The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-01-17

wrought through an appreciation Of
the human welfare phase Of the prob.
lem, makes our prison system stand
out as an institution of the past. un-
changed by either It's tragedies or by
a civilization that has laid hold on
every other human agency.
Our whole syFi"n H. rlnin trlv-
esty on human Intelligence 1t is as
much Of an outrage to sentence an
babitual criminal to three years In the
penitentiary as It would be to consign
a hopeless lunatic to an asylum for
three years. II is as much a crime
against society to release from prison
gates a known criminal as II woulI
be- to turn loose q maniac. At the ex-
| piration Of prisoners term, some
constituted authority should pass on
the propriety aud safety Of turning
him loose. No lesson will be more
helpful to him than self.restraint, AMI
liberty should be given only when Il 10
earned and deserved. But the hope.
less criminal is In the minority in our
prison.
/
The problem of prison reform in.
wolves considerations quite apart from
erecting building, a railroad switch,
new ce.,s, a dining hall, a power plant,
a sewerage system and higher enclos.
ing wall. The underlying desire is
betterment Of the race, the reform
| OF as many prisoners az possible, aid
to their families, earned by the men
confined, and q contribution to the
next generation Of fewer human ship.
wrecks. The mention of the details
OF physical equipment is made neces.
sary because objection has within
few days been made to the legislature
against the prison reform plan. one
OF the chief reasons being past tx.
penditure of vast sums Of money for
physical improvements in furtherance
of the policy Of continuing the old
methods and the old institution. | re-.
gret the necessity of dissenting from
the view Of my distinguished and able
predecessor, and yet the question Is
so vital that ! can not In conscience
withhold expressions of firm convic.
tions ON the subject over 600 pris.
oners in the penitentiary are idle.
Their time is doubtless spent In re-
f!ection over their own disgrace and
the plight OF their families back home.
The present method offers no appar-
ent relief from this unspeakable con.
dit!on. If employment can he afforded
fo" the physical, mental and moral
benefit of these prisoners in such man
ner as will yield reimbursement to the
state for their keep, and an accruins
profit to be sent to families depriv.
ed of their support, then this human.
itarian consideration must outweigh
every thought Of continuing the pres
ent abominable system simply be.
cause a considerable amount of money
has been spent at the old prison.
would much prefer the task of defend.
ing the new project to that Of attempt.
ing 70 justify the enormous disburse-
ments of money in maintaining the
old one. ! can not subscribe to the
view expressed that In providing by
law for Imprisonment Of offenders
the primary purpose is punishment" b"
The spirit Of the provision seems to
suggest that an example be made Of
the offender by banishment, which In
itself is not insevere, and the agen-
cy Of the state should then be directed
to the reformation Of the prisoner II It
develops there is a moral base to build
on. Otherwise he Is an habitual GRIM
inal, and his liberty Is distinct men,
ace to society.
My recommendation would be that
the legislature ascertain whether suffi.
cient land Is now owned by the state
for the purpose OF supplying adeauate
food products for the several institi-
tions. II not. the expense of buying
more land will be abundantly justified
by the results. More live stock should
be kept on these farms, for the double
purpose OF adding to the food supply
and increasing the fertility of the soil.
On the state farm we should begin at
once the erection Of at least one build
ing unit for the shelter of prisoners
and the building operation should con-
time under such scope as the fiscal
condition of the state justifies. The
extensive operations of the state de-
partments of agriculture call for
much manual labor. The highways
can be worked by convicts by simple
change in the laws, and legislative re-
vision will also make possible the enl-
ployment of prisoners on state build.
ings. These operations added to the
work In the stone quarries will doubt.
less call for enough men to cover the
honor list because the privilege of
working out of doors should be earned
by good behavior. Those who can not
in measurable safety be occupied in
the methods described must Of neccs.
sity be confined. They can be retain
ed to carry on the manufacturing
work in the prison, where clothing
and other necessities are being made
for the inmates of the state instiru.
tions. Our better instincts resist the
thought OF the state making any mon.
ey Off the labor Of prisoners. During
good behavior they should be givea
| credit for a DAYS labor In such sum