The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-07-27
Prisons Take the Count

The grim old prison system has taken some hard
knocks from scientists and humanltarianS IN the last
ten years. Yet it has received none so staggering as
that just delivered by the Wickersham commission
in its Report on Penal Institutions, Probation and
Parole" Others have said just harsh things, but
no such assault ever has proceeded from group
carrying the weight of authority of the national COM
mission on law observance and enforcement
The commission drew upon the best advice OF such
experts as Hastings Hart, Winthrop Lane. Herman
Adler Sanford Bates. William j. Ellis, Bernard
CIueck Lewis I,awes Walter Thayer. Frank Tannen-
baum was chiefly responsible for the form of the
report
Most of the other reports of this commission have
been confused or equivocal but that charge can not
be levied against this document. No penologist could
well for more, either as to criticism OF the old
order or constructive recommendations for the new
day Here is the indictment:
1--WE conclude that the present prison system is
antiquated and inefficient 1t does not reform the
criminal 1t fails to protect society. There is reason
to believe that it contributes to the increase of crime
by hardening the prisoner. We find our present
system of prison discipline to be traditional anti
quated unntelligent and not nfrequently cruel and
inhuman. We are convinced that new type OF
penal institution must be developed one that is new
in spirit, in method, and in objective"
Proceeding to constructive proposals, the con-
illusions of the report might well be viewed as a
magma charta of the new penoogy. Classification,
differentiation and NATURALIZATION are the corner
stones of the new system. Many men, now in prison
belong in other institutions: Tubercular, insane, per-
verts addicts feeble minded aged and feeble. The
remainder should be divided into broad groups, and
then each of these into specialized classes for ad
ninistration, discipline, education and industry.
Individualized treatment rather than mass pun
he method
Probation is the most important step yet taken in
the NATURALIZATION of treatment, and no person
should be sent within walls unless it is obvious that
he is not fit subject for probation.
Those who are sent to prisons-if we keep the old
tern1-wir be handled according to type. Few will
be kept in the old fortress type Of institution. This
means cheaper and more humane penal institutions.
The fiat time sentence, based on the archaic idea
of finding punishment to fit crime, will have to
GO The commission frankly recognizes that the in
determnate sentence is indispensable unit IN the
new reformative penoogy.
The commission very sanely holds that education
In the broadt sense is the profoundest responsibility
and opportunity of the prison" Therefore, they
recommend concentration upon every possible aspect
of human education in prison Labor for all able
bodied prisoners according to the stateuse public
works system, and wage payment for all employed
prisoners is recommended.
The commission comes out heartily for parole as
the only scientific method of releasing the prisoner.
This will require adequate number of wel-paid
and well-trained parole officers and full-me central
parole boards in each state
If the commissions recommendations are carried
into effect we ultimately shall be rid of of the
most barbarous and futile products of human per-
versity and shall be on the high road to curing a
few criminals and protecting human society from
their depredations