Norwich bulletin., 1915-10-23
JUDGE WARMERS IDEAS
ON PRISON REFORM.
He Suggests Lines on Which Youru
People Could Do Effective Work.

Sunday. Oct. "a, has been designated
as Prison Sunday, and Judge E. VI.
Warner of Putnam. who is superin-
tendent of prison and Jail work in con-
nection with the State Y. P. S. c. E.,
has suggestions to make in connection
with it's observance. giving some idea
of what he considers young people can
90 effectively in prison reform.
He says:
1 think the first thing to be done is
to study and investigate crime and
criminals. Find out what reform has
been attempted and the results.
In order to do this It will be neces-
sary to read history The life and
work of such people as John Howard
or Elizabeth Frye or Victor Hugo, or,
of late years. E. c. Wines. z. r. Brock
way, Charles Dudley Warner, Dwight
L. Moody, Maud Ballington Booth and
many others. The most imperative de-
mand should be made that the princi-
pie of reformation of the criminal
should stand first. and while punish
ment may be inflicted it should always
be administered with a view to the
reformation of the offender and his
restoration to society On the walls
of one of the early Roman prisons,
1903, the words are cut: 1T is a small
thing to restrain the wicked by pun
ishment, If We do not reform them by
a good discipline"
Know Your Own Town.
Having settled upon the proper
principle. let the young people in a
proper way and at proper times get
positive information as to the condi-
ton of each town or locality. Let the
young men attend, If convenient, the
justice or police court. Is there a pro-
baton officer in the town or city? The
good influence of a good probation Of
ficer is unlimited. In one year S36, 900
in wages was collected by probation
officers and handed over to the needy
families of the men under probation.
If there is no probation officer in your
town, urge the judge to appoint one
Discuss the local condition at some
meC ting Of the Y. p. S. G. z. society
and consult with your pastor as to any
influence you might exert to improve
things. Get your pastor to preach on
Prison Sunday, the fourth Sunday in
October in each year, on crime and
criminals. Ask the state superintend-
ent and associate superintendent on
prison and Jail work to address your
society or union. They will be glad
to come.
Let the young men visit your county
Jail upon proper occasion, taking with
them your pastor. and If possible a
good quartette to sing. / would not
advise young ladies to visit jails.
One of the most frequent offenses Is
The present law is no
way attempts TO reform the prisoner.
He, serves short term and Is then
only to be rearrested in a
short time and returned to Jail. This
sort of law has actually created a
large class of drunken loafers who
beat the state out Of a living by get
ting drunk.
Farm for Inebriates.
A farm for inebriates where they
could be held for long terms, say from
one year to three, should be provided
for these men. The Legislature of 1913
passed such a law and 1t failed to Sc
cure the governors signature for lack
of funds. The session of 1915 witness
ed similar tragedy. The bill was
passed, but failed to get the necessary
appropriation. Now as a matter Of
fact, it would be better to mortgage
the statehouse to raise the necessary
money for a. farm for inebriates rather
than continue the present wicked man
agement of drunkards. A substitute
bill was passed permitting the confine-
ment Of say so FOUNDERS at a depart
ment of the Norwich insane hospital
as an experiment under the efficient
management of the superintendent, DR..
Pollock. It is hoped and believed that
this experiment will clearly show the
good results that would follow the es-
Enlistment of good sized institution
wholly devoted to inebriates.
Let all young men within reason en-
courage clean sports for growing lads
and cultivate friendly interest in
boys Be big brother to some lively
youngster on the street. Get all the
lads to quit smoking cigarettes. Urge
the voters to provide Fairgrounds I'M
der proper supervision.
There is splendid work for young
people to do all along the line. Pitch
In!