The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-07-02
Criminals, Rights
ny m. ADDINGroN BRuCE
Author OF The Riddle OF Person
allty." Psychology and
Parenthood." etc.

The last 10 years have seen some
marvellous advances in the humane
and enlightened treatment OF mem
bers OF society imprisoned for
wrong.doing. II has come 10 my
knowledge that here and there
forces are now at work tending 10
prevent further progress in this di-
rection-tending indeed 10 undo
much OF the good that has been &C
complished.
Against these forces only one
thing can prevail-the power OF an
educated public sentiment.
And to educate public sentiment
Alright first essential Is 10 effect
universal appreciation OF the truth
that wrong-doers remain human be
ings In spite OF their wrongdoing.
and as human beings have certain
rights that ought 20 be respected.
They have the right. 10 begin
with. OF being so treated that they
shall IL possible be converted into
doors OF good instead OF evil.
As indispensable 10 this they have
the right OF careful individual study
10 ascertain their physical and men
tai condition.
Modern criminologists have dis
covered that crime is often the in
direct product OF physical defects
and mental abnormalities. Habitual
thieying. for example, has some
times been found associated with
serious but unsupported diseases OF
the teeth.
The dental disease. thru causing
nerve strain or poisoning the whole
system. has weakened the will-pow-
err and the moral sense. Put the
teeth in order and the wrong doer
al once becomes more responsive 10
moral training.
! At the opposite extreme. some
3 criminals are incurably feeble-mind-
ed or insane. Their criminallty Ia
really symptom OF their mental
| state.
Manifestly. moral training can do
little or nothing for such unfortu'
mates. But neither should they be
( held responsible for their misdeeds
The proper place for them Is not
a prison but an institution for the
mentally afflicted. Frequently. how
ever, recognition OF their mental
trouble Is impossible unless experts
have a chance TO examine them.
Accordingly II is a right OF every
wrong doer TO have a thoro mental
examination follow his conviction
for crime. And he has the right TO
be physically examined for any bod
lily defect that may account in part
for his wrong-doing.
II a defect OF this sort be found
In him be has the right 20 be given
curative treatment for II. After
this. or coincidental. he has the
right 10 be given moral treatment
that will strengthen his will-power
and klndle in him real desire 20
lead noncriminal life.
, This means that he has the right
70 be decently housed. provided with
ample and nourishing food. and az.
forded opportunity for exercise In
the open air Denied this right. the
possibility OF influencing him by
moral training is reduced perhaps
TO the vanishing point.
For IL Is an axiom OF modern
moral educators that physical vigor
and moral strength tend 10 go hand
in hand. Prison officials often for
get this. II f. necessary for them
TO keep II in mind. and for the pub
lie 10 make sure that they shall
keep II in mind
Finally. the mentally sound man
imprisoned for wrong-doing has the
right 10 be wisely disciplined.
For his own good he needs 10 be
trained in habits OF respect for law
and authority. habits OF orderly Nv.
ing. and habits OF self-control
All this training. tho. must be
given him by men inspired with
sentiments Of true human sympathy.
Otherwise the wTong-doer will re-
act TO the training by developing a
spirit OF bitterness and revolt.
Such are the principal rights Of
criminals. Until these rights are
more generally appreciated. until so
ciety at large insists on their recog-
milton. the problem OF reforming
criminals and lessening criminallty
will remain a problem unsolved