The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-10-13
PENIrENCE AND GOOD ROADS


tion which just adjourned at Chicago,
| proposes something as to prisoners
and prison la Or that is adapted to
the times and the needs of both the
prisoners and the public, and few if
any, objections can be raised to it.
They propose using the criminals
in the penitentiaries to build state
roads, establishing construction
camps where the men may be shell
tered and guarded, and having a sys-
| TEN of credits so liberal that it will
give substantial encouragement to
the prisoner to work faithfully, maxi
ing no effort to get away, and by that
means greatly shorten his sentence.
The basis they propose is to deduct
ten days from the length of his sem
tence for each~month' faithful SER
vice done, thus making it easier for
him to work his way out honorably
than by the old method of tunneling
out on the sly,
When legislators get to work ON
this question they should change the
present laws so the city and county
prisoners might be included in the
work whenever their sentences are Of
such length as to justify shipping
them to the construction camps.
Some of the things to be said in
favor of the plan are, the improved
condition of the, prisoners by being
kept busy at useful work in the opeh
air, the strong incentive to good be-
havior and industry, and the substan-
tial benefits given to the public as
against the tremendous waste when
held in idleness, or the injury to
manufacturing industries when they
are employed making something that
comes in competition with legitimate
business.
The original purpose in holding
men in state prisons was to give them
time to reflect on pas conduct and to
repent before being executed. 1t be-
gan in an effort to perform religious
duty which society owed to the con-
demned, that they might repent be-
fore death. Later, the idea Of re.
turning them again to liberty anu
usefulness when it was apparent that
true repentance had taken place, and
there was a desire to live righteous
life, developed the pardon board
whose duty it was to pass upon those
conditions and say who was entitled
10 pardon. This plan was expanded
by what Is known as the parole, CIV
ing doubtful ones their liberty dur
ing good behavior and Industrious
habits in the community, but subject
to recall il they fail in this matter.
The monotony of prison life is So
against the natural bent of humanity
that it does not help the victim back
to normal conditions, but rather, Is
apt to either break his spirit or en-
bitter him; while working in the open
air and in touch with nature, with
definite purpose in view, that of re-
gaining his liberty and being restored
to citizenship, he will have every aid
that 1t would be practical to give him.
He will be healthy and vigorous In
tead of debilitated by inertia, and he
will be filled with hope instead of
despair. His labor will not come into
competition with any industry what
ever. 1t will simply contribute that
much as lasting benefit to humanity
something that otherwise would
not be done and is not done, and in
consequence of which the public SUI
fers inconvenience, and legitimate in
dustry is hampered.
Thinking men are becoming very
much interested in national highways
and interstate roads, and In settling
the question as to how to divide the
burden between the federal govern
mnt and Inc states, the matter o.
having the states work their traonps
and prisoners in their respective ter
ritory, the federal government fur
nishing supervision and supplies,
seems practical and capable Of easy
adjustment.
What pity the tremendous ex-