The Washington herald., 1910-11-09
A Sociological Problem.


As a people, we have, in recent years,
come to recognize that in the administra-
ton Of justice we have not performed our
whole duty when we have punished by
imprisonment those who sin against So
eiety. But We are far yet. it would seem.
from any adequate solution or the prob
lem OF what is 10 become OF the man
whom prison has marked with an indel-
ible stain and who has, under our pres
ent system. often TO go through life
seriously handicapped by the fact that he
has paid his debt to Justice
Only last week. in New York, man
attempted to commit suicide simply in
despair because he found that society
blocked his way back to decent citizen
ship after he had served a term In pris-
on. He desired earnestly TO lead a new
life; he had learned from his punishment
in prison that dishonesty did not pay:
he wanted 10 work and earn an honest
living. But society. against which he had
sinned. did not take his punishment as
expiation; the knowledge of his sin fol-
lowed him, and he could not get employ
ment so he tried to shuttle of this NOR
tai coil.
The problem of the released prisoner
is one that has occupied much Of the
attention of sociologists and has been
frequently the topic before prison con-
crosses, but it is yet a long way from
solution. Individually. most of US ex-
press the opinion that a man who has
served his term in prison for a crime
should be given 8 chance. but society
as a body-a timid body, fearing the man
who has once waged war against it
frowns on the ex-convict and, In fact
seldom has a place for him. In the
matter of caring for prisoners while they
are prisoners, we have made many inn
| provements, and in the systems of rewards
and punishments in prisons. in measures
/ looking 10 intoxicating self-respect among
prisoners. we have accomplished much
but in the far graver problem of the re-
leased prisoner much remains TO be done
In some of tie States, in this respect
the best that is done is 10 provide the
prisoner with small sum Of money. 4
suit or semi-respectablec clothes. and trans
portation back 10 the place of his con
viction. After that he is left to shift
for himself.
What is needed is some concentrated
effort TO help prisoners who. serving thet
time. are free. to help themselves. MOI
need this be considered solely as a phil
anthropic movement impelled by senti
mentality-not even by a sense of justic,
that society should be expected to feel
The appeal may be made on grounds
much more inviting than any of these
it may be made on the ground of self
interest. For. after all, society as
whole is interested in crime and criminal
chiefly as they affect the state econom
icaly. 1t is getting to be UNIVERSAL,
recognized that crime is wasteful and ex
pensive and that it is not to the econorni
interest of society to create criminals. an,
more than it is to permit them TO com
nit crime and 70 unpublished The grea
bulk of our reform in the treatment o
criminals has had for its basis this mo
tive Of eeonomy-it has been bushes
much more than mere sentiment
How senseless, then. it is to put int
operation in our prisons expensive plant
for teaching criminals trades. for awak
ening In them a desire to do honest work
and then, when we release them. handle
and made" TO deny TO them the chanc
10 go to work! once out of prison, tn
convict becomes a citizen. a workin
member of society, and he should b
allowed 10 bear his share Of the burden
OF society.
The problem Is 10 be solved. we fear
only by a growth in education. in
larger mindedness on the part OF tn
general public II is a problem. however
that cries aloud for solution. and ia thi
day and age. 1t is a disgrace that men
like the poor eX-convict of New Yorl
should be driven TO despair and deaf
because the gates OF industry are close
10 him.
Note the difference: Mayor Gayno
los nnt can State Cha irr,ar, prentil-