The Detroit times., 1910-06-15
BY ALFRED ). PITTS.

(Stan Correspondent OF Inc Itmeo.C
JACKSON, Mich. June 15.--Ona
hundred and fifteen convicts In
gloomy Jackson prison have been con-
demned TO spend their natural lives
there. But, Notwithstanding the dark
future that coIfronts them they ara
as whole. the most trustworthy or
all the prisoners. There are several
elements that make for a cheeful dis
position for these wretches, the MAJ
jorjty of whom end their days behind
the prison walls. The principle one IL
the hope. which is usually foriorn
enc. that some day a parole will per-
nit, them to walk free into the great
throbbing world, In which some Of
them have played important roles
To-day seven lifers are allowed 20
travel In all parts of Jackson. They
are employed as drivers of delivery
wagons and In other occupations.
Ask Warden Wenger, who has spent
many years dealing with and studying
criminals. which is the most desperate
type to handle and he will tell you the
yeggman. This class of criminal II
usually dope fiend when he reaches
the penitentiary. He must receive
treatment in the hospital for the habit
which he acquired while boating
around the country. But IL does not
follow that the use OF drugs alone
makes him desperate and disagree-
able.
The gruff habits and the brusQu0
manner he assumes during his dfpre-
dations seem 10 stick to him. Even
after ne has been treated successfully
for the drug habit--usually he has
used morphine or cocaine, he must
be watched very closely.
Another type of prisoner who Ii In
class with the yeggman SO far a.
scheming to escape or to cheat the
ends Of justice in other ways is COO
cerned is the hobo who commits bur-
e!ary, porchclimbing, and other petty
offenses, the penalty for which is from
one TO five or seven years. Warden
Wenger says the hobo, better known
as the bird of passage" according 70
the prison vocabulary, will try to es-
cape IL he has only fifteen minutes
more OF his sentence TO serve.
1t Is an interesting tale to hear how
the Jackson prisoners are grouped &C
cording to their records. They are
watched very closely from the time
they enter the gray walls that tower
some 80 to 40 feet. The guards are
usually good judges and II, after criti-
cal observation, a prisoners conduct
Is found TO be good, he is granted GER
tain privileges.
The lifers are enjoying their full
share OF these privileges. Asked why
the lifer Is the most reliable OF the
prisoners. Warden Wenger said he
generally commits crime in the heat
of passion, and afterwards tries TO
make the best of his surroundings,
though gloomy and miserable they are
compared with his former environ
ments. Two lifers were paroled re-
Gently. circumstances having develop
ed TO warrant such procedure, and
these instances, though widely separ-
ated they may be. lead the most OF
the lifers 10 hope for the day when
they will be freed.
leading magazine published an
article recently that the warden OF a
penitentiary in California had made
striking advance in prison reform
He had put most OF his prisoners on
their honor, allowing them unusual
liberties, the article tells us. and the
convicts, instead OF attempting to es-
cape, remained faithful TO the trust
that had been placed IN them by
their keeper
Warden Wenger believes this il
more idealistic than anything else.
Taking Jackson prison for an Illus
tration. the plan would fail miserably.
There are only 20 per cent OF the
convicts here who could be allowed
liberties with any degree OF safety. It
would be the height of folly 10 permit
the other rs per cent to get beyond
the sight OF the guards.
The average prisoner Is reformed
by q term in prison, says Warden
Wenger. Few OF the men who were
pardoned by Gov Pingree have re-
turned The percentage OF IN con-
victs who secure their freedom by
expiration OF sentence. or otherwise.
and are brought back TO begin new
sentences CT TO complete unfinished
ones, is about is or go per cent IA.
the yegg and hobo class. though. this
percentage may be higher, because +
this class OF prisoner often goes TO-
other states and gets In wrong.
But, as q whole. a term In jackson
prison teaches the average Law vio-
later a bitter lesson and makes him
look to the penitentiary with horror
a,
sUNDAY--rish and F1IDe1 - 4o1E/
with Mushroous Dlnucr. 80 From ><%X@