The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-05-07
S. TIE HAsKIN LETTER
Giving the Prisoner a New Start.
By Frederts J. LIaslcin.

defects which We're the result Oh Ae6
HSence rather than intent
Last year. TWO young women vol
unfairly entered the women's prison
in New y o-k and went through the
entire program mapped out for pris-
one-s convicted of forgery Maggie
Martin. $780, related her experience
IN detail and it is forming the bass
for improvements in prison lie 10Y
women An equally important DIT OF
literature having bearing upon
prison reform has lately been MADE
public in an article written by q,
woman who served three year term
IN Bedford Reformatory. New ork-
She went in thoroughly bad girl.
appareatlv capable Of any sort OF
crime. She had run away from
home and after a checkered career
Of several years, was arrested IN New
York. with man accomplice. for
burglary Her life at Bedford lanes l..e
and reformed her. She left 1t with
habits OF thrift and industry. she
developed literary talent. which was
fostered by play she wrote for pro-
duc-ion in the institution. Sh1l
learned 10 take pleasure in gardening
and in many of the forms of handi-
work taught. and has now the e..
pressed desire OF living correct and
useful life.
The quiet of prison life sometimes
develops latent literary talent A few
years ago. prisoner in federal
prison sent little poem TO we'll
known magazine It was so we'll ap-
preciatad that other contributions
were asked. Upon his release he was
given regular position upon the
staff. which he is still filing salts
factorily.
one OF the most popular short
story writer's VINO has appeared upon
the horizon during the last two years
is a man sentenced to prison upon the
charge of embeZzlement. During MS
confinement he began writing stories
which had great human interest A
few months ago, he was released up
that he endeavor to refund the
amount of his defalcation. He has,
a greed TO apply $4,000 a year to-
that purpose until the amount OF
$4,000 be paid. AS he had maya
zine contracts amounting to >i0.OOot
to be filed within TWO years there
seems every prospect that he VIII
fulfill his contract.
The released prisoner is the man
a against whom every hand seems
turned. and strong effort is bein
made to change public sentiment IN
this direction The ex-convict has no
citizenship and few rights in the law
1t IS hard for him. to obtain employ
ment under his own name. If he
takes an assumed name and builds
up a good reputation. he is constantly
facing the possibility of being ex-j
posed. as happened in Philadelphia 4
year or two ago to man who had by
diligence and application become
elected to the city council under an
assumed name A mans right to
citizenship can be restored two
years after his release upon satisfac-
tory evidence of good behavior by re-
liable witnesses. But it is hard to
secure any position where his be-
havior could be certified to under his
convict's name, and he cannot apply
for reinstatement under his old namo
if he has won his good position under
an assumed one
Prisoners are now being advised IN
most cases to take their own name,
and employers are being constantly
urged to give the eN-convict chance.
One of the largest automobile manu-
facturers in this country is now CIV
ing employment to convicts who VIII
openlv acknowledge themselves as
such. and he has given an order FOR
bidding discrimination against them
on the part of foremen of workmen-
He goes upon the assumption thas
.he mans fall from virtue was due 70
the fact that he was down and out.
and ne gives him an opportunity to
make good.