New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-06
.oSBORNE's PRISON REFORMS
A Demonstration of Good Sense,
Not of Sentimentalism.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: From a visit 10 Sing Sing and from
considerable study Of the prison problem
have come TO the conclusion that Warden
Osborne. far from being a sertimentalist, %
a sturdy, sincere. whole-hearted warden. who
is as firm as he is kindly His new Ideas il
prison reform are based not on sentimental
ism" but on Justice. fair play and common
sense His mistake" lies IN breaking away
from the old shibboleths. Inconsistencies and
inhumanties of the old penology.
wonder how many cf Osborre's critic,
have ever taken the trouble 70 20 up 10 Sing
Sing. / wonder how many of them have ever
thought about the fundamental problem, and
purposes of our prison system.
The Rist of the matter is this: Warden o..
borne believes that prisons should reform,
rather than punish, the convicts. After all,
isn't that the common sense view Of the
matter? If prisons merely wreak yengeanes
upon lawbreakers by crushing and depressing
them at every turn what end is served for
the community? Does this not lead 70 the
convict's hatred for society, and for a desire
on his part 10 avcuge the cruolties beapei
upon him? Some there are who believe tina.
such methods have a deterrent value" Bu,
is it so? Is it not q fact that repre...ye
and oppressive prison treatment deadens the
convicts self-respect and submerces their
better instincts? Is it not a fact that the
example of the state is bad one for the
prisoners and others due to the psychology
of suggestion?
Is Sing Sing really pink-tea prison, where
the prisoners are petted and coddled' Is i
'coddling" to place prisoners in dirty, DARK
wretchedly damp holes, honored with the
name "cells'-holes measuring three feet b.
seven? Is it "codding" 70 be kept behind
grim prison walls for years and years, with
work in dirty, ramshack.e shops" during the
day. and with filthy holes for the night
Often the prisoners are doubled up IN these
miserable, so-called cells"
Warden Osborne tries 70 make men and
useful citizens out Of the prisoners. lie does
this not by suppressing and ruthless.y pun
shing them, but by placing them on tnel
honor, by elevating and developing their SELL
respect, by giving them a share IN their gov
eminent, and by making them realize tns'
they are men and that they can reform. Ana
this does not mean that the prisoners are
fondled. When stern measures are necessary
they are used Discipline Is ma.ntained-P
the convicts themselves. through their elected
delegates. At the trial court, with cony'e,
judges. etc, violation Of the rules IS punishe1
by deprivation of privileges" which means
very much, for il keeps the rule-breaser 10
his cell the maximum time. and nothing
worse than the cell.
Sing Sing Is a horrible institution +"
building and as penal home. Ard yet 'D''
a place is called "a pink-fea rsso-~'
Here are Warden Ostorne's three funo'-
mental principles OF per ology:
% The law must decree not punishment"
but temporary exile from society until Wv
offender has proven By his conduct that No
is AZ 20 return
(2) Society must brand no man as a erim',
nal; but aim solely 20 reform The meh'a.
conditions under which a criminal act h''
been committed
go The prison must be an nstitu"o.
where every inmate must have the lars'''
practicable amount OF individual freedom %
cause 1T is liberty alone that h's men y.
liberty" These principles are taken to- ~
0sborne's address on The True FoundA.'s.
Of Prison Reform" delivered In 1900 Oeiy.'
the Congress Of the National Prison A''O'''
tom -
Oh, by the way, prisoner on his 'ho" a..
just escaped from Sing Sing. Perhaps ~
borne's critics will capitalize this. II ~.
man escapes, the papers will print cal
heads about IT, Yet they give less space
any, at ALTO the really significant 'hins
that In seven months Of Osbornes Tes'S
only two men out OF 100 ever atemP,x
escape! Doesn't this show eonelusiVeH
success OF the "honor system?
N. LINCOLN SCHUsTEN
New York, June 80, 1915.