Evening journal., 1916-02-17
OUR wORKHOUsE AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.


and the Ferris Industrial School for Boys there is
much in the annual report of the New York state Com
mission of Prisons that should be Della
wareans One feature OF that report recommends that
Sing Sing prison demolished and that the convicts
be placed on a great model farm where they will be
self-supporting
From that report we quote the following extracts
in the hope that they will assist in strengthening local
sentiment to a degree that will make it possible for
the Workhouse and the Ferris School trustees to
carry out their benehcient projects:
THAT the so-called criminal class be divided into
three each group being susceptible of many
subdivisions
."First-Containng about 30 per cent. Of those who
have committed or have been convicted of crimes who
mentally deficient or insane mentally degen-
crate.
"second-Those who are not really criminals but
who have under certain conditions to environment,
poverty, and weakness of character mistaken irrespon
sble judgment by Of technical or legal con-
dition been placed in position where according to
the laws Of the State they have been subject to ncar-
ceration in a penal institution.
"Third-The habitua criminal. who, according to
Lombroso and Ferri constitutes the only positive Grim
inal class
ITO all reasonable persons It is evident that the first
step in the study of criminals should be of thor
ough scientific segregation, and obviously this cannot
be under the present prison system. While it is
true that the State maintains prison for the crmi-
naliy it undoubtedly true, according to the
data supplied to the Prison Commission by Willard
Demo- NJ. d., State Supervisor Of Health that 40 per
of the prisoners at Sing Sing. if they we're prop
ery examined, would be found to require medical and
physical treatment, and a large number OF could
be cured Of their criminal tendencies
81, Is also fact that all classes incarcerated in
State prisons without classification and segrega-
on and SO the prisons have become breeding places
OF disease and degeneracy schools OF crime one
not normally criminal but a subject of misfortune
with sporadic tendency to crime, finds himself at
the end of a short prison term social pariah. Cast
off by society and unable to pursue his work in the
world, he turns hopelessly to criminal life, and
through the associations with which he comes in
tact during the term Of his prison sentence eventually
becomes habtual criminal Therefore, it is essen
tal that a and oiontifc prison shoulG be built
upon such plan that there can be no improper COM
nitnicotion between tie different classes
And still further. it is undoubtedly true that
who is a hardened criminal at a certain age his life
may by proper training both mental and physical and
by the aid of deep religious and ethical encouragement,
change his entire character and become a normal and
worthy member of society,"
Coming to definite proposals for the idea, the
Commission said
Hitherto, the personality of the convict has been
merged in that of the OF incarcerates there inn
bibe the concentrated crminality they expected to
eschew.
calls for and scientific homogeneous, and hui
naniaran reform and development Of entire prison
system in our penal institutions.
"In the conception OF a plan for State prison,
il is essential that take into consideration that the
State Of New York purchases hundreds of thousands
OF dollars worth Of industrial and farm products yearly
which might produced State institutions At the
same time prison industries be brought to a far
higher type Of efficiency There exists potential ele
ment of advancement that permit us to meet the
markets that exist for the products of prisons.
"a number of State prisons are self-supportng and
there is why the prisons OF the State OF New
York should not be self-supporting. Therefore. in
planning new prison we should contemplate the in
sallation of farm dairy industries the intro
duction of the raising of varied farm and livestock
products. Included among prison industries should
be all these clements that have been tried in our
prison system and added thereto should be other in
dustries which, after study and Investigation
found practical
"The provision for the segregation of the different
units requires the utmost study Obviously it will be
necessary to erect a series OF cehouses which after
deliberation will be found to meet .modern
qurements. bearing in mind the proper classification
and segregation OF the different types of inmates The
celhouses should be planned and in the light
modern science and with the introduction Of all the
most modern methods of sanitation, ventilation. and
construction.
"A major part Of this be executed by prison
labor at a great saving to the state; namely excava-
tion sewerage water supply, grading and the erec-
tion Of buildings
because of this fact model prison can be erected
and the cost minimized The State of New York owns
the land on which model prison can be built; this
land contains every element including water
supply; therefore II is evident that all the ends de-
sired can be accomplished the earliest possible time
/ il a sufficient sum OF money be appropriated by the
| Legislature for the commencement of the work"
] hoe, odo nfad bx Tho nOu1.
mission but IL also has the endorsement of many
prominent penologiss and social reformers, including
Warden Kirchwey OF Sing Sing; Henry Marquand
state Commissioner of Charities; William Townsend
Of the State Parole Board; Burdette G. Lewis Com
missioner Of Correction; Francis Lynde Stetson Isaac
! n segman and William Hamlin Childs
The New York report presents clearly what the
trustees of our County workhouse and Ferris School