The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-05-10
ILLINOIS idea
TO OpERATEAT
JOLIET PRISON
View Penitentiary to Inaugurste
Progressive Merit System for
Convicts; Classify Prisoncrs-

Joliet, Ill, May 10.-The second
dollhouse OF the group of eight In
the new Illinois State penitentiary
at Statesville near here, in which
the business OF making men and
citizens out of conyicts." under the
illinois idea" or progressive nler-
It system. will be in operation. has
virtually been completed, ready 10
receive 500 prisoners from the old
quarters.
The progressive merit system is
an outgrowth of psychological
study of convicts conducted by
John L. whitman, superintendent
OF Illinois prisons, the late warden,
Everett J. Murphy, and staff OF
experts during the last score OF
years.
They found, according to their
explanation, that an iron hand and
mere confinement makes convicts
and no more. They also found,
they said, that a progressive scale
OF privileges and freedom within
a prison made man.
The basis of their idea is to OPP
crate such a system of merits that
a convict would be brought to a
realization of life and its hopes, al
though he happened to be behind
prison bars. 1t is the theory of the
men who are responsible, that if a
prisoner can be brought to realize
that he still is man and can re-
main a man and regain his freedom,
he will make a good prisoner while
incarcerated and a good citizen
when released.
This system being an arrange
ment that is entirely visible to the
prisoners, serves, it is explained, to
maintain discipline and promote
industry, as well as TO fit prison
ers for successful careers in after
life; and provides that they pass
through the following stages for
their preparation for freedom.
Confinement within the prison,
and subsection to all the prison
rules. with very little, if any, per-
sonal responsibility.
Increasing opportunity to merit
more confidence on the part of
prison authorities, but strict appli-
cation to industry and adherence
to prison rules.
Position of trust within the pris-
on walls.
Life in cottages outside the pris-
on walls; but under supervision OF
prison authorities.
Parole.
Freedom.
Under the plan, more Importance
is attached to character building
than to the mere serving of time
he lie
reality a preparatory school for
parole and ultimate freedom.
Among the things included in the
consideration of the board of par
dons and paroles when holding q
hearing on prisoners application
are the nature of the first charge
the previous history, the prisoner
mental attitude, and the record o.
progress made under the merit
system.
Prison Staff.
A staff, composed of the warden
his assistant, the physician, psy
chiarist, psychologist and at leas
two of the subordinate prison Off
cials who are constantly in person
al contact with the prisoners, &C
as a "go-between" for the pardon
board and prisoners. The stat
meets daily and takes first hanC
testimony as to the conduct ant
progress OF prisoners under con
sideration.
Prisoners are divided into fv'
grades, A, B. c, D and E. Upo!
commitment, each prisoner is as
signed to grade c, and is eligible
for promotion into grade B. after
period of three months. Each prls
oner must show steady progress il
grade B for three months befor'
advancement into grade A, ant
then progress must continue TO
three months before they becom
eligible for a hearing before tn.
divisions of pardons and paroles. =
Then when the full term of sen
tence is set by the parole board, i
can be reduced or heightened de
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