The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-04-23
COURTESY COUNTS
WITHIN THE WALLS
An Inmate Gives his Observa-
tons of Conditions Existing in
Different Penal Institutions
Congeniality Essential.
By Sherlock

By Sherlock
This subject, when analysed, like
variable winds of the sea, may drive
one in any direction and land him
anywhere. Hoping to obtain some
sense of direction and distance, and
establish few guide posts by which
to find my way, l have on several
different holidays addressed differ
ent inmates, and officers at other
times, asking them for their views
of the subject, and for them to point
out instances in which they had OBJ
served abuses of courtesy in prison
management. This information
looked as being helpful in the pre-
paration of my paper. But the an
swers received, while many of them
were exceedingly helpful and sug-
gestive, were like the stars of the
heavens, not only in that they differ
ed from one another, but in that
they all pointed in different direc-
tons and left me cropping in the
mazes of the milky way. No two of
these answers were even suggestive
of the same line of discussion. While
some that were Quizzed only ex-
pressed helpless regret that they
had nothing to contribute towards
the solving of this problem, to my
mind momentus one.
While l am an inmate, in this in
stitution, and speaking of the abuses
of courtesy in penal administration,
| want it distinctly understood that
| refer to no particular prison of this
state. My references and observa-
tons are general. not local or per-
sonal. Therefore, no prison attache
need dodge or think l refer to him.
What is Courtesy?
My Webster defines courtesy" to
be, first. politeness and civility; Sec
ond, an act of civility or respect;
third, favor or indulgence confer
red as distinguished from right.
Where courtesy is extended be-
tween prison officials and prisoners,
and between official and official, be-
tween prisoners, and between the va
rious departments that 60 to make
up prison, as implied in the first
two definitions, there can be no
abuse of it. The abuse can then lie
in want oft. Courtesy" is duty
that every man and woman In prison
owes to his or her temporary supe-
riors, and, the same men and women
have right to expect, certain
amount of return consideration. 1t
costs us nothing and would do much
towards harmonizing the relation
between keeper and ward and would
be vast stride in the fore toward
that ever Elusive goal namely, the
reformation of the states criminal
element That courtesy which is
genuine and unaffected, and shows
the refinement and good breeding
of the innate gentleman, whether
exhibited by the highest prison at
tache or the humblest wall guard, is
just as essential to humane, uplift-
ing influence in prison adminsistra-
ton, as is sunshine to a healthy
plant. When perfect courtllness
and gentility in word and in act
characterizes the demeanor of Off
cials and prisoners, then, indeed,
does the administration come nearer
to serving the public in it's sworn
duty i, e; to effect ultimate reforma-
ton in it's wards. Then, indeed,
would such an administration be
worthy of public veneration and
praise. and command respect where
now only criticism turks.
No Excuse for Rowdyism
No keeper has any time or pa
thence with a, coarse, boisterous,
quarrelsome, rowdy prisoner, who
is constantly casting slurs and
insinuations, and becomes blatant
and abuses all his privileges. No
such conduct could be wisely toler-
ated for the general welfare of the
hundreds or so of other men con-
fined in the same prison. And yet
no prisoner should be compelled to
submit to the petty injustices of a
scolding, garrulous. fussy, stormy
officer who bellows his commands,
instead of transmitting them courte-
ously. Then, indeed, is an injustice
done to the administration from
which nothing can be generated but
disrespect, hate and malice.
Courtesy, gentility, good manners.
neither pompous nor abasive, there
fore lies at the very root of ideal
prison management which is serving
it's true purpose of retaining men
L L L. Il I