The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-26
CIRCUS TICKETS
 FOR PRISONERS
Honor System For Convicts As Tried in Vermont - Sheriff Treats His Charges as Per- sOnal Friends-Men Go Out Alone to Earn Money

Alone 10 Earn MOney
 F. H. Tracy, Sheriff Washington
 County, Vermont.
 Exclusive Service The Survey Press
 Bureau.)
 The bold idea of allowing prisoners to go outside the jail alone and work without guards upon their honor. is in successful operation today in Yer mont. In 1906 the Legislature provid- ed that all male persons imprisoned for certain minor offences may be required to perform not more than ten hours of manual labor within or with out the walls of said County JaiP'. Afterwards a law was passed that all persons convicted of crimes for which the Imprisonment is one year or less should serve their time in these jailS.
 In our jail at Montpelier the aver average number of prisoners has been about thirty-f1ve. At first no one was willing to employ them. The first to cut bushes and do other work on property owned by the Sheriff. Those whose term of sentence was shortest were employed and the State was giv- en fifty cents per day for their labor. The trial had poor success. The men
 
 hardly earned the small sum allowed the commonwealth.
 Afterward a small number were em- ployed on the water system of the city at one dollar per day which was turned over to the State for the law provides that 'the proceeds of such labor if any, shall be applied in pay ment of materials and tools furnish ed....and any balance left shall be turned over to the State treasury" This was almost a failure because the men did as little as possible.
 Finally we hit upon the idea of giv- ing the men part of their earnings and trying the honor system. For three -Aars the State has taken one dollar per day for the service of these men and has allowed them the balance of what they earned. The average wage paid has been $1.75 which gives each man seventy-fve cents for his work unguarded being placed entirely on their honor. During the time over TOO different men have been sent out to work and only two have attempted to escape. One was captured in an- other State after months of liberty and both served sentences for prison breach.
 For two years, We have often been unable to furnish the men needed by farmers, contractors, and for common labor. Often we have had twenty-five men working at perhaps twenty diff ferent places. Prison officials some times allow groups of convicts to work without guards but the fact that others are present acts to deter any that might think of escaping. Very many of our men work absolutely by themselves. They have always worn plain clothing with nothing to dis tinguish them from the ordinary la borer. Occasionally men have become in toxicated while out working. In ev- cry case charges have been brought against them and they have served time for the offense. Since 1906 the proceeds turned into County for prison labor have exceed- ed the combined total of the other thirteen counties. The sum paid to the State from this county has fn- creased five fold within three years. The real benefit has come from the fact that r have had a chance to help themselves and their families As a rule they save their money to help those dependent upon them at home. In this way the force of the misfor- tune has been somewhat tempered to their families which have been enabl- ed to buy food and clothing. The policy of trusting the men has
 
 | feel that we are eager to show our authority by ferreting out the least 1 infraction of prison discipline. Our efforts to make their imprisonment a little less hard are appreciated. We learn some of the causes which led 1 to their confinement. In many in- stances by inspiring confidence in dis couraged men We have helped them to turn over a new leaf.
 l Some time ago Forepaugh and Sells Brothers Circus exhibited in Mont pelier There was no work that day for eleven men. We purchased CIT. l GUS tickets for them and allowed them to go without an escort. Some had long terms to serve and the crowd | and darkness furnished an excellent | opportunity for escape. Fifteen min utes after the performance was over every one was back. Trust a man in l this way and he repays the faith plac- ed in him and shows his thanks by better work and. by frankness instead | of sullenness toward the jail officials. Every man has to do laborer's work no matter what his occupation has been or is. Although this is one of | the strongest labor sections in New England. we have had no trouble on that account Part of the reason is | that the men in order to have as much money as possible for them selves over and above the amount raid to the State do not underbid the ordinary labor market which is the reason why in many States there is such bitter objection to convict la- bor.
 For two years no man has been refused the chance to go outside and work. Many who were serving sen tence of a year have been trusted in this way. One man who is serving a sentence for jail breaking and who was caught in Massachusetts after a search of six months. goes to his daily work without any restraint save con- science.
 The plan we have tried has been fortunate enough to attract the atten- tion throughout the State and even be- yond it's borders. As the Governor Of Vermont has often commented the work. the method by which we have tried to help prisoners to help them selves is quite likely to be followed more extensively in this State. We have not tried for financial success Tn l this work but with the hope that un- fortunate men who have almost lost their grip on the ladder might be helped.
 O anNrECIE (TyJEC