Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-08
PAROLE OF PRISONERS
Provisions of Bill Approved by
Board of Trade.
EARLY Enactment URGED
Difficulties Met in Administering
Justice.
APPROVAL OF THE MEASURE
Appointment of Commission, With
Probation Officer and Three As
sistants, One a Woman.
APPROVAL OF THE MEASURE

The bill for the establishment of a pro-
baton and parole system in the District.
adopted last Friday evening at the meet
ing of the Board of Trade, with instruc-
tions to the proper committee to forward
| it to Congress for consideration as quickly
as possible. is said to be the result OF
weeks of labor on the part Of the Board
of Trades committee which framed it.
and especially Judge Ivory G. kimball of
the Police Court, the chairman of the
committee.
The bill is approved. it is explained, by
all familiar with the difficulties which pre-
sent themselves to a judge in administer
ing justice. and particularly in the cases
of persons arrested for their first offense
and female culpritS. The parollng or
placing on probation certain defendants in
lieu of imprisonment it is claimed, would
be benefit to society in general.
In addition to Judge Kimball. the MEM
bers of the Board of Trade committee
who framed the bill are Messrs. w. c.
Clephane and Charles E. Foster. Before
presenting the bill for action the commit
tee furnished a draft to Justice Stafford
for consideration. The latter pronounced
the bill and its provisions admirable.
Provides for a Commission.
The bill provides for the appointment of
a probation commission consisting of the
justices of the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict for the time being holding the Grim
inal Court. the judges of the Police Court,
the judge of the Juvenile Court and two
residents of the District who have resided
here for at least five years preceding
their appointment. The commission is to
be appointed by the Commissioners of the
District, the members serving for term
of three years, without compensation.
The commission is to enforce the pro-
visions of the law and appoint one chief
probation officer and three assistants,
the former to receive a salary not ex-
ceeding $500, and the assistants, one
of whom shall be a woman, 5000 each.
Provision is made for a clerk at salary
of 500.
The commission may also appoint vOlun-
teer probation guardians to serve with
out compensation.
May Suspend Sentence.
1t is further provided that the judges in
the various courts may suspend sentence
in certain cases after conviction except
treason, murder, rape, kidnapping and
arson. and turn the defendant over to
the probation commission during such
suspension.
The chief probation officer is required
by the terms of the bill to visit the JAIL
wOrkhOuse and reformatory institutions
I'm the District from time to time for he
purpose of ascertainng the character
and habits of the prisoners, and when he
is convinced that a prisoner is reformed,
may become good citizen and may with
propriety and safety to the community be
released from custody upon parole shall
certify that fact to the probation COM
mission. The commission shall examine
such cases. and. if satisfied, shall recon-
mend such paroles to the court which
originally imposed the sentence. No per-
son shall be put on parole without his
own consent.
The courts may revoke or terminate
paroles at any time. Upon the expiration
of the term fixed for such probation or
paroles the chief probation guardian
shall report that fact to the court. with a
statement of the conduct of the person
while on probation or parole, and the court
may discharge the person from further
supervision or 1t may extend the proba-
tion period. If a prisoner on parole shall
commit crime or a misdemeanor while
accepting the privilege he may be recon-
mtted by the court to serve the remain
der of his original sentence in addition
to the sentence for the subsequent Of