The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1921-10-17
STATE PRISON TO
Be ENLARGED AT
COST OF $4,000
Some Facts and Figures
from Sec'y Jeffrey's
Monthly Report

At the monthly meeting of the
Board of Charities and Probation
at Burlington Secy. Jeffrey spoke
on the matter of probation and
parole as follows:
There was a net increase of
nine cases last month. Each
month brings to us both in pro-
baton and parole an increased
number both from the courts and
from the prisons. The industr Il
situation is such that we may ex-
pect considerable increase during
the winter months. With our pris-
sons filled to overlooking neceS'::-
Eating an emergency appropria-
ton by the Budget Committee of
$4,000 for the purpose of provid-
ing prison facilities sufficient to
take care Of the unforeseen circum-
stances and emergencies which
have occasioned an increase of our
prison population at Windsor of
AZ and two tenths per cent from
January |. 1921 to October 1, A~-4.
Compared with the fact that
during the past ten months the
number Of cases of narole and pro-
baton have increased from 671 to
TIL making an increase of one
hundred eases creates a situation
serious in its nature and requiring
both our best thought and wisest
Judgment to the end that we may
50 administer the affairs of State
committed to our keeping as to
give to our people the best pos
sible solution of this problem. 1t
Is highly probable that the con-
gested condition of our prison has
had its influence upon the courts
and resulted in persons being
placed on probation which ordin-
arily would have been sent 10 the
prison.
Probation and parole is intended
for constructive work, for char
acter building, for reformation
and is intended to be used on first
offenders and those persons who
have violated the law where there
seems to be a reasonable and prob
able hope of benefit. To place on
probation an habitual criminal or
a mental defective can only serve
to destroy the beneficial effect of
the system and fail to afford socie-
ty that degree of protection to
which it is entitled.
While we must see that every
person committed to our care is
given his or her chance to regain
their lost place in society at the
same time we must exercise with
our kindness and sympathy that
degree Of frnness that shall
carry with it a wholesome regard
for public safety. During the past
year 80 probationers have violated
the terms of their probation and
have been promptly brought back
to the courts and committed to
the prisons on the original SEN
tence. Fifteen parolers have dis
regarded the conditions of their
paroles and have been returned to
the prisons to serve their maxi
mum sentence.
With the extremely limited
amount of money that we may use
for supervision Of these I'll Of
Tending persons under our care
and with the present condition as
it exists we may truthfully say
that it is a condition and not
theory that confronts us, for If
any considerable portion of per-
sons under probation and parole
were to be sent or returned to
the prisons hundreds of thousands
of dollars would be necessary to
house and care for them. With
our ever mounting tax rate we can
only expect an appropriation suffi-
Gent for moderate supervision and
care, but we must do all within
our means under existing condi-
tons. I may say to you that Of
the total III under our supervision
302 are parolers, Ago committed to