The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-12-17
1f1akfn9 Fl place for Ex=Gonvicts.
~~%~~~~~

A T THE National Prison Con-
~ gress in Richmond, many ques- ,
N tions were discussed relative to
the criminal and his habits,
crime and its cure, punishment and its
notifications. None of these questions
ds of so much importance as that per-
taining to the life of the convict after
he leaves the penitentiary.
According to the report made at this
congress by<Lieutenant Colonel Pug
mire of the Salvation Army OF Canada,
and member of the committee on dis
charged prisoners, there are now within
prison walls on this continent over
100000 human beings. Ofthese great
number will be discharged the coming
year, and the important question arises,
~.W hat shall we do with them?"
Ever since prisons have been known
the unfOrtunates who have served
terms within their walls have been sys-
tematicalIy dehumanized, and when
released have become most serious
menace to society. Until the time OF
the present generation the penal insti-
tutions of this country were places OF
punishment, never places for curing
crime as if it were a disease, and they
who went out again were hard and Bit
ter or full of hOpelessness. The hand
of the world was against them, and
sooner or later crime claimed them
again. A new era has dawned. Led
by the Salvation Army, the Y. M. 9. A.,
the Howard Association, the Volun-
teers of America and several private
philanthropists, society is awakening
to the fact that the ex-cOnvict is, after
all, a human being with feelings, and,
perhaps, hope and ambition cespite his
prison experience. Realizing this, it
means to help him OIL his feet again.
See what has be ell dole by some OF
the ex-convicts' friends in the past
year, according to Lieutenant Colonel
Pugmire's report. The New Mexico
Soc for the Friendless met thirty
prisoners OH their discharge, fOunC
employment for eight and helped six
teen in other ways. The Society to-
the friendless in Texas found employ
ment for 200. The Prison Aid Associ
alton found employment for 237 an(
helped 1O9 in other ways. The Centra
Howard Association found employ
ment for over 1000 and helped 1,8O'
Others. The Massachusetts Societ!
met 1000 on discharge and helped owe
half of tt e 70 in some way. The prisol
aid departme 1t of the Salvation Arm
of Canada met nearly 1,400 prisOl er
on discharge and found employmen
for 700. The prison Gate Mission
the Eastern territory of the Salvation
Army of the United States, Of whic
work Evangeline G. Booth is commal
der, found employment for 2l4 ex-pris
oners, gave meals to nearly 5000 an
lodgings to over sixte Ell hundred.
The Salvation Army methods ar
typical of the way in which the priso
aid societies help the newly-freed ma
to his feet again. To prisoner pas
ing thru the big iron gates for the lir'
time in perhaps ten or fifteen year
the world would seem dreary place
relatives gone, friends grown indiffe
ent and the old shame heavy on h
heart-were it not for the letter he ge
which reads:
"Dear friend: According to presel
indications you will be receiving yo'
liberty in a few days, on which tt
Salvation Army takes this opportuni'
of congratulating you. Now, mar
men leave prison without either hon
or employment and fnd themselves
very bad way as a result. We hol
your prospect is better: If it is not '
invite you to call at the above addre
We want to help you if you need
Wishing you bright and happy +
ture, we are yours sincerely"
The Salvation Army in New Yo
has on its list of patrons the names
some Of the biggest and most infiue
tial manufactures and business nc
who are willing to give an ex-convic'
chance. Always, tho, this fact
mains: He must take menial VOL
According to an old world belief. VIII