Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-09-19
PRISONERS ARE
To GO IN ARMY
Commissioner LewiS's Plan
Would Train Inmates for Sep
arate Division of Army
ID speslaI Correspondent.


TRENTON, Sept. 19:--New Jersey
is to be the testing ground for an en-
tireiy new plan for intensive military
training. which is contemplated to
eventually embrace the more than
400. 900 inmates of penal institutions
in the United States. 1t was announced
by the state department of charities
and corrections today.
The idea was originated by State
Commissioner of Charities and Cor
rections Burdette @. Lewis and 1t has
received the approval of the War De-
partment at Washington, as well as
the New Jersey state board OF chari-
ties and corrections The plans pro-
vide for the preparation of the pris-
oners now confined In the Jails of this
country to do work essential in the
conduct of the war and which will
make ii possible for them TO earn the
privilege to fight for their country,
and to be ifiducted as soon as pos
sible. IL found physically,~ mentally
and morally ft, into a distinct and
separate organization OF the army.
The tests to be made in New Jer-
sey will consist OF assigning the pris-
oners to do essential war work here
suoh as building roads, railroads. rail-
ways. digging canals, ditching, drain
age and agricultural labor. Details of
Commissioner Lewis plans call for
the establishment of prison military
training schools. a cantonment, pref
erabIy in the south for the training
of division recruited for the inpates
OF the institutions found At for ac-
tive military service. the assignment
to correctional institutions OF United
States army officers In sufficient num-
ber to carry out the classification and
training of the men and the inclusion
of the federal penitentiaries in the
operation.
Nationwide application OF Com
missioner Lewis plan is now receiv-
ing the careful consideration OF As
sistant Secretary OF War Frederick
Keppel. and Of the special committee
OF the General STAFF OF the War De-
partment of which General Kerr is
the chairman. Assistant Secretary
Keppel has suggested that the first
tests be made in the several states
and New Jersey launched the idea to-
day. Principal Keeper James II.
Mulheron OF the Trenton State Pris-
on and Superintendent Frank Moore,
of the Railway Reformatory, together
with Dr. Henry c. Cotton, Medical
Director Trenton State Hospital. DIR.
Madeleine Hallowell. supervisor OF
vineland Feeble Minded Home for
Women and Dr. David +. Weeks, di-
rector of the Epileptic Village AZ
skillman are cooperating with NJ.
Lewis.
'.rhe plan will at once eliminate
the objections OF certain army ON
GERS" "saidsCommissio Lewis today,
TO the placement of felons or mis-
demeanors together with the other
United States troops. inasmuch as Il
provides for the segregation OF such
prisoners IN separate army divisions
under regular army officers. Further.
Ii will eliminate the obvious fnjus<
tice of the situation which calls for
the entire effort and sacrifice OF our
best and nobiest men. and carefully
shields and protects our offending
classes.
''It has received the approval OF the
War Department In Washington to
make test OF my plan In the state
OF New Jersey. which eventually will
provide. N IL is extended TO the other
states. for the utilization of the man
power OF more than 400. 900 prisoners
in the United States. To this end.
have called a meeting of the wardens
and superintendents OF the correc-
tional institutions IN this state. and OF
my medical advisory board on classi-
fication. and have directed that the
plan be put into immediate operation,
thus placing the man-poWer- In the
prisons and reformatories OF New
Jersey At the disposal OF the United
states army"