Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-08

upon persons of sluggish temperament.
who do not easily grow restless under
such treatment, it is evidently too
severe for one OF nervous tempera-
ment, especially II mis- physical strcng,h
is much below normal
Regarding Prison Cumps.
Regarding prison camps the repor,
reads:
We now have thirty-four convict
camps with total enrolment OF l,2si
prisoners. With so many groups so
widely separated each III charge OF
diihGu!t 10 maintain uniform standards
OF discipline and the same degree OF
efficiency.
We recommend that the convict
camps be placed under the supervision
OF "A competent prison expert, who shall
be required TO keep in touch with the
best thought OF the day in camp man
aSement. that the sergcantS in charge
OF the various camps be required 10
meet ut least twice Il year under his
direction 10 Ia discussion of their prob
lens and 70 hear lectures from prison
experts and road builders, and tina,
systematic efforts be made TO promote
the efficiency OF the scrgcants by OFFER
ing prizes Tor the best kcpt camps and
tor the groups OF prisoners who main
tam the best prison discipline.
Suggest Honor Camps.
1--WE recommend that bathing facili-
ties be installed at the camps in ac-
cordance with recommendations made
by the state Board OF Health
Facilities should be provided for daily
! bathing.
| I'VE recommend that the superln-
tendcnt and highway commiss oner be
| requested To consider the advisabil,i,
| OF establishing honor camps to whici
! prisoners may be sent as q reward
| Yer good behavior. Al such camps
me prisoners should, OF course, be
under less restraint and have more
privileges than at the ordinary camps
We recommend that every camp he
provided With recreation tent in
evenings and holidays.
we give place TO no man or Sc:
Of men in our Jealousy for Virginia $
fair name, and we long for the day
I'd from NiEs MIA prisons; but the
Facts before us do not permit us TO
indulge IN any illusions. We face a
condition ana not a theory only, and
amy glory by publicly abolisnInS
logging one day and privately resort
lnS 10 some such desperate measure
as hanging up prisoners by the hands
next. We believe III the superiority OF
moral over physical appeals. We be-
lcve with the most radical OF re-
formers mat no human being is so
dcbascd that he cannot in some way
be brought TO respond 10 a moral APP
peal; but We cannot ignore the fact
that ii takes men OF the highest moral
po"t: 70 eNectl|ely MAKE SIcn an
appeal and II is evident that sent
ment for prison reto-Sl IN Virginia has
not yet reached ihe point wnegc the
state can be persuaded 10 employ
guards with reference 10 their ability
10 exert moral force rather than their
ability 10 exert physical force. MOI
can We ignore the fact that go long
as our prison system does not emp!oy
moral forces OF sufficient powe! K
manage prisoners, who are 700 brutal
ICED 10 respond 10 ordinary appeals
and SO long as those prisoners are
not controlled b. the fear OF ordi-
nary forms OF punishment. We cannoi
take this one efficient force out o!
the hahds o: our prison authorities
without assuming a graver respon-
s!bMAty than that whica now rests
upon Us.
We recommend that your Excel.
!ency appoint q committee OF ave 70
MAKE thorough study OF the phys!-
/ cal, nervous and psycholog teal effects
J o. the several forms OF punishment
now in use, ana 70 formulate and re-
/ commend for adoption sucG rules anC
/ regulations IS IN the.r opinion shouit
govern the punishment OF al! prison
ers 6f the state. including those con
/ nned in our ia!la."