Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-23
CHANCE TO Be GOOD
Parole for Lawbreakers Pro-
vided for in Bill.
EMB0DIES PROBATION PLAN
Commission to Supervise and Advise
Leniency to Offenders.
DISCRETION ALLOWED COURT
Recipient Of Favor Must Obey Man
date Of Probation Guardians, Who
Will Watch His Career.
EMBODIES PROBATION PLAN
DISCRETION ALLOWED COURT

Evidence Of the advance of ideas con-
corning the treatment of criminals and
the effort to reform them is found in the
bill drafted by Justice Stafford and Judge
Kimball and sent to Congress with the
approval of the corporation counsel and
the Commissioners.
The bill outlines q system for the pro-
baton and parole Of those who have
pleaded guilty to crimes. but who may
yet be saved to good citizenship without
the restraining influence Of steel bars.
First offenders, men who have stolen to
provide food for hungry children. young
fellows who have been led into wrong by
bad companions and who are punished
sufficiently by being found out. and the
long list of unfortunates who. under the
rigorous laws Of the land, have had to 60
to prison simply because there had been
no discretion allowed the Judge. may, un-
der the proposed parole. be spared the
humiliation Of penitentiary stripes. and
with the aid Of the parole commission and
its officers may turn down the old page
and glue it fast forever.
Excepted from Probation.
The plan excerpts all defendants who
have pleaded mot guilty." and permits of
no probation and parole Of those guilty
OF murder. arson. kidnapping and certain
atrocious crimes Of violence. The COM
mission is to be made up Of two citizens
OF the District OF 1--WE years residence and
the judges OF the courts dealing with
criminals.
The commission will supervise. The ac-
tive work will be done by q chief proba-
ton
assistant probation officers and a clerk.
The bill distinctly states that where
the Judge fs satisfied that the best inter-
ests OF the community may be served and
tence for such time and upon such terms
- his discretion will dictate and turn the
defendant over to the commission.
The probation guardians will then watch
the man or woman closely. Tho offender
will have to report to them at stated in
tervals.
II they tell him to leave drink alone
he will have to do II, or run the danger
Of the execution OF his sentence. He will
be furnished with q written statement Of
the terms OF his parole 80 that there will
be no misunderstanding.
Not only will the commission and the
guardians deal with cases where sem
tence is suspended but the scope OF the
bill Is wide enough to include the pris-
oners at the Jail and workhouse and the
prisoners are held and to let free under
parole the prisoners who show evidences
Of reformation. The bill specifically d.
reefs that probation guardians and as
sistants shall make regular visits to these
places and have an actual drst-hand
knowledge OF what is going on among
the prisoners.
Chance for Prisoners, Too.
The same list OF crimes that prevents
the suspension Of sentence under this
probation bill prohibits the parole and
probation OF sentence after conviction
and after the prisoner il behind the bars.
But all other prisoners have the chance
to escape the plain fare and rigorous dis
cipline Of jail and penitentiary IL they
really show an interest In becoming good
citizens again.
II would not be an easy matter to 70 on
parole. once the prison doors changed shut.
with the prisoner on the inside. The
be acquainted fully with the mans
prison behavior. He would report the
case to the commission. The commission
would investigate the matter carefully,
and then the court which passed sentence
would pass on the matter.
II the court placed Its approval on the
parole. the prosecuting officer would have
to say yes" In the case Of United
States prisoners. the Attorney General
himself would give the final appreciation.
The prisoner himself can recommend
his own parole. Any Of his frienss have
the same privilege. The bill provides for
thorough investigation in every case.
But once a prisoner breaks his parole,
he has forfeited his one chance to redeem
himself in the eyes of the law. He will
have to serve his unexpired or unexecuted
sentence. in addition to any other sem
tence which he may bring upon himself
for the commission Of a second ofcense.