The Washington times., 1910-10-04
international Prison Con
greSS Section Deals With
Other Abnormals.
WOULD ENFORCE
FOREIGN SENTENCE
Delegates Discuss Means of Max
ing Effective Work of
Tribunals.

Treatment OF inebriates, foreign tri-
oonals, parole systems, establishments
Tor abnormals, and vagabond children
were the subjects under discussion this
morning at the four section meetings of
me international Prison Congress. which
Is holding its eighth annual convention
at the Bureau Of American Republics.
II was in section one where the gen
eral subject of penal legislation was un-
der consideration that chief Importance
IN today's work lay. The subquestion
about which argument was most heat
ed was How and in what manner may
erect be given to penal sentences pro-
nounced by foreign tribunals, especially
with reference to habitual criminality
ana legal incapacity?"
Parole Methods.
Another question before the penal
legislation section which is thought
to be Of vital interest was what class
Of offenders shall receive the benefit
OF indeterminate sentences, and what,
IL any, should be the age limitations
OF those upon whom indeterminate
sentences should be passed instead of
the old absolute sentences with only
time off for good behavior. DR.. d.
- Engelin, president of the Tribunal
OF Hutphln, Holland. presided at to-
DAY section Meeting, and Or. Raus-
tenn Nambery, royal attorney of the
University at Budapest was secretary
Ralph X. Jacobs was assistant secre-
tary-
Parole Methods.
In section two. which dealt with prison
administration, the subtopie under con
sideration was a system whereby i'm
provements may be made in the parole
methods now in vogue or the system Of
unconditional liberation already existing
IN certain countries.
Some Of the more important questions
which arose at this mornings session
and which finally Will be put up to the
general commission this afternoon were
the proper authority to decide as 70 the
prisoners release; constitution Of the
boards of parole or the courts Of re-
lease; advisability Of surveillance and
the length Of time the parole shall ex-
tend.
At the section meeting on prison adj
ministration it was pointed out that the
distinction between probational release
before imprisonment and parole must
be remembered If good is TO be done
for those coming under Jurisdiction Of
the courts. Another point emphasized
was the harm that follows il the parole
depends upon the ministry or the
courts.
The application OF parole laws Il was
argued. should depend upon special Of
1icials, and they should be applied not
by favor, but by definite regulations.
Supervision Of paroled persons, II was
pointed out, should not be conducted by
the police, since this method leads for
mer prisoners 10 believe they remain
under suspicion. Prof. Simon Won der
"A. Of the University Of Croningen, Hol-
land. presided
As to Inebriates.
Under the main question, preventive
means, and with Sir Evelyn RuggIes-
Brise in the chair. the third section
spent today in a discussion Of whether
experiments Of last ten years made in
certain countries providing establish
ments for the detention Of inebriate
criminals, even recidiyists for two or
three years, has been successful.
The section, after a lengthy discus
sion, voted in favor OF such Institutions
but decided against completion Of peni-
Tertiary discipline at these places BY
special drug treatments The question
OF tightening the economic burden
which falls upon families, the former
heads OF which are Imprisoned was
taken up this afternoon
The section studying questions reIat-
ing to children and minors spent a great
deal Of time in deciding just what sys-
tens were best in the treatment and
confinement Of abnormal backward, and
feeble-minded children showing more
dangerous tendencies.
It was argued that such children are
not proper subjects for commitment TO
prisons, because their limited mental de-
velopments prevent them from being
capable Of fitting into educational
schemes OF reformatory work. DR..
Katharine Bement Davis presided.