The mirror., 1914-07-23

fire and it will burst. Hence SAT-
ty-valve is provided. Subject man
to close confinement, where he has
nothing to think of except his troub-
les, and his heart will become a
boiling cauldron of hate and re-
venge, and the safty-valve ls to get
him interested in something outside
of himself, otherwise his temporary
disease becomes chronic and incur.
able.
The plan for prisoners amuse-
ments and recreatIons is not a char
ity nor sentiment. 1t is a per-
scription known to be the only an
tidote for the mental diseases and
conditions that result from his situ-
alton and surroundings. 1t is a
tonic for the mind, and a rest for
the body, the necessity for which
has always been accepted by. and for
young and old everywhere. except
for the man in prison. who of all
men needs it the most.
Aid to Discipline
AS an aid to discipline and incen-
tive to good conduct, the right to
participate in the recreations and a
musements is more powerful and
persuasive in most cases, than all
the promises or penalties of the pa
role law and the good conduct law
combined. The man who sits in his
cell while his companions are enjoy
ing themselves in the open air, feels
the consequences of misconduct
more keenly than he would feel the
prospect of few days of imprison-
ment added at the end of a long
term.
Without mental relaxation, moral
teachings make no impression on
the mind of the prisoner, and the
Office of chaplain might as well be
abolished. Without the physical
benefits of exercise, the prison ply
sician may draw his salary. but he
cannot earn it in results.
If you. Mr.. Taxpayer, were to
visit our recreation grounds some
afternoon, and saw your robber,
with hundreds of his fellows. run
ming, jumping, yelling and showing
hearty enjoyment in the amusements
provided for him and them, you
would feel that he was being re-
warded for stealing your money.
You don't want him to have a good
time here. You want him to suffer,
and this is the prevailing public SEN
timent that has dictated our prison
policy; but we would have you re-
member that what you see are the
evil thoughts. savage hatred. revenge
and despair. escaping in noise and
bodily action, which if bottled up
might some day be vented ON you or
your friends, and you would share
in paying the damage.
- Makes Better Men
We want your robber to leave
this institution in better frame of
mind than when he came here; 9TH
erwise the first time that he is under
the influence of his appetite, greed.
or revenge, he will yield, even if
the penalty is death, because he will
not reason from cause to effect, but
will be dominated by the feelings
that have possession and control of
him at the time. He does not think
of the penalty.
The humanlzing effects of these
recreation periods are felt, not only
by the prisoners, but by the prison
officials. Anything that will bring
the men and their keepers into more
intimate and friendly relations
should be cultivated as an admin
istrative measure.
When people read of games and
other amusements in prison, they
picture the men as spending their
time in frivolous pursuits, forgetting
that such recreations are only incl
dents in prison life. occupying at
the most about five hours In week.
Suppose you, Mr.. Taxpayer, were
condemned to endure a dull tooth
ache for five years, with liberty to
spend your time as you pleased. To
sit still and think only of that tooth
would drive you crazy, and so, you
would go about your business, and
live your life more intensely than
before, specially seeking every
means to distract your mind into
forgetfulness of the pain. Theatres,
baseball, and picture shows might
mitigate, but could not compensate
for your punishment.
People do come back to prison,
but it is for other reasons than TO
enjoy the amusement features.
McGRAW TELLS HOW