The Washington herald., 1922-01-08
Lewisohn on Prisons.

~ AAt ANAAoAF Ahe Warrington
The following are my views re-
garding the treatment of prisoners:
There are a few fundamental
principles on which We all must
agree, namely. that the prisoner
must not be exploited by contract
labor or in any other way. and that
there must be humane and sensible
Treatment Of the prisoner with a
view that when he goes back TO the
c. immunity he will be able TO take
care of himself and his family. and
b. likely to become a good and use
full member of society.
! would like to see the number
OF prisoners greatly reduced. J
Guild only put such people in
prison who are likely to be dan
gcrous to the community. As il is
now, most OF the prisoners are. OF
course, only temporarily confined.
and If it is claimed they are
menace to. the community. putting
them temporarily into prison does
not solve the problem. because when
they do come out they are at least
as dangerous as or more dangerous
than they were before. rs long as
We conduct prisons as most prisons
are now conducted.
We spend a tremendous amount
of money every year all n..r the
country on building new court
houses, maintenance OF courts.
Judges, attendants. criminal law
yers. district attorneys, prisons
wardens. keepers and all other enor-
nous expenses connected with this
work. l would not be astonished fl
~ amounts to at least several hun
dred millions of dollars a year. I
would like to cut this eXpause. saw.
in half. and use the money thus
saved for the prevention Of crime.
l would like TO give all the people
good educations. have PLENTY OF
fcung Mems Christian Associations.
Young Women's Christian Associa-
tens, educational alliances. plenty
OF public baths. many free concerts.
music schools. settlements. play
grounds. parks, recreation for the
people. young and old: instruction
IT home gardening. good housing
facilities and many other things
think If We do all these things we
Will reduce the number Of prisoners
greatly.
When the prisoner H. sent to
!rison he is made dependent. and.
therefore, 1t evidently becomes tho
duty Of the community to see that
he or she is properly treated and
taken care of. 1t is Tor the self
protection of the community to u.
to so arrange that when 'he prIS-
orer is discharged from prison he
VIII be able 10 take care Of himself
and his family. also that he has
been so treated that his healrh
not impaired. as otherwise he b.
Genes a danger to the community.
spreading disease. Besides the prac-
teal side Of the matter. there is,
of course, also the human side. We
are neglecting our duty if We re-
main Indifferent to these matters.
l consider il just as cruel to neglect
the proper care Of the prisoner as
vas the sinking OF the steamer
Lusitania with a number of civil
ians on board. The course which
should be pursued is. / think, evil
dent to every fairminded man who
has given this matter thorough con-
sideration As sooH as the prisoner
is committed he should be examined
! by hrst-class physician TO deter
mine whether he is feeble minded.
also his general health should be
determined and the occupation he
IS suited for. He should be put to
work promptly. preferably at out
door labor. such as farming. road
building, etc. He should receive a
fair remuneration for the work he
performs. which should go partly
toward the sustenance Of his family.
He should be altogether so treste"
that when he comes out Of prison
1t is likely that he wr1, be in good
normal condition, able to take care
of himself and become useful
member OF society.
What greater folly can there be
than TO have unhealthy cells for
these prisoners. narrow, dark and