South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-18
TRY TO RECLAIM
JOLIET PRISONERS
New Plans Provide For Cot
tageS Outside Walls For
Men Worthy of KindeSS.

SPRINGFIELD, III Feb. ls.-A
plan whereby prisoners az Joliet
( penitentiary. BY gaining merit. may
be promoted from a guarded cell Co
/ residence in a cottage outside the
walls. is announced by John J.
Whitman, state superintendent Of
prisons. He believes that many in
mates OF penal institutions are cap
able Of reclamation.
The plan, as outlined tentatively
by Mr.. Whitman. will make a. pos
sibIe for the man who finds him
self behind prison bars 10 benefit by
applicable TO his tasks and by
showing himself Trustworthy.
No radical change is contempiat-
ed. il is announced, while the pres
ent prison equipment Is in use. the
idea being 20 inaugurate the scheme
when the new Joliet plant. located
on a 1000 acre tract near the old.
is ready for occupancy. Progress
Is now being made. IL is said. to
ward the completion OF the new in
stitutIon
In the life OF every prisoner four
stages will be possible, under the
contemplated plan. as follows:
First-COnfinement in a cell and
without privileges.
Second-COnfineme in a cell but
with Ger tain privileges earned by
good conduct
Third-Residence in a cottage out
side the prison walls with supervis-
ion lessened.
II is hoped TO rearrange the pres
ent Illinois system OF parole SO that
every person who seeks 20 be pa
rolled shall have demonstrated his
title 10 such action before a petit
ton Will be acceptable.
when a prisoner goes in under
the new plan he viii be placed in
class one without privileges" said
Mr.. Whitman. Unless he shows
qualities that entitle him TO more
freedom OF action he will remain
there. II. however. he gives evi-
dence OF a desire to do right, fulfn
his duty as II Is indicated 20 him
and better his condition. he will he
aided in every way by the authori-
ties.
Study Zach Man.
II IS the intention TO make a care
/ ful study OF every man entering the
prison. His record will be az hand
la addition he will be given a ply
steal examination 4 psychologist
viii observe his mental qualities, his
tendencies and his weaknesses. He
will be allowed 20 state his prefer
ence as 10 employment. and tasks
adapted to his abilities will be chos-
en- for him. In short. there will DE
a systematic effort TO learn every
thing possible about every inmate or
the institution.
Promotion will be on the basis OF
merits. and il will not be impossi-
BILE. Mr Whitman stated. for bad
conduct TO cause demotion.
For several years prisoners have
been working on the honor farm
with little restraint and few safe
guards against escape Under the
scheme contemplated. according 20
/ Mr.. Whitman, there will be less like
lihood Of desertion because the men
reaching this stage viii have been
carefully tested as 20 their reliaoil-
/ ity and worthiness.
The cottage idea Of housing trust
/ ed prisoners is new ia Illinois IT
Is planned 20 build the cottage sub
stantialIy and 20 have from ~ 90
20 men live in each Mr.. Whitman
hopes thus 90 teach convicts the art
of living together and observing The
ethics II society. The grounds VIII
+ be poIiced as are the streets Of any
village. but whether there is TO be-
"a system of self government in the
/ village has not been determined. ATT
in the village viii be- assigned Zoo
some sort Of work as usual