Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-04
JUDGE J. WILLIS MARTIN
On Aiding Convicts' Families


THE law. in administering deserved pun
i ishment to those who violate it. fire.
qurntly inf1icts undcserved suffering on those
against whom il has no grievance. the fam
lily Of the prisoner. says Judge }. Willis
Martin.
''One difficulty which confronts the Judges
in the administration Of the criminal law,
said Judge Martin, ''s that in sentencing
convicted prisoners they are frequently Cm-
barrasscd in the discharge OF this pa'ntu,
duty by the knowledge that the condemned
person is the sole support of an invalid wife.
or an aged mother. or OF numerous helpless
children. or has other relatives dependent
upon him who by his incarceration become
the victims Of poverty and deprivation.
''It has been said with truth. so deeply
inherent is 1t in this life of ours: that men
have to suffer for each others sins. so in.
evitably diffusivc is human suffering. and
that even justice makes its victims. and one
cannot conceive of any retribution which
does not spread beyond its mark in pusa-
tons of unmeritcd pain.
1T has been found difficult to secure any
sympathy for those connected with persons
convicted of crime. In many instances the
prisoners have no immediate connections,
and in others their associates are Of their
own kind--the criminally inclined. But
cases do occur where criminals have secured
and maintained the respect of the community
and the affections of those dependent upon
them until they have been detected in crime
and compelled to pay the penalty OF those
crimes.
Legislative Aid Obtained
with view Of providing for cases of
this description in manner not purtakng
of paternalism, but to relieve the methods
whereby these unfortunates were thrown
upon the community and with view OF
making an advance in social justice and
providing scientific and systematic control
Of those who become dependent, the Legisi
laturc Of 1917 passed, AN act authorizing
cities Of the first class (which is only Phila.
deIpha in Pennsylvanin) to make al appro-
priation for the support OF destitute fami :,
lies of prisoners sentenced to Imprisonment
and providing a system of control and ad-
ministration.
Another important effect OF this measure
was In the keeping together OF such fami-
lies. instead Of having them broken up and
scattered or else committed to institutions.
BY so doing the elements of family life are
maintained and whatever good influences
radiatcd from this environment are kept:
During the session of the Legislature
which passed this act considerable opposi-
ton developed. especially from certain mem
bers Of the body from the rural districts
Whether they felt that almost universal dis
trust of the families OF convicted prisoners
which I have mentioned as existing else
where in society. or whether they had some
more practical reasons for their opposition
is not Of any importance now. Finally this
opposition was overcome. ana " Is only fair
TO saw that the practical workings Of the
measure show their fears to have been un
founded.
Administering the Act
"Cny Council was authorized to desig-
nate the departrncnt of the city government
which was to have the control and disburse-
ment of such an appropriation, and did so
at an carly meeting after the act became
operative. The destitute family of any per-
SON sentenced to imprisonment may apply
for assistance to the department, which,
after investigation, has the authority to re
fuse or to allow such assistance as may be
deemed necessary.
"The Department Of Public Welfare was
selected as the agency through which the
disbursements from the fund were to bc
made. The appropriation was $4,000 10 the
Bureau of Charities and Correction for the
purpose Of the maintenance and care Of des-
titutc families of persons sentenced to i'm. +.
prisonmcnt in the City Of Philadelphia
''This department administered the fund
with success until the new charter became
effective. when the administration Of 1t was
turned over to the Department of Public
Welfare. This department investigates all
eases through it's Legal Aid Bureau and
abides by the recommendations Of that
Until such time as scientific dispo-
sitlon Of the wasted energies Of ,psrsons now