The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-10-25
CIRCUS TICKETS
FOR PRISONERS.
Sheriff Frank Tracy Writes Story fer
"The Survey" on Results of Honor
System, as Tried in Washing
ton County Tail.


successful operation to-day in Vermont
In 1906 the Legislature provided that all
male persons imprisoned for certain mi.
nor ofenses "may be required to per-
form not more than ten hours Of manral
labor within or without the walls of said
county Jail" 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 average
number OF prisoners has been about
thirty.fye. At first no one was willing
to employ them. The first trial made
was to use a small gang to eut bushes
and do other work on property owned
by the sheriff. Those whose term of
sentence was shortest were employed,
and the state was given fifty cents per
day for their labor The trial had poor
success The men had no interest in
their work and hardly earned the small
sum allowed the commonwealth.
Afterward a small number were EN-.
ployed on the water system Of hecity at
one dollar per day, which was turned
over to the state, for the law provides
that "the proceeds of such labor, ii
any, shall be applied in payment OF ma.
terials and tools furnished and
any balance left shall be turned over
to the state treasury" This was almost
failure, because the men did as lttle
as possible.
Finally we hit upon the idea of giving
the men a part Of their earnings and
trying the honor system. For three
years 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 Sl7S, which gives each
man seventy-iive cents for his own use.
The prisoners 90 to their work unguard-
ed, being placed entirely on their honor.
During the time over 700 different men
have been sent out to work, and only
two have attempted to escape One was
captured in another 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 la
Dor Often we have had twenty-five men
working at perhaps twenty different
places, Prison officials sometimes allow
groups OF convicts to work without
guards, but the fact that others are pres
ent 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 distinguish them from the
ordinary laborer.
Occasionally men have become iiltoxi-
Gated while out working. In every case
have been brought against them
and they have served time Tor the Of.
Tense.
Since 1906 the proceeds turned into
the state treasury from Washington
county for prison labor have exceeded
the combined total Of the other thirteen
The sum paid to the state
from this county has increased five fold
within three years.
The real benefit has come from the
fact that men 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 misfortune
has been somewhat tempered to their
which have been able to buy
food and clothing.
The policy of trusting the men has
won their confidence, for they do not
feel that we are eager TO show our au-
thority BY ferreting out the least in
fraction OF prison discipline. Our efforts
to make their Imprisonment a little
less hard are appreciated. We learn
some of the causes which led TO their
confinement. In many instances, by in
spring confidence in discouraged men,
we have helped them to turn over a new
leaf.
Some time ago Forepaugh and Sells
Brothers circus exhibited in Montpelier.
There was no work that day for eleven
men, We purchased circus tickets for
them and allowed them to 90 without
an escort. Some had long terms TO
serve. and the crowd and darkness fur
nished an excellent opportunity for es-
cape. Fifteen minutes after the per
Trust a man in this way. and he repays
The faith placed in him and shows his
thanks by better work and by frank
ness, instead of sullenness toward the
Jail officials
For two years no man has been re-
fused the chance to 60 outside and work
Many who were serving sentence of a
year have been trusted in this way. One
nan who is serving a sentence for jail
and who was caught in Massa
'husetts after a search of six months,
goes to his work daily without any re-
itraint save conscience.
Every man has to do laborer's work,
10 matter what his occupation has been
" is. Although this is one of the strong
st labor sections in New England, we
AVE had no trouble on that account. |
Part OF the reason is that the men in /
rider to have as much money as posi- /
BE for themselves over and above the |
mount paid to the state do not under /
id the ordinary labor market which /
5 the reason why in many states there /
5 such bitter objection TO convict labor |
The plan we have tried has been I
enough to attract attention /
throughout the state and even beyond /
Is borders As the governor of Yer /
mont has often commended the work /
he method by which we have tried to /
lelp prisoners to help themselves is
uite likely to be followed more ex-
ensiyely in this state We have not /
ried for financial success in this work, /
nut with the hope that unfortunate men
gho have almost lost their grip on the /
,I1a, ,,.ss.hf he haIpod u n Trnct- -, I