Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-04-07

These w on recent Florida trip
gave this subject serious thought
and have about agreed on a plan for
the attempted rehabilitation OF
the Offenders, which will have the
additional effect of relieving the
congestion in Federal prisons to
some extent.
1t may be that by the time this
article is published announcement
will have been made from the White
House or the Department OF Justice
Of the Inauguration of this plan.
The idea is to secure one of the
former army camps and convert 1t
into a government reservation for
the mental and moral reconstruction
Of Federal offenders who are not
hardened nor habitual criminals.
Agreement between the President
and his Attorney General has reach
ed the point, it Is understood, where
the plan is bound to go through un-
less some obstacle now unforeseen
should arise. 1t is understood that
the site Of Camp Grant. at Rock
ford, Illinois, has been chosen for
this governmental experiment in re-
deeming youthful offenders against
Federal statutes and first offenders
regardless Of age.
Old Ideas Discarded
Years ago it was found that soil
tary confinement is a barbarous
thing, often leading to mental dete-
rioration, even to insanity. In pris-
ons nowadays attention is given to
exercise and work with which to
occupy the minds of the prisoners.
Baseball and open aiar sports have
their place in the schedules of activ-
tiles, if not all, institutions OF this
kind.
In the proposed experiment at
Camp Grant, the first offenders and
young criminals will be taken a step
further, and a scientific effort made
to eradicate criminal tendencies
and make useful members of So
ciety of these men who have stray
ed from the straight and narrow
path or lost their footing at some
slippery place. -,
The main point in the system Will
be to train these men to trades, If
they have none, and perfect in their
callings those who already have a
start. 1t il planned to provide for
instruction and practice n a wide
number of vocations. Farming, 1t
is expected, will come in for a large
share of attention. The recognized
trades, however, are expected to
engage the attention OF the greatest
number OF prisoners.
Recently the land comprising
Camp Grant, at Rockford. Illinois,
was condemned. The Government
can secure possession of the a
for the purpose Of the Department
of Justice under the right of emil
nent domain.
One OF the big steps forward in
treatment Of convicted offenders n
the past few decades has been 10
get away from the old idea OF for
bidding prison walls. as well as the
old idea Of punishment by solitary
confinement. At Camp Grant 1t is
not planned to have anything like
the ordinary prison. This Will not
be entirely an innovation. For ok
ample, the workhouse where minor
Offenders convicted in Washington
police courts are sent 10 nothing
more than n great farm. Inc pris-
oners are given tasks In
the big institution which keep
Them busy and keep them out of
doors. Only those who try to escape
or continually stir up trouble among
other prisoners are Kept to them
selves. The farm is situated in Vir-
einia. several miles south of Wash
iugton on the banks of the Potomac.
Trades to Be Taught
The metal trades. horse shoeing.
carpentry, brick laying. farming
cabinet making, and every occupa-
ton for which instruction is desired
will be provided at this proposed
outdoor Prison at Camp Grant. IN
addition, the men who desire 1t VIII
receive general education 70 Mt them
TO be useful members of society n
stead of parasites. Every efort Will
be made to show these men pracu-
cally that crime, as a means OF nVe-
uhood, does not pay in dollars ana
cents. anything like the der
that honest work will produce.
Congress will have TO approve M
nlan. particularly as an outlay Oh
money will be necessary. 1t viii be
to Congress, though. that n
concentrated or the convicted
az great as the funds which Will De
REQUIRED IL the Government has 10
buiId additional Federal prisons.
administration does not look o
any strong opposition from
M Congress, as the money must De
appropriated, Or hte convicted
hreakers Of the laws enacted by
courress will have to be pardoned
in Wholesale lots there -