Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1915-02-19

marital troubles occurred last week
! when a woman whose husband is in
one of the correctional institutions
asked the board to interfere in the
matter Of correspondence between her
husband and married daughter. Her
point was that her husbands prison
earnings were being denied her and
that his mind was being poisoned by
the daughters charges. Through the
boards interference a reconciliation
was effected and possible complica.
tions avoided.
Several days ago stranger pre-.
sented himself before the board He
showed the prison stamp and without
hesitation he made known his errand.
81 am just out of Saltwater" he said.
IT am hungry. 1 have no overcoat,
and want work. I simply have to
have help and if don't get it will
have to return to my old ways.' =
1t developed that the prisoner in
question on his discharge had come to
the Twin Cities, met some lormer COM
panions, and his forlorn condition was
the result. He had come out with some
money in his pocket but as he explain
ed it the most Of it had gone to aid
his companions who were more needy
than he at the time. An overcoat was
supplied him, food and shelter provid-
ed Temporarily, and a job secured for
the man. Today he is doing fairly
well, and the chances Of his again be-
coming state charge are decidedly
remote.
A day with the board either at the
Saltwater prison or tho reformatory
is crowded with things Of interest in
a welfare way. Hearings are given
to dozens Of prisoners and their COM
plants and petitions run the gamut.
Perhaps the petition is a request that
some prisoner family be aided. An
other wants to spend his prison earn
ings in a way the board thinks unwise.
Still another desires information that
will aid in securing his release, and
perhaps fourth has left troubles at
home that he believes can be adjusted
if the board will help: him. These re-:
quests are all noted, relief given
wherever possible, and helpful advice
bestowed.
As told in q previous bulletin visits
by the board to the several state in
sane hospitals and asy1ums are made
monthly and they are so arranged
that each member covers each institu'
ton of this character at least four
times in the course of a year. These
visits are for the purpose Of inspection,
! and one of the requirements is that
| any inmate with a grievance or a re-
| quest shall be permitted to meet the
| board and fully state his troubles.
Much in the welfare line naturally re-
! suits.
! While mentally deficient these wards
| of the state are not altogether the ir-
rational creatures that many would
think. They have their home troubles,
| and each case is poured into the ears
| Of the board members. Frequently
these requests develop real problems
and investigation follows. Added to
this are dozens Of letters received
daily from the hospitals and asylums,
! all of which are patiently considered.
Under the direction Of the board
last week the services Of an employe
were given for several days to the in
vestigation of the ability Of person
in one Of the southern counties to care
for and protect patient at one Of
the insane asylums whose release, he
| asked for. ''',>
Firing mothers and parents whose
| control of their children has been
transferred to the state are not an
infrequent source Of anxiety and trou-
bic for the board. Their own neglect
has been responsible FOR the transfer
of the child, and the work Of the board
is directed toward convinving them
that All improvement in home condi-
lions will bring relief.
AS stated, the boards welfare work
! is one Of it's little known duties. W. lie
some OF the problems taken up are in
the line of official routine, the major
ity are self-imposea, and the public
hears little regarding them.