New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-18

employment for the men in our charge
Conditions In this respect have chansed
greatly In the last few years.
Association vouehes for Men.
"Refore a man is paroled he has to have
not only the prospect of work but some
friend must undertake the responsibility
Of guaranteeing his good behavior Inc
Prison Association has stood sponsor III
this way for about 200 men who had no
one 10 vouch for them. These were for the
most mart older men, who were Of that type
which society instinctively distrusts, the
kind who look like regular second story
men. out Of the 200 we tried only eleven
had 10 be returned because they violated
their parole. As a general rule nave
found the state prison men more careful W
keep their parole than the boys ana young
men from the reforma tories are. They are
older and have learned their lesson ana
don't want TO take any chances on being
sent back
In talking Of the present opposition 10
the extension of the probation system ana
suspended sentences, Mr.. Lewis said: Inc
fundamental purpose in dealing with crime
is 70 protect society. If you can protect
society by giving a fellow his lesson with
out imprisonment 50 much the better. A
great many first offenders come to court
and often they are in a repentant frame OF
mind. Formerly the Judge had only the
alternative of discharsinS the man alto
gether or putting him in prison. There was
no middle course left to his discretion
You can see that the simple discharge or
a prisoner by a sympathetic judge was not
always a good thing Now II is possible To
put any man on probation who has not
been previously convicted OF a felony.
THE records In the Court of General SEES
s!ons and the police records are inadequate
and the judge does not always have before
him a record OF the prisoners previous con-
victon. There IS no central bureau in the
city where such records are kept a lot
OF difficulty in deciding these cases would
be obviated If We had such a bureau. As
IL is, all sorts of chaps come up in Cen
eral Sessions, and Judge has to have a
wide range Of power. II we tied the judges
down and gave them no chance 10 put men
on probation society would inevitably suf-
fer.
Financial Side Of Parole.
THAT IS apparent even from a purely
financial point OF view. 1t Is cheaper TO let
man earn his own living than to pay for
his keep In a prison. On the other hand.
We must not elect or appoint weak or too
sentimental judges or those who will be
swayed by improper impulses, because n
We do probation will be misused ami
abused
nhofg hn, IL
tons surrounded by imaginary walls Some
persons can't get their imagination that
far. and begin In think there are no walls
We had an interesting case once. man
who had been sentenced TO Sing Sing for
life. lio was the first man 20 10 paroed
under tho new law. which gives 'lifer' Il
chance for parole after he has served TWEEN
ty years. ~ course. there IS certain
amount Of danger I'm that. ms the life-t term
prisoner has little 10 lose II he does violate
his parole. This man promptly got on r
tear: IN fact, he got on two or three, and
seemed especially anxious TO murder tho
custody again"
A. q. Benedict, ono 81 the parole agents,
tells the story OF an Italian who was on
parole. Tho man VAS in poor health and
was most anxious 10 return to his home I'm
Italy. He was thoroughly detected when
told no could not 60. as his absolute re-
lease had rot come. The next time he
camo the absolute" had arrived, and Mr.
Benedict said: Your discharge has come"
The man. whose knowledge OF English was
slight did not understand. Your absolute
release" explained Mr.. Benedict. Stll tho
light OF comprehension did not dawn on the
mans face. Finally. ia his search for syno-
nymes. Mr. Benedict tried the word lib
at once. and the last Mr. Benedict saw OF
him his coat tails were flying Hayward.
THE Treatment OF the Offender" which
is the sixty-seventh annual report OF the
Prison Association. has just been issued.
and is a handsomely illustrated volume Of
more than two hundred pages. Not only
does II tell the work OF the association and
It's needs. but contains great deal OF In
formation about the treatment OF GRIM
inals. bcggars and mental detectives
abroad. on the cover OF the book is
stamped a small design Of the scales OF
Justice.
You See" said Mr.. Lewis. the printer
was very accurate and got them level. but
II he had made mistake and tipped them
n bit trust he would have made the deyla-
ton In favor OF the prisoner"