Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-06-21
PRISON MANAGEMENT REFORM.
Illinois Tries Cooperative System
to SuppIant Honor Farm"

TO SupPldhC T1ONOf
Springfield, Ill, June 21.-A CO. oper-
alive system Of prison management in
Illinois already is well under way. 1t
is the product of John Whitman, sup
erintendent Of prisons, and has the ap-
prevail of Governor Lowden and
Charles H. Thorne, director Of the de-
partment Of welfare.
Quietly but none the less effectively
the honor farm at the Joliet peni-
tertiary has lost it's identity and in its
place has grown up the cooperative
system OF procedure where. Mr.. Whit
man says, distractions have Leen elm
mated. No less emphasis is placed on
the worth of the honorable conduct, he
points out, but an attempt is Being
made to gain the end by appeals that
all the men will understand and not
by featuring"
Altho the honor farm" sign at Joliet
has been torn down and another bear
ing the words state farm" substituted,
prisoners considered worthy are being
trusted in the same way. Instead OF
making promises. however the prison
officials inform the prisoners who go
TO the farm that their cases depend en-
tirely on the sort of service rendered
and that curtailment of sentences,
where lawful, will result only from
work well done and a, disposition to live
right lives. Under the present ar
rangement, cases are reviewed every
year and recommendations made. Men
go to the farm, therefore. bearing
weight Of responsibility.
Not only at the state prison farm,
but throughout the entire prison sys-
tenn Of the state, the same policy is
being worked out.
Mr.. Whitman's whole scheme Of
| management avowediy is intended to
actual building Of character within the
walls.
ITO do this" he says, there must be
an exhaustive, careful and Intelligent
study Of each individual so that all will
be understood, their weaknesses recog-
nized and treatment prescribed that
will meet their individual needs
whether 1t be treatment for physical
or mental health, to overcome lack OF
proper training or the effect of bad en-
vironment. insufficient education, hab-
its OF tdleness or any of the many
! ether things that tend to contribute
! toward delinquency and crime"
I'm order to reach the desired goal
in retaining the man who has sinned
against society and finds himself be-
hind prison walls three steps are cited
by Mr.. Whitman as necessary:
First, proper treatment Of the men
tally and physically sick.
10
needs and abilities of Individual in
mates.
Third. A progressive merit system
! working toward freedom.
This progressive merit system" he
states, being thing that Is entirely
visible to the prisoners, serves to main
tain discipline and promote industry
| as well as fit them for useful caree
in after life"
In the new prison at Joliet, now be-
ing constructed. 1t is planned to have
three sections, the first for those who
enter the institution, the second for
those who have shown themselves
worthy OF greater trust and able to as
| sumo some responsibility, and the third
where considerable freedom win be af-
forded in cottages outside the prison
walls proper. The prison farm In the
CO. operative system is to offerthe final
opportunity for self expression on the
part Of the p1en.
In the second class" Mr. Whitman
says. largest opportunity for study of
prisoners will come. Then win present
itself the greatest opportunity for real
educational work. We knew by that
time and knew what to do to help them
get permanently fixed in class two
where real progress begins. It is at
this time they ALSO begin to earn con-
sideration for parole and realize fully
| that whatever consideration they get
Is due to merit only. They begin also
to understand something about the