Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-06
WARDEN TELLS OF
PRISON CONDITIONS
Asks State Federation Of Won
ems Clubs to Help In Work.
house Reforms.

Special Correspondence Every Evening.
Rehoboth Beach. July 6.-Warden
NJ. s. Plummer OF the workhouse nj
Wilmington discussed prison condi-
tiops at the meeting Of the state Fed
Grafton OF Womcn's Clubs, which
opened here today.
He explained the honor system al
the workhouse and urged separate
prison for women.
IL inaugurated the honor system. or
what may be termed lf-government,
among the prisoners when l took
charge ~ this institution on May l,
1890" he said. Its inception was
based ON n desire for increased OPP
portunltics TO lend n helping hand 10
the driftwood OF humanity. also TO
bring about friendship and fraternity
among the inmates. a hope, true nm
petus. a sufficient incentive To ad-
lust themselves in the right way
FOR future freedom; n vehicle or resu-
tuition. not n relinauishing OF consu-
tuted authority but an aid TO make II
more effective one OF its main pur-
poses is 10 teach the inmates TO realize
human responsiveness OF better days
To- come and TO realize to the fullest
extent the possibility OF accomplishing
something by good behavior both in
and out OF prison. II gives construc
tive treatment 20 the offender against
society and teaching him To earn the
remission az the penalty 10y future good
conduct: Il is focusing. Crystalizins
effort towards those that err.
1t il my opinion. based on per
sonal observation. that the old system
OF penology is a crime factory and
makes men more intent upon break
Inc the law and makes them unfit for
rc-cntry into society, and therefore
forces them to. continue their evil ca
reers Establish the Golden Rule in
prisons (Which IL the very foundation
rock of our honor syStem) and the
prisoners will do their own reforming
our honor system teaches that If We
dig deep enough beneath the stain and
dross Of crime we will find some gold
worth redceming.
Il beg to call your attention to tho
necessity for parole law for Tho
state of Delaware. such rs was pre-
scented tn our last Legislature nv th'
Prisoners Aid society. The hoard
should be appointed by the Judiciary
consisting of one member from rura
New castle county. one from Whining
ton. one from Kent and one from Sus
scN.
"A parole law has the two-foid pnr
pose 81 ever keeping IN mind the pro
lection ~ societv and the reform o'
the evil dner. II should vest In the
Board ~ Parole the benign purpose ~
relieving the criminal from the rigors
of the criminal law whenever the good
81 society and tho welfare OF the
criminal demands such action ndet
its pro, isiuus merry, proprietN az a
particular case. the prosecution. Kind
, and extent Of punishment. the condi
:, ton. history and future of the convict
ana the SECURITY OF the community. all
he.ome material. vital and capable OF
weight ia each individual case before
I the board ~ parole.
'rherv - tina paid and voluntary
work done for the spiritual and mora!
urirt ~ the mon and women inrar
Z cerated hsre. All denominations Mold
their services here AZ stated intervals
! We feel that 20 have accomplished won
derSui results among the inmates alous
spiritual lines with sincerity and .
clear conscience and with an effort q
fulhu a public duty--a duty we owe {
humanity and hrotherly uplift