The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1922-09-26
D. P. CHAPLAIN
Tells 0F / O "
MEN Arr. REMADE
Interesting Summary Is Civ.
en- o. What Is Done At
State Peniten;iary
FIGURE SHOW TOTAL OF
95 PERCENT. MAKE GOOD
School, One OF Interesting
Features, Is Attended By
$50 Inmates

Chaplain Thomas Reed OF the Obio
at Columbus rpoke to n |
large congregation at the Baptist
church Sunday evening. He had for
his subject "Remaking Men" his ad. |
dress being an Interesting resume of |
what is being done in the big pena.
at the state capital to re. |
claim and to restore to society those |
men who have gone wrong.
In the brief time given him. Chan. |
lain Reed could give his auditors but !
little more than a brief and cursory
glance at the big institution of which |
he is one of the officers. At the he. !,
ginning of his talk, Chaplain Reed
said with entire frankness there are
men in the penitentiary who never
should be released because they al.
ways will continue to be a menace tn
society. On the other hand there are
q very considerable number there
also who may be released and who
will give society a square deal and to
whom society owes square deal.
These are in very urge majority.
Because of the lack of proper state
institutions there are in the peniten.
tiary men who rightfully and proper.
ly should not be there. These, most.
ly, are mental cases. Before his ap-
rointm9nt, Chaplain Reed confessed.
he had for the penitentiary an abhor.
renee and fear. This feeling he at
tributed to that too common and gen.
eral lack of appreciation that there
are there men and numan beings.
Some have come from the ditch and
the gutter some, are of high mental
ability. -e.--..----.-,.--.--.
In former years a stale peniten-
tiary. it was admitted, was not as
pleasant place as it should have
been. Men were sent there to he
punished, and they were Many be-
came discouraged. Treatment was
rough and punishment severe. The
water cure and the paddle were used
frequently. Guards were selected
largely, it would seem, because of
their roughness and toughness and
their ability to swear. Politics also
was not without it's effect and influ.
ence.
Under the contract system then in
effect men were put to work in the
shops Frequently because they were
overworked. they would main and
injure themselves in order to get a
chance to rest
A great change has been brought
about. Conditions are different
Among the 1880 inmates, ,approxi.
mately COO are idle. Under these con-
ditioss. it is surprising that discipline
is as well maintained as it is.
The men ara employed making
shirts, overalls, underwear, brooms.
etc. Some lines of employment are
denied because of unions objections.
The legislature at its coming session.
Chaplain Reed suggested. should au-
thorize employment making it pos.
sible for the men 20 maintain and
support their families.
Of the 2690 inmates, some 600 are
employed outside. Some of these oc-
casionally escape. 1t is but natural
they do and it is expected they will
attempt it. But some of these es-
Gaping return of their own accord,
while many others are recaptured.
Commenting upon recent escapes
over the penitentiary walls, Chaplain
Reed said that in the past 10 years
but 10 men have escaped by this
route. OF these, eight were retaken.
During this period, the guards have
been off the walls at night, saving
the state approximately 100000. The
officers feel that results have justified
them.
One of the interesting features is
the penitentiary day school. It is
attended by men ranging in age from
20 to 65 years. Some have made mar
velous progress. There are now in
the school $50. In connection with
this school are supplied correspond
ence school courses. There are 500
taking these courses. Thus far, but
one man has fallen down.
A passing reference only was made
to the Bible school and religious
training and guidance given the men.
Frequently ministers come and adj
dress the prisoners. Some have been
so inapt as to speak to the men on
such themes as the Prodigal Son.
Reference was made also briefly