The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-03-26

Where he is employed the prejudice
said to exist against ex-prisoners is
very much popular error. l have
observed that most business men, for
purely selfish reasons, if for none
higher, recognize and are willing to-
pay for ability, nor are they given to
looking for or licking flaws in mans
past record.
So far have spoken only of the
three characteristics | regard as in
dispensable to the present and future
of the man going observation-disclosures
emancipation from the past, and pur-
pose. 1t is our duty as missionaries
in the field of prison philanth. ophy
to devote our uttermost efforts 10 Sc
cure them TO him, But character
traits great and invaluable as they
are and primarily of first Importance
in the work we have assumed. Should
be supplemented in material way.
No ex-prisoner should be turned loose
into society unproyided with sufficient
funds to maintain him suitably-not
In luxury-if you please, but comfort
ably, for at least thirty days And to
be explicit and not misunderstood as
meaning to convert penal institu-
lions into finishing schools turning
out embryonic millionaires at the ex-
/ pense of the Taxpayers will say
that no sum less than $4,000 is suf-
ficient for such purpose. And you.
dear reader. with your practical ex-
perience, will acknowledge that this
sum is not an extravagant estimate.
If there is one thing the ex-prisoner
should he spared during the period
Immediately following release 1t is a
financial stringency. | appreciate, as
do we all, the noble efforts being
made by Mrs. Booth, the Central How
| ard Association, and kindred organ
izations, and am fully aware of the
them every day. And while l am
/ grateful to them, and those who so
literally support and second them, I
cannot help feeling chagrined at the
| thought that the great common
wealths of this country should leave
a duty SO palpably belonging to them
to be discharged by philanthroplc as
sociations. believe nothing is pro-
/ ductive Of greater practical good than
to secure prisoners compensation
law in each state where one Is not
in operation at present. And, furth-
ermore, am persuaded that any such
general law which received the in
dorsement of the public would meet
with sufficient popular approval to
assure it's legislative passage in any
state where it is introduced There
are those, have been made aware,
who are skeptical as to the policy of
providing ex-prisoners with more
money than is sufficient to meet i'm
mediate requirements. They argue
that the pressure Of necessity will
have stimulating effect that the
man determined to lead an honest life
( will, driven by it, go to work at
once. But questioned the logic of
this reasoning. For | cannot con
ceiye of AFFECT poverty under such
circumstances as other than demon
alizing in its moral effects. And |
am sure every man works more
cheerfully-more contentedlv and
more effectively with ten or a
twenty dollar bill in his pocket than
when ne feels himself to be absolute
ly insolyent
And now permit me to briefly sug-
gest what | regard as an important
Indispensable, and in time to be, uni
versally adopted prison innovation,
directly affecting the man going out
and which can be productive of only
beneficial results
believe we do the man going out
an injury when we permit the tran
sit from prison regime to freedom to
be marked simply by the opening and
shutting of gate. 1t seems to me
this could be largely obviated if what
might be termed transit squad
was organized and to which all first
offenders would be advanced two
weeks prior to discharge. Here the
discipline should be relaxed and the
daily experiences Of the men brought
into close touch with those of the
outside world. We recognize the
utility of such step already-for We
all know how prevalent the custom is
of giving near discharge men out
side work.
In connection with the transit squad
would advocate complete seggrega
ton from the rest OF the prison
providing dormitory ward properly
furnished. and connected with its
own dining room, where 6 specia
dietary should be served I should
advocate even going further than this
and permit the wearing of the citi
zen's clothing furnished by the state
In this direction the ice has allead,
been broken, for ii is general Gus
tom to allow prisoners to draw theil
outgoing shoes and wear them sew
eral weeks before being discharged
During this period | believe ii woulc
be wise to permit the men TO purchase
such personal effects as they viii
need later additions to their ward
robe and toilet artcles-and in select
ing them | should be in favor of TAX