Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-12
Sic Probation System
4 2(S, IN 5he DiStrfCt3


The new probationer is then conducted
10 the probation offices, where he is re-
quired to give complete history Of his
life to the minutest details, furnished
with copy OF the court order placing
him on parole and Instructed in the pro-
baton rules. After the first several days.
or long enough for him to adjust himself
for his weekly or bi-weekly visits and he
is regularly enrolled on the list Of pro-
bationers. The average probation period
since the first of the year has been
ance OF parole on the part OF a pris-
oner usually takes with it the oath to
abstain from the use of intoxicantS or
habit-forming drugs for stated in
terval.
"Are all Of your probationers addicted
to the use OF intoxicants?" Mr.. Massie
was asked
mo: not ALL was the reply. "Glance
at the statistics showing how mitch crime
can be traced primarily to tho use Of hq-
uor, and you'll see why the oath is de-
manded Whisky has been the cause OF
four-fffths OF my probationary downfall.
The policy of the probation officers is
to attract as little attention as possible
to their charges. The less the public
are who can recognize them or recall the
incidents Of their downfall, and the least
said OF them or their efforts to regain the
position they once held in society. they
say, the better. This idea Of keeping Sc
cret everything in the lives OF probation
ers except that which is a credit to them
is similar to the recently announced at
titude Of the Department OF Justice with
respect to paroled individuals from led
era1 prisons.
1.-The publication of a probationer's rec
ord-his misdeeds, his efforts to bury the
past and strive to lead an upright. hon.
est life, holding him up to the community
stroys the very purpose Of the probation
Law, in my opinion" said Miss Foster.
1.-THE basis OF q successful probation sys-
tenn lies in how much confidence. how
much trust the probationer places n the
protect the probationer from the very
things that cut into his flesh like a knife,
that h1lTniliate and morttfy him. the con-
fidence Is destroyed and the parole be-
comes a mere matter Of Official surveil-
lance
AS a result Of this announced policy,
the probation officers were daSinclined to
discuss their experiences with any one Of
however. by consuming to relate several
isolated instances where publicity would
cause no heart bulnings.
4 ~
shortly fter tho system got started
Judge Nullowny sent US an old soldier
from Maryland whom he had placed on a
years parole" said Mr.. Massie. HE was
seventy-four years old-the Methuselah OF
our company-and a veteran Of the civil
war. The old fellow came to the District
on business relating to his pension. Five
days after his arrival the police arrested
him for passing a worthless check.
Ibid you ever get your system filled
with this Washington whisky? was the
first question he asked me.
"Tve never had that experience, re-
piled.
Get SIS, go out and lick It UP in one
evening-you will find out something
about yourself you never knew before. l
did not and Amt sase yet
81 told him 1 had seen similar mental
conditions before. A moment later he
Continued confidentially.
":You can be real kind by sending me
back to Baltimore. I'll send you the
money to square up that check In few
DAYS. The whisky's decent over there.
fellow don't turn into tiger after he
takes four drinks. I want one-a drink
filled up, badly.
"I reminded him that he had Just taken