The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-01-09
disposed Of In the recorders courts Is

disposed of IN the recorders courts is
undoubtedly large.
In 1865 attention was called to the in
number Of prisoners in the coun-
ty camps and the need Of regulation and
SUPERVISION of the camps. For thesix
years which have elapsed nee then, more
and more emphasis has been placed upon
this point in our reports. We have thought
that it was neither wise nor right TO con-
tinue SO haphazard q manner OF caring
for these prisoners. While DOUBTLESS wei!
cared for in many counties. still there are
too many opportunities for abuse and
many complaints have come TO the office
during these five years. some of when
were found to be true. Because there IS
no one responsihle head OF these men IT
has been repeatedly recommended by the
board that they be placed under the
states Prison Board or some other State
board.
Today a question Of political economy.
that of good roads. has brought TO the
front this question of the prisoners in the
counties. 1t Is to be hoped that the pol ii
cal economist and the nhilanthropist may
agree upon a solution which WI mark
out for North Carolina IAN intelligent and
comprehensive and constructive policy of
building public roads and also Ian in
telligent and COMPREHENSIVE and construc-
tive policy of caring for these men.
The international Prison Congress
| agreed. that. 1T is in the public interest
not merely to imnose q sentence. which
shall be representative and deterrent, but
djSo I u Hoh1 al
reformation of the criminal. This refor-
nation is most likely to be accomplished
by religious instruction. mental quicken
ing. physical DEVELOPMENT. and such en-
plOyment as will place the prisoner on 9
| good industrial basis.
We believe that the farm Is the idea
| place for our prisoners and next 10 that
| public works in the open air and for the
benefit Of all. North Carolina has been
one of the leaders in her open-air work
for convicts. Farm and read work fol
n ~ pauF a n n Gtfpntfn
of penologists all over the country, bu1
our drawback has been the need of a less
harsh system. OF more OF the moral ant
mental awakening of the men. These
harsher elements, these palpable 1eticien
cies have overshadowed the really wis.
and forward step taken when the meI
behind the barred jail window into tn
pure air and bright sunlight OF God!
world all around them.
We believe that North Carolina, If he.
leaders will it. can develop q system
which will include the higher Ideals.
Listen to what Colorado has done. Pres
ident E.. L. Harper, Of the Pr son Asso
the public roads speaking of Colorado
has attracted the attention of the world
and fully demonstrate that it is feasIbl
and highly beneficial so to handle men
It would have been difficult a few year
ago to believe that pelitentiary convict
could be placed in camps. in the VIII
and rugged sections of our State, in tn
l't H. IN w
safe getaways without a guard or
gun in camp and yet not have wholesal
escapes. But penitentiary prisoners..up
wards of three hundred in number, hav
so been handled in the last three or fou
years, under just such conditions with tn
most gratifying results-a long step |
the right direction"
State Road Force.
There are two thousand men who CO
be used to work the roads of our Stat
and vet leave the women. the Weake
men and such classes as those in clos
contact with prison life know should nc
be trusted with the larger liberty. Bu
this classification should be left to tn
superintendent of the States Prison, b
and the board Of directors should b
placed in charge Of this State Road Fore
This would be similar to the m~anagemer
in Virginia.
The only true and righteous point {
view is. can We lessen crime and NAH
these men better citizens VIII lie the Stat
has been in charge? If we can do this an
build roads, too. and we think that W
can. then both the political economist an
1.-THE philanthropist have found a commo
standpoint and can agree upon q solution