West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-10-14

aoW ANAaAA VI ny lut Iulch ICCtQIlV
adopted placing that institution on the
honor system now In vogue In all for
ward-looking states. The prefer was
made our townsman last July but he
only undertook the task this month.
and then only temporarily. Warden
White is to be congratulated on Sc
curing the services of Senator Mont
gomery, who has been a student of
prison reform for years. He is mem
Der OF the American Academy OF Po-
litical and Social Science which has
made prison reform a feature.
Warden White has revolutionized
the rules governing the state prison.
The BLACK list" has been abolished.
An inmate on this list could neither
send nor receive mail, neither could
their loved ones or friends see them.
Prisoners were usually placed on the
black list for failure to do the tasks
assigned, failure to turn out as much
work in ten hours as was expected of
them by the contractor. Dark cells.
thumb screws. padding machines and
other implements of torture have been
destroyed. One-half OF the prisoners
have the privilege of the prison
grounds each evening. one evening the
North hall is out, the next evening the
south hall. Under the old rules ONLY
select few had the privilege of the
Il grounds IikaWicn ha a
some 600 hundred persons attend a
moving picture show in the prison
auditorium on Tuesday night, and on
| Wednesday night the South hall of
about an equal number goes to the
movies" Pictures are censored bv
warden White. Prisoners attend un-
accompanied by guards. On SATURDAY.
a half-holiday is given and both the
| North and South halls have the nrivi-
lege of the grounds. Various groups
have orchestras, brass and string
bands, and their music is excellent
others dance, pass the ball, play domi-
noes and checkers. Cards and cigar
cites are strictly forbidden. This is
the honor system" and has been in
operation since the first month War
den White took charge. He claims
that it has demonstrated that a sense
or honor remains in LOO of the prison
population of 1892. Infraction of
prison rules has been reduced to n
minimum, only about $50 of the pris-
/ OnnrG In,
conducted by the warden. They are
the same faces, hardened criminals
life-termers and certain grade OF
young boys who want to be looked
upon as tough customers by the "old
timers" Freedom of the grounds
liberaliZing of the rules and abolish
ment OF barbarous torture has greatl,
reduced the number of those who at
tempt to escape.
Under the old rules a parole pris
oner who had no friends or relatives
and many are thus situated, was bond.
ed out by an employer. Many of tn,
latter proved to be Simon Legrees.
entitled to parole until the day of dis
charge. No provision was made fol
their future. No effort was made tc
restore them to society. AS a result 8
large per cent returned to the Yves
virginia state prison or some othe,
prison as second and third termers
onder the new rules prisoners en-
titled to parole are kept under clos,
supervision. Each one is personall,
interviewed by the parole officer. wht
is familiar with the history of tn,
case. If friends or relatives are avail
able, the parole is sent to them.
cash bond of $25 or a propertv hon,
or $50 is executed. Where there ar,
no relatives or interested parties EN-
ployment is quietly secured for the on,
paroled before he or she leaves III,
institution. Employment suitable t.
their training and former experience,
Is secured whenever possible. En-
ployers OF altruistic ideals are coon
Grating with Senator Montgomery I,
give suitable employment to paroles
All prisoners paroled remain unde,
the supervision and control of the of
hcer in charge of paroles for one year
A report is made each month of TN,
number OF days employed, wages re
ceived, money spent and in what man
ner A report must also be made o
the paroles habits. conduct and Assoc
ciates. The plan now only extends Z,
state prisoners. Senator Montgomery
wants 1t to include the correctiona
institutions and Juveniles. The stat,
ought not. either with It's minors O,
adults, send them out OF an institu.
ton inefficient, unprepared PHYSICAL,
or mentally to take care of themselves
They should be equipped to meet tho
competition they will have TO face
Our state prison gives medical treat.
ment for those physically i'll, scienti.
tic treatment for the inebriate or drup
hend' educatcs the mental incompe.
tent and where necessary, surgicaIly
treats the sex degenerate.
with the cordial support of War
den White aid Governor Hatfield Sen
ator Montgomery expects to make il
success. Warden White has aeon
plished a wonderful reform I'm a quiet
and unobtrusive way.
Three Nights per Week ut Kingwood
Opera House