Evening journal., 1920-03-15


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Total.
II Will be seen that 80 per cent. Of a.
Of the prisoners received during the five
years were either awaiting trial or serN--
ing fine and costs. Even in 1919, with
the marked decrease caused by prohi-
bition. eighty-siX per cent. Of the pris-
oners belonged TO these two classes.
~. THE REFORMATION or
PRISON
The chief object Of a prison is no, the
safe-keeping OF prisoners or the iulic-
ton Of suffering upon them as penalty
for their wrong-doing or the produc-
ton Of revenue for the state. The most
important thing is their restoration to
good citizenship and their CONVERSION
into industrious, law-abiding memAers
of society. This Office Of the prisoi, Is
clearly recognized by your boardlm
your published rules where you a.
Rule u: The WOrkhOuse Is NOT l.
designed as a place for the punishn II
Of persons who have offended aga
the laws, but also as an instiui
which intends their reformation. 1
GERS. therefore, will not only feel L
lheir duty TO see that the rules OF I II
Workhouse are observed by the pr
oners but they must condu |
/ themselves. when off duty. as we'll
when on duty, in such a way as to il
spire sentiments Of respect for the
moral principles and character"
I know Of no prison in the Unite'
states in which the trustees have any
more difilcult situation TO meet in es'
iablishing reformatory methods than in
/ the New Castle County WOrkhouse. IN
other States are found city prisons,
! county jails, workhOuses for short term
prisoners. refOrmatOries for adult pris
oners. state prisons for convicts, and
( hospitals for drug addicts. In your
prison, you have all Of these classes
together. In many STATES there are also
separate prisons for men and women.
and separate departments for Negroes
and whites, but you have no classiiica-
iion Of these different types Of pris-
oners.
For example, in your women's depart
ment you have to keep In the same
dormitory or cell room. and in the
same work room OF living room, young
women who are simply accused Of
crime and held for trial and who may
prove to be entirely innocent, thieves
prostitutes. confidence women, an
murderesses. without any pOssibili
Of classification or privacy.
It is a universally recognized prime
In the United States that persons
cused OF crime shall be deemed inn
until proven 10 be guilty. Exc
case Of The most serious crimes
as murder. rape, and arson, az
persons can give bail and 90
they have credit. 10 is the IN
rule that prisoners awaiting tri,
not be compelled to labor again'
will. and
- u,ii,,,S - senisnce are kent ecure
same prison. It is customary to build
a separate department for those ,om-
ing trial; but in the New Castle
prisoners associate in the cell rof
Workhouse there is no prOvisio-
separating them. The two classo
the dining room and in the yard.
prisoners awaiting trial wear pris,
uniform. and the situation is such tha
it is not practicable for them to hav,
the privilege which is allowed prison
ers awaiting trial In most jails or pur
chasing food for themselves outside o
the prison.
The Workhouse has a most importan
r.formatory agency in its schools whlcl
SO far as I could learn, are very muci
superior to the average prison school
But unfortunately a school is not pro
vided for the women prisoners WHIT
might profit by it is much as the men
There has been a marked change o
public sentiment as 10 the propriety o
providing recreation in prisons. For
merly IL was felt that prisoners wer'
sent to prison TO be punished, and tina
recreation was Inconsistent with du,
: recognition Of the enOrmity OF thei
guilt; but in recent years II has com,
60 be generally recognized that rscre1'
tion is an essential part Of normal life
and that you can not make a good mar
Of bad man by making him as miser.
able as possible. It has been found alsl
3 that wholesome recreation prevents dis
order and violation Of the rul,s, pro
, notes industry and good will, and az
fecls fayorably both physical ard men
tai health Of the prisoners.
The practice Of allowing the prison
ers outdoor recreation and games in
the prison yard has had an EXCELLENT
effect: but this opportunity Is given
only once a week and is impraticable
in cold and stormy weather. IwOuld
, recommend also that indoor receation
, be provided in the form Of a rading
room, games, moving pictures. sd So
forth. These indoor recreatiOn are
provided in many prisons and the, pro-
duce the same good results as otdoor
recreation.
/ would recommend further tha the
trustees make a study Of the PLAN fol
lowed at the West Chester Comfy
+, Prison now known as the West Chster
: County Reformatory), and that hey
I consider the possibility OF lntroduiug
a limited amount Of self-governme1. I
have not been accustomed 10 suppse
that any form Of self-government Ns
practicable in dealing with short ton
! prisoners; but the system Of Sc
! government introduced into W.T.
Chester County by Mr.. Calvin Derris
! and continued by Superintendent NJ
! Clelland has worked well and h5
= proved TO be a genuine reformator
q agency.
= | wish to call your attention 10 On
= fact that prisoners awaiting trial an
: those who are committed for the frs
! time for minor offenses ought to be tn
. most accessible subjects for reforms
> tory influences. II appears to b
: anomalous that we should wait unit
|, prisoners have committed a felony an