Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-01-09
DECKER BOY FAILED
TO APPRECIATE PROBATION,
Escaped by knotted BedcIothing from
Home Where He Was Placed.

Carl Decker, the Mystic boy, who
was sentenced to year in Jail in the
criminal superior court here last
Thursday, for burglary of boat, and
then placed on probation under sus-
pension OF sentence of a year in Jail,
has violated his parole. He will be
presented before the court again this
week. Decker was taken in hand by
County Probation officer Richard w
Mansfield of New London and Mr.
Mansfield found a home for him at
the farm of 2. e. Lewis in Waterford.
Mr.. Lewis provided work for the boy
and promised him good home.
Country life evidently did not ap-
peal to. Carl, however, for he was
missing from the Lewis place Sunday
Mrs. Lewis. going to the boys room
found his bedding Joined together by
knots into a rope Apparently he
planned to make use of the improvised
rope in getting out of the house.
Decker is about Is. He is not con-
sidered over bright. He did not ap-
pear to be of criminal instinct and he
was placed on probation to be given
the chance which the court always
wants to give a boy before placing
him in the criminal class, but he has
proved that probation in his case did
not pay.
This is one of the few cases in
which the probation system has not
proven eff1cacious. Talking of the
system as tried in this county Proba-
ton Officer Mansfield said that it
has worked well in the majority of
cases.
Since January 1, 1911. Mr. Mansfield
has had twelve cases entrusted to him,
boys and men presented in the superior
court in this county, sentenced and
then placed on probation. But two,
one of which is this Decker case, have
resulted SO as to make the probation
system a failure,
A young man from Lyme was
placed on probation and forbidden to
return to Lyme, where he was not
over popular with the natives. He
committed no crime to cause the lift
ing Of the probation, but he persisted
in going to Lyme He was arrested
again, his probation revoked and he is
now in jail.
There was one other case in which
the probatiOner a man, did not ex-
actly adhere to the conditions of the
probation. He has q wife and five
children, but he was given warning.
If his probation had been revoked it
would have meant sending him to
jail and placing his wife and children
upon the town for support. He is now
behaving.
or the twelve cases, nine have been
these Of boys under 10 years. The
other three cases were those of men
aged 20, 26. and 80, respectively. The
charges have for the most part been
theft and not of a serious character.
In going on probation the probation
er has to promise to abstain totally,
work steadily and otherwise deport
himself in such a manner as to make
him a desirable citizen. Reports at
stated intervals are required, and Mr..
Mansfield receives reports of this kind
right along either i'll person or by let
ter from the probationers. One of his
probationers Is now employed on din
ing cars running between Washington
and New York, and he reports by let
ter regularly of his work and his con-
duct in his leisure time.
One boy, who was ON probation, has
gone to work in Hartford, and the
Hartford probation officer has assumed
the case. Two cases now under Mr..
Mansheld's care, came to him from
Middlesex county.
A number Of boys have doubtless
been rescued and started right through
the probation system. Mr. Mansfield
is well suited to the office and his
administration of it is praised by the
court officials.