Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-01
TELL OF PRISON LIFE
Leniency in Discipline Is Urged
by PenoIogists.
METHODS ARE SUGGESTED
Shooting Of Escaping Prisoners De-
nounced IS Barbarous.
GEN. CASTILLO IS APPLAUDED
Cuban Patriot Hopes for Institution
Of Parole and Indeter-
inmate Sentence.
METHODS ARE SUGGESTED
GEN. CASTILLO IS APPLAUDED

The various phases OF prison life and
the methods Of prison discipline were
discussed. under the five-minute rule.
at todays session OF the American
Prison Association. in convention at
the New Willard
Shotgun System Denounced.
That any prison system depending
upon the shotgun belongs to the bot
tomless pit and should be consigned
there as soon as possible was the dec
laration of Frederick C. Pittigrove,
prison commissioner of Massachusetts,,
in discussing the address of Warden
Benham
Don't shoot a man trying to escape"
he said. for we'n get him back in
time. But shoot il he tries to assault
a keeper or other official of the prison.
Prison officers should have a clear
head and warm heart. officers should
be able to think straight rather than
shoot straight. Under the modern
method OF prison discipline / do not
think 1T necessary to shoot on all oc-
casions.'
said Supt. Joseph F. Scott of Elmira
reformatory. New York. ARE system
and organization. Every prison needs
an efficient staff. Officers should be paid
according to the tenure of Office, and
should be selected from civil service
While prisoner is doing the work
assigned to him. he should be made to do
1t for all he Is worth. When, after hours,
he Is resting and his time Is to an extent
his own. he should be encouraged with
kindly consideration"
Cuban Patriot Applauded.
Gen. Demetris Castillo, warden of the
national penitentiary Of Cuba, who led
the Cuban forces at the battle of Santi-
ago, received a warm welcome from the
delegates. He expressed his regret
that in Cuba they do not enjoy as yet
the indeterminate sentence and parole
He is sure that when these modern
methods are introduced the country will
profit.
The next meeting of the Prison Asso-
citation. according to the report of the
held in Omaha. Neb. The time of the
meeting has been left to the executive
committee Of the association to deter
mine.
Prison Discipline Report.
The committee on prison discipline of
the association made it's report at the
meeting this morning.
THE subject of prison discipline says
the report, lis one which, for many years,
has received the attention of the peno-
logical experts of not only the country,
but of the whole world.
The present era of prison reform mas
not been reached without much contro-
versy and the very valuable assistance of
a host of philanthropically inclined indi-
viduals organized for the purpose of in
fluencing the law-making -odies of the
world to adopt such penal systems as
would reform and reclaim rather than
degrade. AS testifying to it's slow and
gradual acceptance, 1t Is amusing to note
in some of the early prison reports ex-
pressions of great fluctuations by officials
who had abandoned the lash or cato
nine-tails and adopted the paddle, shower
bath, yoke, etc, which were considered
much milder and less dangerous In effect
It has been truly said 1t Is not in
mans nature for the mind to be station
ary; 1t must progress in virtue or in vice.
amid such surroundings and under such
discipline as will direct the mind to high
er ideals rather than lower.
1T is highly important to teach
prisoner the benefit to him Of a rfgidly
enforced code of rules and regulations to
ment, mind and morals as foundation
Of useful manhood, whether in or out of
prison; to impress upon him the posi-
bility and advantage of developing In his
own mind, additional rules based upon the
same principles, the faithful observance
of which will correct his past errors and
enable him to become useful citizen
The institutional rules should be plain
and such as could be followed to advan-
tage in the free outside sphere.
Every opportunity should be afforded
q prisoner to know the rules.
THE most effective reform is being ac-
by those methods which aim
to patiently and persistently seek out the
of the individual prisoner
and apply the special treatment in way
Of argument, care and education that
seems most potent to quicken his sensi-
bilities and to fire his ambition to reform.
1.-THE system of taking earnings from
prisoners, as additional punishment for
the violation of prison rules. is mistake;
the object of allowing compensation to
these men is to encourage thrift and to
provide assistance to their families while
they are imprisoned, and also to them
upon their discharge.
1.-The success of the enforcement of
prison discipline depends very largely
upon simple things.
1.-THE prisoner should be made to under
stand that the warden Is his friend: is
there to rightly adjudicate all questions
affecting his interest while in prison, TO
guard him from wrong and to redress the
same There should be no obstacle be
tween the lrisorer and his free access to
the warden, principal keeper, physician
DR. chaplain.
THE quality and quantity Of food fur
nished prisoners should be carefully in
spected by the prison physician, and the
same should be prepared In such variety,
manner and amount as to be inviting aud
conducive to good health
French First to Speak.
The association will meet again at 8 i
o'clock, this evening, when J. Spach, J. |
D., Judge Of the court of appeal of Paris, |
France. will speak on the French Prison |
Society.
George L. Sebon. superintendent Of the |
kentucky Children's Home Society. will |
leliver the report of the committee on |
prevention and probation, which will be |
discussed by Judge Charles A. DeCourcy |
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