The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-08-28
The Prevailing Methods Of
Treating Law Violators
Do Not Prevent but
Increase Crime

This article was contributed by a
lover Of humanity and published by
Edwin ]. Brown.
Every year hundreds of men are
convicted OF crime. sentenced and
imprisoned. yet IL IL doubtful IL the
public. or even the Judges and pros
ecutorE themselves. ever stop to
think OF the real object and purpose
OF the law In imprisoning its yio-
la tors.
In the minds Of many still fingers
the old delusion and error that re-
Vcngo and retaliation II its chief
purpose, but such conception Of
the law is farthcst from the truth.
vengeance has no place I'm the
theory OF our criminal jurispru-
dence. Revenge t. abhorrent 10 IL.
Those who slowly built the fabric
OF our laws. perfectinE IL through
many centuries Of experience and
test have carefully avoided. In
theory at least the idea OF punish
ment for crime for punishment's
sake
All legal writer's agree that the
Imprisonment OF the law violators
has two objects: Gl To reform the
offender and deter him from a rep
eution Of his act: and ca TO deter.
by force OF example, others from
committing similar viola lions OF the
law.
AARNF hNN VI
law are fundamental and have come
down 20 us from the twilight OF the
distant past. They constitute the
meat and marrow. the spirit and
WALKING force of our criminal
laws
But in actual practice how far
afield have the courts and prosecu-
tors wandered from these ancient
and fundamental principles. How
they have lost sight OF these two
guiding heacons.
As a rule. the prosecution OF the
offender does not reform him. but
on the contrary accclerates his deg
radiation. Instead of tanning into
renewed life the smolderinE sparks
OF manhood and self-respect (which
are the only redeeming forces) these
impulses are crushed and smoth-
cred. The prisoner IL made to feel
that he is a despised and loathsome
creature, thing for the dogs TO
gnaw. He Is sent to prison, clothed
In stripes. given number, made 10
walk the lock-step. often flogged.
and his labor confiscated. Then, at
last, when his term expires and he
is discharged. what happens lie
world. He has been branded and
degraded; his picture IL In the
rogues gallery the print OF his
fingers has been taken: he has been
measured by the Bertlllou system;
Auf BNAiAF NdNAh Httiis faNFtN NHtTt
he goes the accusing finger Is
pointed at him; There goes an ex-
convict" II he applies for a job. II
IL likely that he viii be compelled
TO write down this melancholy and
tragic chapter of his life. II he
should testify in court the lawyer
will hurl II into his teeth that he Is
an ex-convict The doors OF respec-
liability are closed 20 him,
Human nature has its limitations. |
l.. IA 81. Ia. a t.
curses society in his heart. and be-
comes confirmed criminal. He |
seeks the society OF men like him |
self among whom his misfortune is
no reproach.
No man is ever reformed or made |
better by prison term. II Is true |
! have known few men OF such |
strength of character that they |
were able to withstand the degrad- |
ing ordeal and live upright lives In |
with bitter memories of their prison |
days.
Incidents such ms this are num-
bered by thousands. and II all orig
mates from the brutal and fatal
error that there Is curative and
redeeming power In punishment and
refined torture A more monstrous
fallacy never inhabited the mind OF
man. Cruelty and brutality never
helped anybody or anything. They
are the antithesis of kindness, af-
lection. humanity and all the things
we cherish as noble and uplifting.
There are but two WAYS TO pun
Ish n man; his own conscience from
within and the withdrawal OF affec-
ton from without Anything else Is
torture.
Every man has within him the ele-
ments Of his own redemption. II
The redeeminR power does not dwell
in his own heart he is irresponsible.
comes from within and not