The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-18

Fifteen years ago a heSitat1ng leglS-
lature passed the parole law, and the
statute was made strict In a vague
way the members of the legislative
bodies knew that one of the greatest
motives that actuate mankind is the
desire for liberty. They had heard ii
shouted many times by the old school
orators in their fourth of July speeches.
1t was an excellent text, which was
hauled out at stated intervals and
cheered wildly and then relegated to
the shadows again.
But the idea of using such a SPLEEN
did sentiment every day and applying
the fact backed theory to convicts was
new. SO the legislature wavered Some
of the members shook their heads en-
phatically, NO." They had been taught
to believe that convicts were criminals
and that criminals were menaces to
the well being of the community. All
convicts were bad. and therefore should
be penned up where their vicious ten
denotes could be curbed-by bullets, if
necessary.
Those men were not to blame for
this perverted view. 1t has been bred
in the blood for generations. With that
idea filling their minds they forgot tc
look further into the question. The
fact that convicts were men and capa-
bic of good as well as bad actions was
not considered The personal element
was left entirely out of their calcula-
lions. "Convicts were convicts." That
settled the matter.
But the friends of the movement
the obdurate ones. They proved that
even a convict with peccant trend
would keep out of mischief when he
was busy. and when his personal liberty
depended on his good behavior. Fur
Their, they proved that the majority of
prisoners in our penitentiaries are not
criminals by nature. but that they ar,
wearing the stripes because they trans
gressed but once.
Still the makers and amenders of
the law hung tenaciously to the old
idea, "A felon is a felon.' With their
cOnlIdCbSO OulAOok lHSy Coulo see no
deeper.
The agitators were determined They
proved that the parole system meant
an immense financial saving to the
state. They proved that prison dis
cipline would be easier to maintain.
They proved that the majority of for
mer convicts, who. under the old
regime, drifted back to the prisons
surly criminals. would. under the new
way, become a force for the law.
The cause was pleaded well. The leg
islators raised their eyes above the
black and white ribbed garment that
proclaimed its wearer a convict. They
looked into his face and saw the man.
Him they Observation-Disclosures not the
felon.
The law was passed. The board of
prison directors was empowered to re-
lease such first term prisoners as were
deemed trustworthy.
knowing that the system was on
triad, the board chose carefully. Only
two or three felons were given their
liberty the first year. Gradually the
number was increased as favorable re-
ports from released convicts came in.
At present an average of IA ticket of
leave men pass through the steel doors
Of the penitentiaries every month to
freedom and a new start.
paroled prisoner is not permitted
to roam and do as his will dictates.
however. Should such condition ex-
list, the parole system would prove as
inefficient and as useless in reforming
men as the pardoning of condemned
felons has done. For when a man is
pardoned he is freed entirely Nothing
but the commission of actual crime can
bring him back to his cell. He is
without prop and usually without a
job: therefore it is easy for him to fall
That is where the pardoning system
fails
The parole law is so constructed as
to remedy this vital point. On proba-
ton the prisoner still remains under
the jurisdiction of the state. Except
that he is at liberty and working for
his own support, he is convict and
amenable to prison discipline. He can
be brought back to the stripes at any
time. That is what occurs when he
breaks the minutest rule in his parole
book. Until he has proven that he can
stand and fight alone he is officially an
inmate of the prison. When he shows