Graham guardian., 1922-03-28
REFORMING CRIMINALS

There is a popular impression that the inmates of jas
and prisons whole depraved class bent on crook
ed ways and that not many of them be reform
ed Many employers would be reluctant to give any kind
of position to who had been in JAIL feeling that he
had bad streak about him that would come out some day
Yet Mr.. Maude BangtOn Booth, head OF the NOln-
teers of America and authority prison work. said in
recent address that she had known personally more
than $4,000 prisoners who had finished their sentences
and come out straight men.
The greatest obstacle encountered by released prs-
who want to go straight is the difficulty they fire.
quenty encounter in obtaining work. If such man who
really wants to make good finds himself rejected again
because of his record, he forms the conviction that he
must live in any way he if society won't let him work
then he must steal ......
for position of trust until he had demonstrated a
thorough change of heart But if he has made good
cord in Jail and shown industrious disposition and
doce temper there ought to be plenty of chances for him
to make fresh start.
Many prison inmates could be reformed if during their
Jail terms they could be organized in gangs for work
farm. Jails that have land attached find that the
perience of cultivatng the soil is heaul for such
1t seems to turn.their minds away from the crook
ed path and brings them into harmony with the
world of honest endeavOr 1t teaches them of the
basic industrial arts and shows them that when they get
out they make living. They will never have any
trouble in selling good food products.
It is enough to make anyone heart sick to go through
Su districts in large cities. 1t is not strange that peo
pie get discontented in these dngy districts in which
buildings in poor repair and dirt and disorder pre-
vail And in most cities and towns there some houses
that approximate the same condition.
The living conditions prevailing in town have great
deal to do with the morals of the people Those who
side in forlOn and i'll kept tenemens get dissatisfied
with fe and rebeous against the social system If
you those people into attractive little apartments
homes and induce them to maintain that condition
you reconcile them to life. You ncte them to pull them
selves up and show ambition and check the tendency to
engage in vices which often result from the discourage
ment of discontented people. ' ."
The landlords of poorly kept homes usually say that
he are keen
up if it improved. That is true in many If
dscontented people who are sick of their unhappy
roundngs, would show responsibility for improve
men they would encourage real estate owners to keep
their property in letter repair.
1t would pay landlords to make special inducements
to such tenants An could well afford to make
discount his rent to any family that would keep their
building and grounds in attractive condition. and do
thing to beautify them Or he could make the rate high
to those who refused to cooperate in this way
Ill kept homes are blot on the nation and the com
munty. A combined effort should be made to produce
neat and cheerful conditions for the people who occupy
rented quarters. ..-