The Washington times., 1914-05-22
COLLEGE TEACHES
STATE PRISONERS
California ConviCtS Share in
State University Work of
Extension.

College instruction for corvicts is be-
ing tested on practical lines IN the
State prison at Folsom, Cal. ana graft
tying results have D@en obtained.
The system OF instruction is on plan
outlined by the University Of California,
and had its inception with the organi-
;ation Of five classes IN Ihathems tics Dy
Prof Manuel J. Jacobs, who male
weekly trips II the prison for that pur-
rose. Finding tnat the men wished to
take up other studies the professor Sc
lnCICd ten prisoners as assistants and
classes WSre formed in English, elS-
IneI;taTv aSi;hlhet,,, grammar, psnnsn-
ship. drawing. and sHetchir=, Seoara-
ply, history, bookkeeping, and account
inG
Prisoners who desire to improve their
minds by study have she advantages of
free instruction bug 40 special induce
ment Is or cred in the way of reward or
excuse froIa work. Tha Tnen, however,
appear to appreciate the opportunity for
mental improvement, and are honest in
their efforts TO make up for the school
ing which they missed IN their youth
Aboit DO Of the 1,Iv0 men in the
prison are receiving class instruction,
ana others are anxious to be enrolled
as soon as the necessary school equip
mcnt and text books are obtained. At
present the instruction is largely oral,
supplemented by the use '.f blacxboards
the men being supplied with pads al
pencils Tor making notes. One hour 4
week is given to each class, and in ad-
oitlon to oral instruction the teachers
with the aid OF hypewriters and hekto-
graphs. provide lessons fo- study during
The subjects most in demand by the
men are elementary arithmetic, read
ing, writing, spelling, and grammar.
ana although the school has been in
operation only about two months, de-
cioed progress has been made by the
prisoner-pupils. Regular examinations
arc held, and the men are required to
shcW by their progress and proficien-
cy that they are giving time and at
tention to their studies. 1t has not
been found necessary to enforce dis
clpline, or even to have a guard pres
ent during recitations, as there has
not been a single breach of decorIIm
Numerous instances are cited of
prisoners making personal efforts to
siG the school as whole or to in
struct backward pupils. This interest
even cont inues on the outside as in
the case Of, the teacher in drawing, a
newspaper cartoonist, who, after he
left the prison, offered prizes and
help further by criticising drawings
sent TO him by members of his class
While the work has not progressed
far. the prison authorities regard the
plan with favor, arguing that every
prisoner who returns TO the world will
leave prison a better man than when
he entered. Warden j.. J. Smith, who
has had many years of experience in
prison matters. lelieyes that the per-
manent reformation of the criminal
and the reduction Of crime can be best
accomplished by directing the mind
% the prisoner along healthy chan
nels. Already a marked improvement
IN demeanor is seen in those at Fol-
som who are devoting their spare time
to study.
other studies will be added to the
present list as desired, and those COM
petent to carry on advanced studies
Ike higher mathematics. the sciences.
snc literature, or wishing TO specialize
on viticulture. horticulture, farming
and stock faising, engineering. or me
chanics, may do SO through correspon- =
oence with the State University.