Gilpin observer., 1913-10-30
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entered an element that was unthought of former
ly This element has to do with the reclama-
ton of the convicts the development their moral
senses and their ultimate return to the world as
iaw-abiding citizens rather than human derelicts
made unfit, through their prison life for any fur
ther attempt to lead an honest existence
The new idea of convict road labor is to- aid
both the state and the convict to give the state
the benefit OF the labor that can be utilized to
greater advantage in this way than in any other,
and to give the convict the benefit of the out
door lfe the freedom from the restraint of prison
walls and the different character of discipline that
makes 1t possible for him to regain his eelfrespect
In working out this idea. especially with
the view to the reformation of the convicts old
IDEAS of prison regulations necessarily have disap
peared and the whole system of discipline has been
revolutionized The honor system has taken the
place or armed guards in many instances, and the
road camp has replaced the stockades and bull
pens" OF the old days of convict road labor
Colorado was one Of the first states to adopt the
new ldea. New Jersey began experiments along
the same line short time later. President Wood
row Wilson, then governor of New Jersey is given
credit for the Inauguration Of the convict road
work in that state along the lines. Several
other states have fallen in line each working
possibly in different way but toward the same
general end
Illinois is the latest state to make begin.
ming In this work. force of nearly one hun
dred convicts was recently taken from the peni-
tentiary at Joliet and placed at work on the
roads. Armed guards were dispensed with and
the men were placed upon their honor The
convicts pledged themselves to make no effort
to escape and the authorities are relying upon
their keeping this promise.
In this tendency soon developed on the
part of the people to overdo the idea OF giving
the convicts greater liberty and pleasure. A
plan to give the convicts an automobile ride
and theater party In nearby city was pro-
posed to the authorities but Governor Dunno
vetoed this program and let 1t be understood that
while 1t Is planned to give the convicts greater
freedom than they have been accustomed to
within the prison walls and to aid them in get
ting better view of life. the fact that they
nave been sentenced to pay penalty for in
traction of the states laws must not be forgot
ten and the must be made to realize that
punishment awaits such violations of the stat
utes.
The working of convicts upon the roads in
Colorado was made possible only few years
ago by act OF the Legislature. The system has
been generally adopted throughout the state
during the past two three years. the various
counties cooperating with the state in the i'm
provement of the highways The result is seen
In many miles OF splendid roads built by the
convicts
With the placing of the convicts on the roads
IN Colorado All Of the convicts were not
turned loose from the penitentiary without
guards, but a certain percentage OF the prison.
ers. including those having the best prison rec
ords. were taken from the pententiary nrst as
An experiment As the success of the expert
ment seemed evident to the authorities the mum,
Der OF honor" men Increased and mora
than 30 per cent OF the convicts were finally
removed from the prison and placed in the road
camps.
Warden lyman and other prison authorities do
clare the experiment. has been even more sue
cessful than they anticipated.
During the last three years have had moro
than one thousand individual prisoners in the
convict camps says the warden. These men,