New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-18
HOW THE PAROLE WORKS
Secretary of Prison Association
Explains Results Of System.
POINT OF CONTACT SOUGHT
In Case of One Young Man 1t Is
a Puppy, Which Is Admired
on Report Night.

In the rooms Of the Prison Association
In East 18th street there are a very sooo
piano and a pianola (both gifts' winch
make the Thursday evening business OF
receiving reports from the men out Oh
nrison on parole seem moro like scene
in settlement club than 1t does IKE any
preconceived notion the visitor may nave
had
While one Young man, with an intelligent
face and general air OF wellbeing' winch
would never suggest the year and halt
he has tust spent in prison, was MAKING
his report to the parole agent. diminutiNe
white buddy he had brought with him was
solemnly observing his surroundings. Inc
business of the report over the pupp! pe-
came the centre of an admiring group VINO
watched him trying In vain to support
large pink ribbon and a new fedSed dignity
on somewhat wabbly legs. After the be-
wildered object Of so much attention mad
been removed by his owner, the general
secretary of the association. Orlando r.
Lewis, told something about that owner $
history.
Only twenty-one years old, he has al
ready served year and half In prison
and has Just been released on parole that
being his first visit to report.
During his term In prison" said Mr.
Lewis. 1.-THE boy made as good record
as II Is possible for prisoner 10 make
He is a bright, capable fellow. has secured
a good job, and ought not 10 slip back.
In our work with the men and boys on
parole We always have TO look for the
n
In this case, YOU see. the puppy Is the
point of contact The boy Is Interested In
him and so are we. Our methods In l9lZ
are quite different from those In vogue
when Jacob Riis was a boy
You remember the story how ne came
TO New York friendless. penniless AMI
alone. except for a small dog, who was MS
friend and companion. Then he sought
shelter over night at the police station, ana
tie dog, not being allowed to enter. sat on
the stem outside and waited for him all
night. till the boy came out in the morning.
lust In time 10 see his pet kicked 10 death
by policeman.
Must Have Promise Of Work.
Before a man Is allowed 70 90 out or
parole he has TO get definite promise or
work. About the time the men want 10
come out there is a regular Marathon or
letter writing applications for jobs just
tben q Young negro finished his report 10
the superntendent. and Mr.. Lewis asked
him n few questions. How many letters
did you have to write before YOU got \
promise of work.?
.Ah don't know, sab; must ave been
about fifty"
How often did you write them?'
"Ah reckon all must ave written one
pretty near every other night
Where did you find JOB!
With an anita maker
Subsequent questioning brought about the
discovery that awning maker WAS what
had been aimed at
"Well." said Mr.. Lewis, chow long Old
YOU stay with him?"
"Ah didn't stay with him at all san
cause when All went down to see nm ne
said: 'Ah'm sorry, my boy. but An AIN
got no work for you, and An couldn't give
II TO YOU If An had. cause you're coiored'
"rbat" commented Mr.. Lewis, rs JUST
tb. kind of pseudo-charity that prompts d
man 10 give a beggar a dime regardless OF
what the beggar really needs or OF "ha'
he will do with the dime. Some men nave
that false kind Of sympathy. They VIII
rromise work to a man in prison, 80 that he
NAV come out. and when he gets out they
turn him adrift. Fortunately. this partcu-
lar man did get work the very next DAY.
The negro departed, putting on his cap
r,bich bore a button with the inscription
I'm as fine as fiddle
"As a rule" MIR. Lewis went on TO say
"v,. hay. very little difficulty In obtaining