The Detroit times., 1917-07-02
Criminals, Rights
nv ~. ADDINGroN BRICE
Author 81 The Riddle ~ Person
hlltN. Psychology and
Parcnthood." 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 az work tending 10
prevent further progress in this di
rcction tending indeed 10 undo
much Of the good that has been acs
complished.
Against these forces only one
thing can prevail-the power OF an
educated public sentiment
And 60 educate public sentiment
Alright first essential is 10 effect
universal appreciation Of the truth
that wrong doors remain human be
incs in spite OF their wrong doing.
and as human beings have certain
rights that ought 10 be respected.
They have the right, 90 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
tho RICH, Of careful individual study
20 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
thiewne 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 tho will pow
or and the moral sense Put the
teeth in order and the wrong doer
ar once becomes more responsive 10
moral training
A. tho opposite extreme. some
criminals are incurably teeble-mind-
cd or insane Their criminality is
really a symptom OF their mental
state
Msnifestly. 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 chance TO examine them.
Accordingly Il Is a right OF every
wrong doer 10 have a thoro mental
examination follow his conviction
for crime. And he has the right 10
be physically examined for any bod
ily defect that may account In part
for his wrong-doing
II defect Of this sort be found
In him he has the right 10 be given
curative treatment for H. After
this. or colncidental. no has the
right 10 be given moral treatment
that will strengthen his will-power
and klndle In him a real desire 20
lead a non-criminA lie.
This means that he has the right
70 be decently housed. provided with
ample and nourishlng 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.
ETc~ IL - ~lnHrrr,
moral educators that physical vigor
and moral strength tend 70 20 hand
In hand. Prison officials often for.
get this II Is necessary for them
10 keep u in mind. and for the pub
lie to make sure that they shall
keep II in mind
Finally. the mentally sound man
imprisoned for wrong-doing has the
right 70 be wisely disciplined
For his own good he needs TO be
trained in habits OF respect for law
and authority. habits OF orderly liv.
ing. and habits OF selfcontrol
All this training. tho. must be
given him by men inspired with
sentiments of true human sympathy.
otherwise the wrong-doer will re
act 10 the training by developing
spirit OF bitterness and revolt
Such are the principal rights OF
criminals Until these rights are
more generally appreciated. until so
ciety al large insists on their recog-
milton. the problem OF reforming
criminals and lessenlng criminality
will remain a problem unsolved.