Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-21
HAWTHORNE AIDS
PRISON REF0RM
EVERYWHERE
Former Convict, Before New York
Governor, Advocates Reforma-
ton for Sake of Humanity.

Julian Hawthorne, whose arraigr-
ment OF conditions al the Federal
prison where he was an inmate for
several months. created g sensation.
is hard al work stirring up sentiment
10 bring about changes in penal ipst-
tutions everywhere. In a plea to the
Governor of New York ne points our
some needed reforms
First" said Mr.. Hawthorne. the
State must provide adequate apprp-
priations so that prisoners may he
properly housed and fed. In this
connection, too. il is most important
that the guards who exercise such
despotic power over their unfortu-
nate charges, should be of higher type
than those employed by the Govern-
meni in Atlanta. Men who know how
to treat the inmates humanely AMI
to minsle mercy with justice must
Lock Step Is an Evil.
so long as a prisoners spirit Is
not broken he does not become des-
perate man. The antiouated system
Institutions is certain 10 drive mcn
insane. The lock -step should be abol-.
isaed: the honor system should ne
adopted: the rule of silence should DE
abolished; above ALI inmates should
be reated as humans,
Prisoners who have families
should be paid for their la Dor. The
money should be RENTED al stated
intervals to those who have been de-
prived of the prisoners supper.
There is nothing which will turn the
model prisoner into desperate char
acter so quickly as the worry over the
Fate of the loved ones left behind 20
depend upon the charity OF an IN
feeling world,
The policy of limiting prison
er's privilege of writing letters is ex-
tremeiy cruel What advantage is
there to be gained in preventing the
first offender from communicating
with his relatives and friends. and in
receiving from them 'etters which viii
help him 10 be brave until his .ordea
is ended? In thi. connection I wouin
suggest that much good might be az
complished by permitting the pris-
oner's relatives and friends 10 visit
him more frequent"
Colorado Prison a Model.
Colorados honor system in Mr..
Hawthorne's opinion. is model hat
Warden Mover could well copy. He
related the incident of a man who had
served a long term in Sing Sing and
was looked upon as desperate Grim
nal. ,sao later was an inmate in the
Colorado prison and was there rated
AS model prisoner. This man has
served his term and is now a usefui
"A nd respected member OF society
When this prisoner was convicted
and sentenced in Colorado. Mr.. Hsn
thorne said. he naturalir assume d
that he was to go through snothsr
few years of he'll on eartn, such az
he had experienced at Sing Sing,
Upon his arrival at the prison ne was
surprised when guard sent him Off
alone to visit Inc warden house,
mile away.
Free to escape if he desired. ne
man went to the warden nome, and
there had cordial welcome. TIE
warden chatted with the new inmate
for few minutes. and finally handed
TO the convict s15 and instructed him
to visit town 100 miles away and
bring some horses to the prison.
You will go unguarded,' said the
warden. and spend Whatever money
is necessary for your expenses and
bring back 10 me what you 60 not
use"
Sing Sings desperate cr.min al
could not be- se that the warden
was not testing. but when convinced
that he was really in earnest he left
on the mission to which he had been
assigned He returned in due time
with the horses. He came out Of I'll"
prison a new man.