The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1913-08-14
COMMISSION ON
PRISON REFORM
The Commission Of New York, Appointed
by Gov. SuIzer, is Composed Of Mem
bers Who Have Heretofore Taken
Keen Interest in Prisoners---Pr
Reform Congress to be held in Oc-
tOber.

The appointment of the commission was
requested by Superintendent of Prisons
John B. Riley in letter to the governor
in which he says:
During the brief period since my appoint
ment as superintendent of prisons l have
become satisfied that there are two distinct
branches of the prison problem in which
advancement and improvement should be
made: First, the raising of prison man
agement, as it stands, to the highest pos
sible standard of efficiency and economy;
second, the formulation of a complete sys-
tenn for the control and reformation of
prisoners---a system which shall be more
in accordance than our present one with
modern ideas of justice and modern meth
DDS of treating criminals, so as to attain
the most beneficial results for them and at
the same time conserve the interests of the
state.
am forcibly impressed with the view
that there is ample room for reform and
improvement, involving reorganization of
the prison system of the state, yet feel it
is my first duty to eliminate ineficiency
and mismanagement,a and bring the depart
ment, under the law and with the means at
my command, up to the standards which
you and both wish to see, and the people
of the state have Alright to expect. | feel that
this work will absorb at present all mytime
and ehergy and that comprehensive plan
should be worked out by commission
composed of men who have given previous
thought and study to this most important
and difficult problem, to the end that such
commission shall outline plan for prison
management which will be more consistent,
equitable, economical and intelligent than
the present one is or can be made, even
when conducted with the strictest honesty
and greatest efficiency.
The commission is to Examine and in
vestigate the management and affairs of the
several state prisons and reformatories, the
departments thereof, the prison industries,
the construction and plan for adequate
prison facilities, the employment of in
mate labor and all subjects relating to the
proper maintenance and control of the
state of New York." and has power "to
subpoena witnesses, examine them under
oath and obtain all papers and other docu-
ments necessary to a thorough understand
ing of the investigation.
The commission met at Albany on the
25th ult. and organized By electing Thom-
as Mott Osborne, chairman; George W..
Kirchwey, vice chairman, and E. Stagg
Within, secretary.
Mr.. Osborne spoke concerning the need
of new prison system, saying that the
present one breeds new criminals, and sug-
costing as subjects for consideration county
jails, period of detention and system of la
Dor and of regaining liberty. He expects
to go abroad shortly to study the prison
systems of England, France, Germany,
Hungary and Switzerland. A prison re-
form congress will, If present plans are car
ried out, be held early in October.
The need to which the superintendent
has called attention is so urgent; the find
ing of remedy for present unsatisfactory
conditions so vital, not alone to those in
bonds, but to the people as whole as
we'll; the times, owing to an aroused pub
lie sentiment, SO propitious, and the scope
of the commission duties so broad and so
wisely defined, that the appointment of
the commission may well mark the begin
ming of new era il penelogical matters
in this state---an era, in view of the per-
sonnel of the commission, that may put
this state in the van of humanitarian
progress. May that day come quickly
Star of Hope.