The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1909-03-01
THE WORK OF THE
SOCIETY FOR FRIENDLESS.

On the first Sabbath of December
1895, there was commenced work
which has steadily grown; and which
resulted, on December 16, 1908, in the
Incorporation of the New Mexico So
ciety for the Friendless now engaged
in the prevention of crime, the employ
ment finding for and after care of dis
charged prisoners, the development of
Jail and prison evangelism, reform in
criminal law and in prison manage
ment. The present Superintendent,
and his family have been engaged in
this work these more than thirteen
years, keeping discharged prisoners
from one meal to three weeks room
and board in their home when work
was not Immediately available, in or
der to reduce as far as possible the
danger of relapsing into crime. Be
cause of ill health in the family for
the past few years the wards of the
Society have had to be sent to hotel
while waiting for employment, which
has given them a better chance to re-
lapse into intemperance, vice and
crime. Therefore there is great need
at present of the 5th department for
which the Society is incorporated, the
Temporary Home where any for
whom there is not found employment
Immediately upon discharge can be
given Christian surroundings, advice,
instruction, and encouragement to live
straight lives when sent to some place
to work. An average of twenty pri-
soners a year are looked after, be-
sides the assistance rendered to many
while in prison each twelve months.
Sometimes six and seven firms are ap-
preached regarding work for wards of
the Society without success because
of every position being filled. More
than one of these wards has had to
be sent to some other commonwealth,
at increased expense, to be cared for
by the prisoners aid society there, be
cause industrial conditions in New
Mexico, and the lack of some one con-
stantIy travelling over the Territory to
get in touch with employers to inter
est them in giving these needy ones
a chance for a livelihood, have made
such course imperative. This is an
tagOniStic to the policy of the AIneri-
can Prison Association which urges
each commonwe to look after her
those in charge of similar work in sis
i ter states. Money is loaned the wards
| when really necessary to get them to
employment or for other use in start
| ing right. Most of these assisted
have become good citizens. Some of
| families have had to he helped in one
way or another, while the supporter
| was In prison. Much OF the CORE
spondence from the Office of the Sup
erintendent of the Society is of ma
ture usually conducted by resident
prison chaplain, where one is employ
ed and like all the rest of the work
of the Society does not cost the Terri
tory cent, even for postage. The
Superintendent conducts THE prison
secular school on Sabbath afternoon,
and the New Mexico Prison Leagle of
Christian Endeavof work too. Over a
thousand letters a year, besides much
printed matter, is the volume of mail
from his office. The Society is the
link between friends and relatives OF
those in bonds and the prisoners; is
the medium through which many in.
Productions of interested parties are
arranged; and looks into the facts OF
cases for any far away friends or low.
ed ones who are not informed. BUT
neither the Superintendent nor the
Society recommend the pardon of any
prisoner. nor has any parole ever been
urged by them, because If done fol
one all would expect similar act The
adoption by the Terrftery of the In
1 determinate Serte1ce with Parole
WIN greatly f-s<rease the task of the
Society because that law makes re
lease direct to employment a condi
ton OF parole, and the Society is the
channel through which the work will
ba secured.