Evening star., 1926-09-20
PROBE OF COURT PRACTICES
PLANNED IN CRIME INQUIRIES
Study of Bail and Parole Systems, Methods
Of Identifying Repeated Offenders and
Other Problems Is Proposed

| that considerable progress had been
made during recent years in the prac-
tical application of this branch OF
science The study of medical rela-
tions and particularly of psychiatry
has been recommended by Prof. Moley
in his plan of procedure.
The qualifications. methods and use
fulness Of the coroner's office may
also be included in the study to be
made. In Massachusetts, and in some
counties in New York the coroner's
office has been radically reorganiZed
as the result of similar investigations.
Plans of the New York Crime Com
mission also proposes study of the
bar organization as part of the crime
Investigations proper field.
The two contributions to the sym
postum on crime conditions which fol-
low are supplied by Alexander konta,
a member Of the New York State
Parole Board, and Robert Appleton,
chairman of the prison committee OF
the Association of Grand Jurors OF
New York County.
Mr.. Konta:
Available statistics appear to show
that the parole system has aided IN
the reduction of crime. cf those re-
leased from prison on parole. lnclud-
ing first offenders and repeaterS, or
recidivists, a small percentage only
return to prison. They stick to their
promise to try to live a decent, self
respecting life.
"Formerly released cOnvlctS Woulu
have continued on the path OF crime.
BY their present abstention from new
criminal acts they have helped to re-
duce crime In so far as the parole
system has contributed to the rehablll-
tation of these offenders, just SO Tar
has the system demonstrated It's Value
and achieved the aims of it's propo-
nentS.
"Anv increase in crime is not due 10
the failure of reform methods. such as
the parole system. The parole system
does not function except after a sen
tence has been served. and cannot be
called to account for the growing
number of youthful first offenders
THE system goes wrong only when
those who administer il go wrong.
Only conscience can prevent parole
boards or officers from going wrong.
The subornation of officials by brlbes
and promises of political preferment
is always possible and often occurs.
Why should the sins of the individual
be visited on the system? Why should
system which has shown it's value
be made the goat of abuse and at
tack?
Suggests Changes.
THE system. which is only cen
tury old, is not perfect, but 1t has
worked wonderfully well. and | would
suggest several changes in the system.
THE parole boards should not be
expected to aid or ameliorate the con-
dition of alien criminals. Aliens who
have abused the hospitality of our
country should be promptly deported
after they pay their penalty to the
State.
More than this. the naturaliZed
citizen who commits crime should
be deprived of his citizenship. To this
desirable end the States should take
concerted action to induce Congress
to enact a new law giving the courts
the right to cancel the citizenship Of
| naturalZed citizen forever.
II favor the complete segregation
of the first offender from prison com
panions more experienced in crime.
| Familiarity of the first offender with
| the repeater does not breed contempt
| but a leaning in the first offender to-
ward second offenSe.
"Still another suggestion is that a
parole board should be made totally
independent of the prison department.
The men selected for parole commits
sioners should be of the highest eff
cheney and probity, with salaries at
tached to their office sufficiently large
to prompt them to give much time to
their duties.
Urge State Supervision.
LAS the best incentive toward a
thorough realization of the ideals of
the parole system, the supervision of
all paroled prisoners should be by the
State and at the expense of the State
However well this supervision is now
being performed by private organiZa-
tions, it can be done better by the
State If the number of supervisors is
large enough and each is well paid to
do his work well.
Until records are available it will
be impossible to register 100 per cent
success for the system. TO do this
demands an elaborate follow-up sys-
TEN Of paroled convicts. AT present
convict is practically lost sight of. and
If he makes good little is heard of
him.
ITO prove the complete success of
the system. as covering the future of
all released prisoners, and the per
centage of failure would require
thorough study of the life Of every
paroled prisoner, not only during the
limited period of his parole but
| throughout his after life, even to his
death"
Appleton Finds Reform OverdOne.
Mr.. Appleton:
The punitive branch of the New
York legal system has been suffering
from an overdose of reform and leni-