The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1915-04-22
Another Chance To
Make Good
o. oRRIsoN SWEET MARDEN


w the state OF New Jersey Col Ed.
ward A, Stevens. commissioner OF
= public works. Ia trying an expert
ment with a convict camp. which
hasn't even a fence around t. Thirty
prisoners were sent there from this
overcrowded Trenton prison. TO work
on the highways: and the idea is not
only to improve the roads but to inn
prove the prisoners and to help solve
the prison problem.
The workers have named II the
Don't Worry Club" while IL is known
ofaeIally as State Camp No /. The
word convict" and the idea Of pris,
oners are eliminated everywhere.
There are no cells. and although there
are several guards, they mingle with
the men In friendly intercourse When
their days labor is finished they enjoy
baseball. music or any other healthful
amusement
The men are selected on merit from
the state prison, and there are hun.
dreds Of inmates OF Trenton who waat
to be transferred to Don't Worry
Camp" Opportunity e so is a reward
for good conduct
ia time Il is believed, the camp will
not only be elfgoverued but also
selfsupporting. and the mems labor
can be paid for without cost to the
state. The success OF this experiment
VIII not only mean a revolution ia pc
nology, but be cause for rejoicing TO
the taxpayer,
Every human being who goes wrong
should have a chance 10 redeem him
Self to try again. and he ought to
have an opportunity that Is favorable,
lie ought not 10 be put IN an environ.
ment where everything around him
suggests the crooked the wicked. where
Everything tends TO arouse the brute
4 In him TO develop the evil thing in him,
1 the love OF revenge, bitterness, hatred
and TO kill the good. He ought to be
/ In an environment which would help
\ him to forget the bad. which would
4 only suggest the good, the pure. the
/ clean. which would suggest his divine
4 ly not HIS beastly, propensitles, aud
( which would hold out hope Of another
chance-a chance TO make good.
The brutal instinct lingering in man
has been graphically illustrated in our
cruel. lnhuman treatment Of prisoners,
and in our barbaric slaughter OF hu.
man beings. upon whom the death
penalty has been pronounced. Justice
does not demand such an exhibition OF
horrors There must be some more
human way Of treating our erring
brothers
How can We expect a criminal 10
get back the self respect which he
has lost. by cruel treatment. by half
starving him, treating him like an
animal instead OF like man, putting
him In an iron. cage away from Gods
light and air2
There is good material ability
enough. energy resources enough In
these people we thus deprive OF lib
erty and life, to perform great services
10 humanity as we'll AS to themselves
and their families What right have
we TO deprive them at least Of a
chance 10 make good? How often the
crime we commit against our prison
ers is far greater than their crime to
society!
II we wish TO reform prisoners We
should try to make them self respect.
ing. healthy beings Their environ.
ment should be as attractive and as
normal as possible Reform means
healthful. normal conditions The
mind is In no state % improve or re-
form when suffering from mental de.
preston due 10 the vicious criminal
suggestive environment, where every.
thing reminds the prisoner OF his fall,
or his infeFiority, and everything
about him tends 10 Impress upon him
he fact that he is not human being.
out an outeast
We have all felt the restful. resto--
Ing. renewing power Of beautiful
scenery, Of country life. Why should
We deprive a prisoner Of these helps
10 health and normality2 Nature is a
great restorative, ana criminals should
be kept where they can get the fan
benefit OF the sunlight. air and country
life. in an environment which would
suggest only the good and true. hiled
with possibilities OF recovering lost
manhood and starting fresh.