I'VE the
case of a boy who is physically or
otherwise untitled for the care of the
institution, but who is without
friends or relatives to whose custody
he may be released. AS it is, a boy
in such circumstances must remain
in the institution though utterly IN
fitted for it's discipline.