Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-16
JA|LS AND PRISONERS
Annual Congress of National
PRISON. Association
IN SESSION AT CHICAGO
Many Interesting Problems Discussed
by Delegates.
CRIME CODE REVISION TALK
Papers Read by Wardens From vari-
GUS Sections of the Country-The
Chaplains' Work.
CRIME CODE REVISION TALK

Chaplains' Work.
Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHICAGO, September 16.-Quoting a Ger
man penologist at this mornings session
of the National Prison Association,
now meeting in this city, ]. 1. Gilmour.
warden Of the Central prison of Ontario
said: 'Twenty-four hours contact with the
habtual criminal is sufficient to ruin the
young and first offender" He emphasized
the great Importance of good visitors to
the prisons and said that there are few
spheres in the realm Of sociology that re-
quire more capable. judicious and expe-
renced workers than this. The unfit mis-
sioner in prison will do infinitely more harm
than good, for he will only serve to de-
velop the criminals cunning and guile and
to a large extent become clay in the pris-
oners hands, nodded at his will. Our OBJ
servation is that it takes at least two years
of personal contact and study to qualify
one for successful work along this line.
People with large hearts and small heads
need not apply.
Some years ago, at the request of Com
missioner Eva Booth and Col. Pugmire, we
opened the Central Ontario prison to the
acts of our official life. The armys trained.
judicous and indefatigable worker practi-
cally lives at our prison, spending hours
daily on the galleries going from cell to
cell, learning the mems desires and require
ments and gratifying them as far as right
and possible
What Prisoners Appreciate.
While prison inmates as a rule are ap
preciative Of kindness from prison Off
oto 1S fhax, otIl TAFT -
kindness from other sources, for they
recognizez, and rightly so, that disinterested
service Is the highest service.
Among the advantages Of this system
Is the care Of prisoners families. The
thorough and extensive organization, COW
ertng practically the whole country, pro-
vides judicious means Of studying fam
lily history and aiding where necessary.
This Is a great consolation to the bread
winner in prison. The same system has
provided work for every man leaving
prison who needs 1t, and is willing to ac-
cept 1t. We regard this as fair test of
a mans sincerity in desiring to reform.
One of the worlds great hearts tells US:
Correction does much, but encouragement
does more. encouragement after censure
is like sunshine after shower OF such
Is judicious prison visit"
To Revise the Criminal Code.
A revision Of our criminal code is called
lOT III Tic report VI tuo COIHNlltco Ou pre-
ventive and reformatory work presented
to the meeting today. Such revision would
render impossible such an episode as the
notorious Thaw trial. The report says:
"Our criminal code should be revised.
The system Of fees permitted to be charged
In the defense and prosecution Of the Grim
inal classes of today Is wrong. A citizen
who Is wealthy and commits the crime of
embezzlement or murder should not be
permitted to pay for his defense before the
criminal court dollar more than the state
pays in defending a man who commits
murder and has not the financial backing
or means of defense.
I'm our judgment our legislatures and
the federal government would do well to
consider this important question. If we
have the right by law to regulate the great
corporations of this country to the point
of fixing minimum and maximum scale
of charges in transacting their business,
we should certainly have the right to regu-
late the fees and expenses In the prosecu-
ton and defense of all cases that come be-
fore our criminal courts.
I'm our opinion one of the greatest social
evils of today Is that which permits the
criminal with fortune or with influential
friends behind him to escape punishment.
Such proceedings in civilized country like
this breeds anarchy and crime. In the
trial of all criminals there should be just
as great a reward for honest methods IN
the prosecution Of criminal as there Is In
his defense and acquittal. We believe TINS
and deliberate consideration by the law
makers Of our land
"Drawing GUNS" on Prisoners.
How does it affect a prisoner to be con-
tinuaIly watched by a man with loaded
gun on his shoulder" That was the ques-
ton brought up In this mornings discus
sion. Warden butcher Of the Colorado state
reformatory said that restlessness Is one
Of the characteristics Of prisoner, and
against that must be placed reasonable
method OF control and detention. but the
resort to physical force, except when abso-
lutely necessary. or the unnecessary display
of firearms in and around penal insttu-
ton Is fraught with as grave dangers and
productive Of as evil results as any depar-
ture to the other extreme can be.
Law and order command respect only
when properly enforced by proper methods"
he declared.
IAN officer using force on prisoner when
unnecessary makes him feel about as per-
son does when attracted to some excite
ment on the street Of city where crowd
has assembled and policeman comes along
and gives orders to move on, emphaszing
such command with rough push. While
we recognize his authority and obey his
command, we resent the manner in which
he discharges his duty and cannot fall to
lose respect for lin even though we may
not show 1t.
THE unnecessary display Of firearms can
not fail to have a harmful and detrimental
effect on the minds OF most prisoners. It is
not necessary to wave the flag of force and
power continually in his face to impress on
his mind the danger surrounding him, did
he for any reason invite the suspicion or
wrath of some officer. He knows as well as
you that the requisite means are at hand
and that sufficient steps will be taken to
Immediately and efrectually stop him in any
attempt at wrongdoing. An immense stone
wall stands in hts majesty mounted by
guards watching closely. lest some one at
tempts to scale 1t. 1t is almost an assurance
within itself against escape. This silent
power, great as 1t Is, becomes offen-ive and
oppressive when unnecessary and uncalled-
for precautions obtain"
What the Prison Chaplain Does.
This afternoons session of the congress
was a public meeting OF the National Chap
lains' Association.
DR.. Steelman, president of the association,
said:
John Howard. the prison martyr died
100 years ago. The atmosphere of the world
still vibrates with his prayer: DO Thou .
Lord. visit the prisoners and captives. Help,
Almighty God
Immense advancement has been made
since his day in prison theory. discipline