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

But. with all his preparation. the
same thing happens as it has to others
He forgets the whole thing when hel
stands before the board. When the
striped clad fellow enters the room,
about the only thing he sees is a mass
of blurred faces and a chair, inviting,
empty. He is ordered into it. Usually
he loses no time in obeying His legs
are very wobbly.
Seated. both hands gripping the pol
ished edges of the chair, he glances
furtively about him. The prison pallor
Is replaced by flush and he is breath
ing hard from the excitement The
ocean of figures resolves into eight
men, the warden. parole officer, clerk of
the board and five directors. his court
of appeal. The prisoner is told to
state his case The looked for oppor-
tunity has arrived and the petitioners
tongue cleaves to the roof of his dry
mouth. At best he mumbles but few
phrases
But the board members understand.
been staged by the preceding convict.
The one following will do the same. So.
by diplomatic means, the mans story is
pried out piecemeaL They listen to his
broken plea, and then he is dismissed.
Mentally kicking himself. the pris-
oner goes back to his cell. The direc-
tors Toll back in their chairs and smile.
All they wanted was a good look at
the man. They knew him before he
entered the door. If he is considered
worthy, parole is granted. other
wise the convict must remain a while
and later try again. There is always
hope. and the door to parole is never
closed to first termers.
The successful applicant is turned over
% the parole officer. a recent addition
to the system, made necessary by the
great number of convicts at large. The
two have talk together. The rules
lnder which he is to be released are
explained The prisoner is told that
he must not touch intoxicating liquors
or drugs, and should he be found in a
saloon he commits a breach of his
parole. Then he is cautioned to report
once month in person to the sheriff
of the county in which he is domiciled.
and to make a written statement Of
all his doings, the amount of money
earned and how much of it he has
saved. There are several other matters
on which he reports. all of which are
forwarded to the parole officer. other
wise his actions are free and uncon-
fined.
The paroled prisoner puts UP de-
employer to be used to bring him back
to prison should he transgress the
parole rules. And then he is released.
This occurs between the 1st and 10th
of the month. Given his ticket of
leave" the man goes to his employer
and his work. He is on his honor. He
has his chance, the coveted, longed for
chance to make good. The result of
the parole system has proved encour-
aging indeed Men who before con-
hnement had allowed their vicious
tendencies to guide them have under
the influence exerted by parole" be-
come temperate. saving citizens. 1t is
not putting it too strongly to say that
the conviction of these men. later lib
Grated on probation. has been their
making.
In the great majority of cases. how
ever. the men are merely convicts; VIC
Tins of one evil circumstance, and not
criminals In the true sense of the word.
Such men only need the chance. and
given the proper conditions they will
take care of themselves.
Look over the records of these men.
One paroled prisoner, out three years.
has a bank account of $4,000. An
other is making $500 every month, and
SO on down to day laborers, who save
so per cent of their wages. All, are
working and saving. Only one is out
of employment, and he is sick
BY it's results is a thing judged And
the parole system stands today q SPLEEN
did success. an impressive monument
to the efficacy of liberty restrained only
by a mans given word.
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