Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-10-30
CEIYIICIS II WUaHOW OlLA3Z10 HZqHDgmS

CC19I1CHS II WzaEW C2Ll3z20 HzqHWzM
entered an element that was unthought of former
~. This element has to do with the reclama-
ton of the conYicts the development of their moral
senses and their ultimate return to the world
lawabidng citizens, rather than human derelicts
made unfit, through their prison life, for any fur
Their attempt to lead 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 life the freedom from the restraint of prison
walls and the different character of discipline that
makes it possible for him to regain his selfrespect
In working out this idea, especially with
the view to the reformation of the convicts, old
ideas of prison regulations necessarily have dsap-
peared and the whole system of discipline has been
revolutionized. The honor system has taken the
place Of 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 of the first states to adopt the
new idea. 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 new 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. A force of nearly one hun
dred conyiCts recently taken from the peni-
Tertiary 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 case a tendency developed on the
part Of the people to overdo the idea of giving
the conyicts 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 it be understood that
While it 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 a better view of life. the fact that they
nave been sentenced to pay penalty for in
fraction of the states laws must not be forgot
ten and the men must be made to realize that
punishment awaits such violations of the stat
utes.
The working of conyicts upon the roads in
Colorado made possible only few wears
ago by act of the legislature. The system has
been generally adopted throughout the state
during the past two or 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.
The honor system adopted simultaneously
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 certain percentage of the prison
eTs, including those having the best prison
Ords, taken from the penitentiary first as
an experiment. As the success of the expert
ment seemed evident to the authorities, the num-
Der of honor" men was increased and more
than so per cent. of the convicts finally
removed from the prison and placed in the road
camps.
Warden lyman and other prison authorities de-
clare the experiment has been. even more sue
cessful than they anticipated.
During the last three years we have had more
than thousand individual prisoners in the
convict camps, says the warden These men,