The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1911-02-27
PAROLE
SYSTEM IS GOOD
Through Its Humanitarian
Influence Many Reclaim
ed to Citizenship.
BY JONATHAN WINFIELD.

| cr means Oh prison reform Is the leu
eral parole system recently institut-
ed by the department of Justice.
Through it's humanitarian influence
more prisoners have been reclaimed to
citizenship than has been thought pos
who have had experience in matters
of this kind.
The federal parole system was con-
structed upon the experience of the
various states of the union which
have similar methods of treatment for
prisoners. 1t is under the direct sup
ervision of Attorney General Wicker
sham and Robert V. La Dow super
intendent of federal prisons.
The law governing the application
of parole TO prisoners treats all alike
whether the convicts have been men
of prominence or ordinary jailbirds.
II applies TO every prisoner held in
federal prison. convicted of an offense
against the United States sentenced
TO serve term of one year or more
and who has served one-third of the
term for which he was sentenced.
The board is composed of the sup
erintendent of federal prisons. and the
warden and physician of each United
States penitentiary. The procedure
of the board is subject to the approx
al of the attorney general 1t meets
at the various federal penitentiaries
in January. May and September of
each year.
Making Applications.
Applications for parole are made by
the prisoners in writing on blanks
provided by the board. In cases
where the applicant cannot read or
write. the contents of the applica-
ton are read and explained to him
before his mark is affixed. No appli-
cation, however g, receives consdera
ton unless the prison records show
that the applicant has been continu-
ously in the first or highest grade for
at least six months Immediately pre-
ceding the date of the application. In
case of short term prisoners. who may
be eligible for parole before the eX-
piration OF six months Imprisonment.
they must have been continuously in
the first or highest grade from the
date of their admission to the prison
An application which has once been
denied by the board of parole is not
considered again unless new evidence
Is obtained. which makes it advisable
to do so. Under the procedure of the
board, attorneys are debarred from ap-
pearing for a person desiring parole.
Prisoners are not released on par
ole until satisfactory evidence is fur
nished that the prisoner. will engage
in some respectable business for him
SELF or that arrangements have been
made for the reputable and steady
employment of the prisoner. or until
some person agrees to act as his first
friend or adviser, and further agrees
to employ the prisoner or use his ef-
forts to secure suitable employment
, for him. Prisoners cannot be parol-
; ed who have indictments pending
, of the United States. nor be granted
parole if wanted in any state or terri
tory for violation of parole.
The duties of first friend to the
, paroled convict are determined by the
board. He must agree to employ or
obtain employment for the prisoner.
, and promise to report the unnecessary
absence from work, intemperance. bad
, association, or other violations of any
condition of the parole that the pris.
, oner might make.
, When the prisoner is paroled he ia
furnished with certificate. issued
under seal by the president of the
board of parole. and approved by the
, attorney general
, Cannot Leave State.
When released. the prisoner re-
, ports to his first friend" or adviser
4 He cannot go out of the state where
he is employed. except upon written
Z. permission granted by the president
: of the board of parole. If he does. he
r is subject to arrest. While under pro-
baton. the prisoner. takes a written
, report to the warden of the peniten
( tiary from which he was released ev
Y cry month. II must show his general
1 conduct and associations for the
, month. name his employer. occupation
< number Of days employed. number OF
$ days not employed and the reasons
. therefore, amount of money earned
4 amount received and the amount ex
I pended. AS the board of parole has a
: warm and friendly interest in the vel
fare Of paroled prisoners. one object
of these reports is TO enable il to
. know in what manner it can best
= promote their welfare
Willful failure on the part of the
y paroled prisoner to reply promptly tc
r letters of inquiry from the presiden,
!, of the board may be sufficient reason
for revoking the parole.
= Paroles are not granted except upor
, the understanding that the prisoner
agrees that he will not. during the
= term Of parole, frequent saloons oil
other places where intoxicating liz
uors or beverages are sold, that HI
will not associate with persons of baC
g reputation. that he will in all respect.
conduct himself honorably. and worl
s diligently for himself and employer
l. and that he will live without violatins
q the laws.
From the time that the prisoner i.
e released from the penitentiary tho
l. board of parole aids him in every wa,
l to make good" The fact that he j.
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