The Washington herald., 1921-04-21
URGES PRISON REFORM.

To the Editor. The wIShinEtob Herald:
wish to submit to you the fol-
lowing views on sane prison reform,
which will appeal to fair-minded
persons. particularly as II is for the
protection of the general community
to which the prisoner must uIti-
mately return when he is discharged
from prison.
In my opinion we must get away
from the old style of prison build
tnes and gradually replace them by
a cottage system and large farming
plant. The feeble minded and those
mentally backward should be either
sent to a different institution OF
entirely separated from the others,
and given that kind of work an.
treatment which is best suited 10
their condition.
There ought to be a central build
ing for industries, for vocational
training. and such Industrial work
as will be likely TO educate IN,
prisoners and teach them a trade,
so that they will be able to help
themselves and their families when
they leave prison.
4 wage should be paid to the
prisoner. II should be a fair wage
and must be earned by the work
done by the prisoner, and in order
that prison labor should not inter
fere with outside labor, the product
Of prison labor should be used for
the needs of the State, in its prisons
and its other institutions. and Il
there is a surplus of prison made
goods in Sne State, they can be
used in other States where they are
needed.
There should be the highest grade
of prison warden" and prison guards
as they Of necessity have consider.
able authority ard ought to be able
to use IL properly. Schools should
be established 10 educate and train
those officials. and only such prison
officials accepted as can show that
they are able properly to conduct
the work.
Prisoners should be examined
when they enter prison, as to their
mentality and other condition. II
possible the cause which led the
prisoner to commit the crime should
be determined. He should be treat
ed accordingly, and placed at that
do, and the result of such examina>
tion should otherwise be made use
Of in the treatment Of the prisoner.
The parole system should be eX-
tended. A commission fully quali-
fed for this kind of work should
be carefully selected. 1t should con-
sist Of men of the highest standing.
and appointment upon II should be
raUa rdad aS n noSitiOn nf honor
comparable to the positions Of the
judges of our courts.
The aim OF all this must be not
to pamper the criminal or create
the unhealthy atmosphere Of max
ing heroes Of the prisoners. but to
bring about natural conditions.
Prisons should be conducted in such
manner that it will make II likely
that the prisoner, when he is dis
charged. will be able to take care
Of himself and his family, and in
many cases be cured OF his criminal
tendencies; that his self-respect will
not be destroyed: that a hopeless
condition will not be created, maxi
ing the prisoner bitter against the
world, with the desire to revenge
himself upon society
He should rather be made to see
justice and fairness prscticed by
the authorities, by those in charge
OF the prisons. and by the outside
world. Thus the prisoner will not
be likely to spread disease. mental
or physical, when he comes out.
Yours very truly,
ADoLPH LEwISOHN.
Gil Broadway. New York.