The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-09-22
OHIO'S MODEL PENITENTIARY
State, Under Direction Of Governor Cox, Has Taken
Long Step Forward in Treatment of Its Delin'
guent Citizens, Both Old and Young.

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them for a better place in society
when they are released.
Thousands OF dollars a year are
saved the taxpayers through the oper-
alton of the prisoners compensation
law, which in large measure assists
financially the dependents Of men in
carcerated in the Ohio penitentiary,
and in numerous cases makes aid
from charitable organizations or from
counties unnecessary.
Governor Cox's progressive ideas
we're expressed in House Bill No. 612,
PASSED at his recommendation by the
Eightieth general assembly, which
gave the Ohio board of administration
authority to devise a plan Of payment
for the labor Of prisoners. The pris-
oners are paid a small wage for their
labor, all of which Is now given to the
state, instead of a contractor, as un-
der the old system. Ninety per cent
Of a prisoners earnings Is sent to
his dependents, and while the amount
is comparatively small, Il comes as a
God-send to the vile and children, who
were deprived OF support when the
prison gates changed behind their
breadwinner. Ten per cent is allowed
to stand until the prisoner Is finally
released.
But the new prison farm In Madison
county, made possible through the eff.
forts of Governor Cox, marks the
greatest forward step ever made in
Ohio In handling transgressors of the
laws. 1t has been pointed out that
men can not be reformed and made
natural amid unnatural surroundings.
With this in mind, Governor Cox rec
ommended the new prison farm,
which, when in full operation, with
the prison buildings erected, will be
cited as the model prison OF the coun-
try.
The indeterminate sentence law,
passed upon the recommendation OF
Governor Cox, Is step forward in
penal Effairs that has the hearty APP
proval OF the advanced thinkers
among the penologists. 1t is just and
fair TO prisoner and society as well.
Unless the investigation conducted un-
der the laws governing the discharge
Of man serving an indeterminate
sentence show him worthy and fit to
return to the free world, he Is deta'n-
ed until he shows moral and mental
improvement sufficient to warrant his
lease on parole.
Governor Cox did not overlook the
Juvenile offender, from the ranks OF
whom is recruited the great majority
OF the penitentiary population. He
caused to be passed a law providing
for the establishment of a bureau OF
juvenile research, which will decide
the final disposition of every case aris-
ing In the juvenile courts of the state
This bureau acting upon the results
of modern psychological tests an6
ether examinations, will decide wheth.
er the child should be committed to
some institution, or placed in pri-
vate family, where proper home train
ing can be had.
These and many other measures for
society's and humanity's benefit, urged
by and adopted at the recommenda-
tion of Governor Cox since he assumed
the office. have caused widespread
favorable comment, and his progress
sive plans are being watched by the
authorities of other states.
ana mirror In their crystal depths the
dark green of the surrounding forests,
the rich cOlors OF the rugged mountain
walls and the deep blue of the cloud
hecked sky. On, again, from lake to
lake, the waters flow and finally start
down their long courses to the sea to
merge at length with the chill waters
Of Hudson bay, the balmy tides OF the
Gulf of Mexico or the rolling pillows
of the Pacific"