New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-24
WEST TO TRY
OSBORNE POLICY
Head of California Indus
trial School InspectS
Sing Sing.
WRITES IMPRESSIONS
FOR GRAND JURY
Former Teacher at Auburn
Praises Reforms Started by
Accused Warden.

After a two days visit to Sing Sing.
Calvin Derrick, superintendent Of the
Preston School Of Industry in Califor-
MIA and thoroughly familiar with con
dtions in the prisons Of this state un-
der the old regime as a director Of the
George Junior Republic and head
teacher at Auburn Prison. has come
out in support of the system inaugu-
rated by Thomas Mott Osborne. He
was much impressed with the condi-
tons at Sing Sing. These conditions
are described by him IN letter sent
Yesterday 10 Andrew Buchanan, fore
man Of the Westchester County Grand
Jury, which is investigating Sing Sing
affairs.
Mr.. Derrick had intended to appear
before the jury and testify on Warden
Osborne's behalf, but he finds IL i'm
possible 10 remain in New York until
the next session of the Jury. and he
wrote TO it instead.
Immediately after mis- return to the
Pacific Coast Mr.. Derrick plans an
active campaign to bring the standard
of prison administration up TO that set
by Warden Osborne, according to state
ments made by him TO- members OF the
National Committee on Prisons and
Prison Labor In his letter TO Fore
man Buchanan Of the Sing Sing Grand
Jury he said:
"The people Of the Pacific Coast are
keenly interested in the new system
being developed in Sing Sing Prison
under Warden Osborne. Governor
Johnson and his entire staff OF officials
are progressive from every standpoint.
Not only have they initiated some Of
the biggest reforms in government and
in penology, but they are anxiously
observing the effect of every reform in
other states. | regret that cannot
remain over 10 tell the grand jury Of
the interest felt in California in the
Sing Sing experiment, but assure you
will use all my influence in Califor-
MIA to spread the principles of the
Mutual Welfare League as | saw IL In
operation in Sing Sing Prison.
IL am thoroughly familiar with
prison conditions in New York State
prior to 1912. For three years | was
connected with Auburn Prison as head
teacher, and often visited Sing Sing
and other prisons of the state. For
five years ! was director of the George
Junior Republic and became thorough
ly acquainted with Mr.. Osborne's
ideas of prison reform, as he was
president of the George Junior Re-
public Association at that time. Since
leaving New York State in 1912 | have
visited many prisons throughout the
United States and have carefully
studied prison conditions.
when at Sing Sing | looked in vain
for the drawbacks. abuses, demorali
cation and riotous conditions which
are alleged to be developing in the in
stitution. | cannot find them. can
see much improvement, a better spirit,
better discipline. using the term dis
cipline in its true meaning "a training
rather than punishment.
81 remained overnight at Sing Sing.
During the evening | witnessed two
entertainments given in the chapel by
outside talent, under the direction of
Mrs. Maude Booth. | saw the inmates
come into and leave the chapel There
was but one officer present The size
of the chapel only permits the assem-
bling OF half the convicts at one time;
therefore the entertainment had TO be
repeated During the intermission
about one thousand men arose. left the
chapel, and their places were taken
by the others, who came in unaccom-
panied by officers. While there was an
absence Of rigid military order, there
was not the slightest disorder or any
unusual cOmmotion. II made remark
able impression upon me, as | realized
the contrast from conditions which !
previously knew in Sing Sing.
"The next day | visited many Of the
departments studied the organization
OF the Mutual Welfare League. talked
with scores of the men concerning the
advantages and disadvantages. con-
trasted, with many Of the older pris-
oners, the present possibilities and
present results with those of former
days. Good fellowship, firm faith.
quiet determination TO live up to the
standards expected of them were most
apparent. I have never seen anything
like il in any other institution.
MANY prisons in many states during
the last few years have made great
progress toward establishing condi-
tons which emancipate the unfortu-