The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-05-26
COLLEGE TRAINS CONVICTS.
California Prisoners Share In State
UniverSity'S Extension Work.

New York Times.)
College instruction for convicts is
being tested on practical lines in the
State Prison at Folsom, Cal, and graf
flying results have been obtained.
The system of instruction is on a
plan outlined by the University of
California and had its inception with
the organization Of five classes in
mathematics by Prof. Manuel j. ia
cobs, who made weekly trips TO the
prison for that purpose. Finding that
the men wished to take up other
studies, the professor selected ten
prisoners as assistants. and classes
were formed in English, elementary
arithmetic, grammar, p~enmanship,
drawing. and Sketching. geography,
history, bookkeeping, and accounting.
Prisoners who desire to improve
their minds by study lave the ad-
vantaSeS of free instruction., but no
special inducement is offered in the
way of reward or excuse from work.
The men, however, appear to appre-
Clate the opportunity for mental i'm
provement, and are honest in their
efforts to make up for the schooling
which they missed in their youth.
About 800 Of the 1850 men in the
prison are receiving class instruc-
ton, and others are anxious to be
enrolled as SOOn as the necessary
school equipment and text books are
obtained. AT present the instruction
is largely oral, supplemented by the
use Of blackboards, the men being
supplied with pads and pencils for
making notes. One hour a week is
given to each class, and in addition
to oral instruction the teachers, with
the aid of typewriters and hekto-
: graphs, provide lessons for study dur
ing the week.
The subjects most in demand by
the men are elementary arithmetic
reading. writing, spelling, and gram
mar, and although the school ha
been in operation only about two
months, decided progress has beer
made by the prisOner-pupilS. Regular
examinations are held, and the me1
are required to show by their pro
gress and proficiency that they arr
giving time and attention to thei
studies. 1t has not been found nee
essary to enforce discipline, or even t,
have a guard present during recita
tons, as there has not been a singh
breach of decorum.
Numerous instances are cited o
prisoners making personal efforts +
aid the school as a whole or to in
struct backward pupils. This interes
even continues on the outside, as i
the cas- Of the teacher in drawing.
newspaper ~cartoonist. who, after h
left the prison, offered prizes and he'll
further by criticising drawings sent t
him by members Of his class.
5 While the work has not progresse,
far, the prison authorities regard tn
plan with favor, arguing that ever
, prisoner who returns to the world wi
leave prison a better man than Whe
he entered. Warden J. ]. Smith, VIII
2 has had many years of experience i
prison matters. believes that the perm
anent reformation of the criminal an
the reduction of crime can be bes
accomplished by directing the mind c
= the prisoner along healthy channel:
Already a marked improvement i
+ demeanor is seen in hos at FOlSOI
2 who are devoting their spare tim
to study.
Other studies will be added to tn
present list as desired, and those com
petent to carry on advanced studio
6 like higher mathematics the Science
@ and literature, or wishing to Specia
. iZe on Viticulture, horticulture, farm
ing and stock raising, engineering, {
p mechanics, may do so through CORE
~spondence with the State Cniversit,