Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-12-28
Prison Reform

Prison RetOrm y
Within the last decade a great change has taken
place in the treatment of prisoners confined in the
state penitentiaries. In fact, until within a few years
ago, the prisons in this country were not far removed
from the barbarous prisons of medieval times.
When the iron doors OF the prison had changed upon
the convict, he had utterly left all hope behind.
There was not much chance for him to reform and
become a better man.
The old method of treating prisoners sayored
more Of revenge and retribution than reform. The
prisons were unsanitary and unhealthful. The disci-
plne was unnecessarily rigorous and severe. Stripes
and the lock step were in universal use. The most
cruel and degrading forms Of corporal punishment
were melted outto$the convict who failed to obey the
rules. The result OF this system was that men who
came to the prison strong and sound in body were
turned out physical wrecks, utterly incapaciated to
earn an honest living. Not only were they broken in
health, but also in spirit. Their minds were scared
by the foul concentrations and associations OF the
prisons. Penitentiaries were veritable schools for
crime. .a. .--s
Within the last decade there has been a great
change in the method of dealing with the unfortun.
ates whom society has found it necessary to segre.
gate for it's own protection. Investigations by soci.
ologists and prison reforners have conclusively dem.
onstrated the folly and ~barbarity of past methods.
The idea of retribution and revenge has given way
u IL pOlCy il Iuu lCollAACh
has taken the place OF the grueling discipline of old.
1t has been found that almost every convict has a
spark of honor and manhood in him that can be
famed into a fame by the proper appeal.
The countries of Europe have been far in advance
of this country in the treatment Of criminals. One
Of the principal reasons why prison reform has
grown slowly here has been the damnable contract
system that has been in vogue in so many state
prisons. Under this system the labor Of the prison.
ers is contracted out to some private manufacturer
usually a maker of shirts or overalls. A number
Of states still retain the contract system-especially
the southern states. The contractor pays the state,
on an average, fifty cents per day for each convict.
The result is that the prisoner is turned over to me
tender mercies Of the rapacious sweater, whose only
motive and desire is to get as much work out OF him
as possible. Investigations in the prisons of New
York, and especially in the prison at Columbus,
Ohio, revealed the terrible abuses of this system.
II a man was not a confirmed criminal before he
was sent there, he was sure to be when he was re.
leased.
One of the first. states to undertake prison reform
on a large and radical scale was the state OF Oregon.
Owing to the influence and work of Governor West.
the honor system was established, under which the
prisoner was placed on his honor and pledged himself
not to escape. Instead of combining all convicts with
in the walls Of the penitentiary, under the survei-
lance of armed guards, hundreds of them were sent
out into the country to build good roads. And in
stead Of working them like slaves without any COM
p~ensati0n, they were given a fair wage, the amount
Of which depended upon the amount of work done.
The success of the system was immediate and very
gratifying to Governor West and those responsible
for its Inauguration. "A few convicts tried to escape,
but in most instances were captured. Governor
West reports that the percentage of escapes decreas-
ed, instead of increased. @t
The next state to adopt the honor system was
Colorado, and it met with the same success there.
Now all of the western states have adopted this
plan of dealing with convicts and in no state is
there an intention or desire manifested to return
to the old method. Even the states which have the
contract, system have been compelled by the pressure
of public opinion to pass laws to safeguard the health
Of prisoners and protect them from cruelty and abuse.
Our. last legislature passed a law which provides
for the honor system and increased compensation Tor
convicts in our penitentiary. Prior to the enactment
Of that law. whatever was done in the direction OF
prison reform was largely the policy of administra.
ton Of the warden. The success of the honor system
is almost entirely dependent upon the character and
personality Of the warden. Unless he Is a man who
can he severe and exacting, and at the same time
kind and just, the system will prove a failure. The
outbreaks among the %convicts in a number OF peni.
%tentiaries we're due to lax administration. Prison
reform does not mean license or the absence OF dis
cipline. It means that the convict is treated as a
man and not as a brute; 1t means that he is given
the chance to reform il he really wants to become a
useful member Of society. No man can be expected
TO harbor any other feelings than hatred and rancor
III his heart who is dressed like a zebra or a tiger.
His garb is o constant reminder Of his degradation.
The lock step is another relic Of barbarism. Prison
reform has abolished the lock step, and also stripes,
except for the incorrigible prisoners who refuse TO
obey the rules.
The snethod 81 handling men IN 1.-THE North Dakota