Milford chronicle., 1932-04-01
WORKHOLTSE Seen
PROPER JAIL FOR
LONG TERMERS
[Continned from FrM Paael

80 prisoners are at the New Castle
County WOrkhOuse from Kent and
Sussex counties, the report revealed.
"The plan to keep prisoners for
long years under conditions found
in county jails is a backward move
ment, condemned by the most eXpe-
rienced penOlogist", the report de-
clared.
1.-THE cost of maintenance is of less
Importance than the just and humane
treatment of human beings imprisOn-
ed by law. 1t is very doubtful wheth-
er there would be any reduction of
the per capita expense in the prOpOs-
ed change in the present system, but
there is no doubt about its evil con-
sequences to the prisoners, the re-
port emphasized.
The Rev. Mr.. NrOoman stated that
the society will oppose strenuOusly
any action to have long term pris-
oners confined in the Kent and Sus-
sex county iails. He said that War
den Elmer J. Leach, members Of-thc
Board of Trustees of the New Castle
County WOrkhouse and Mr.. Garrett
all concurred with the committee in
the objections.
The committee also reported that
the difficulty of property segregat-
ing the various classes of prisoners,
due to the fact that New Castle COun-
ty WOrkhouse must fulfill the func-
tions of both a county Jail and a
state penitentiary, is responsible for
the major problems of administra-
tiOn. The type of discipline best
adapted to the needs of the majority
is not quite strict enough for the mi
nOrity, according to the report.
Would Restore System
The committee hopes for the res
tOratiOn of the Plummer Honor Sys-
tenn, under which Warden Leach ad-
mitted IS per cent of the prisoners
could be handled wit hthe best re-
could be handled with the best re-
by the fact that some 60 per cent of
he inmates are negroes, most of
whom are from other states and
friction between them and many of |
he whites causes much trouble"
The report commended the fact
hat $50 prisoners will be housed in +
he dOrmitory being erected OIL the
PRISON farm. These men will be gov
,rncd under a system similar to the !
hummer Honor System.
The report commented on the re-
.ent improvements in the care of the !
JrisOners the increase of the guard
0 35 since the prison break last
ear and other innovations at the
The committee decided that to car +
y on the rehabilitation more con-
ributions of funds and clothing of :
II kinds are necessary, to prevent
ischarged prisoners from becoming
Yards of the public and menaces to
Ociety. ~..
"The attitude of prisoners toward
ociety is greatly influenced by the
haracter of the sentences imposed
Y the courts. They submit without
rOtest to just penalties but deeply
esent unjust severity. We believe
lws should be framed to give judges
mple opportunity to study records
nd circumstances of individual de-
and great liberty in choos-
lg the penalty that will most ade-
uatcly protect society and at the
lme time be Just to the prisoner.
Je believe in the indeterminate SEN
nee, whose termination shall not
e fixed at the time of trial but de-
ded upon by a competent court at
later date with a better knowledge
the antecedents, character and
Induct of the prisoner, the report
ates.
I'VE believe that the iudiciOus use
executive clemeney in granting
lrdons and Communication of SEN ,
noes has great value in encourage ;
e better conduct among prisoners.
should not be necessary i'll all
Uses to prove a prisoner innocent in
der to make him eligible for par
III. The human factors of the case,
it'll the conduct and the character
the prisoner deserve careful con-
deration and seme abatement of
C ruthless severity of the law in
c case of the guilty may achieve J
suits of greater value than mcr-
less demand that a prisoner must !
dure the full sentence imposed by
court.
See Treatment Needed
The committee advised that those
ilty of minor Offenses. drunken
SIS especially, should after the sec
dOffense within year be given p
indeterminate sentence and de-
med until such time as the Board {
Parole is convinced that it is safe v
release them under the supervi- | A
m of the parole officer. The re- b
rt stated that most of these cases b
: psychopathic, which demand pro- i
lged treatment. s
'The greatest need of prisoners is h
ady employment at which they can II
trained in habits of industry and W
ltribute by their labor toward Il r
)port of themselves and their fam =
IS. Idle prisoners quickly degen- o
tie and leave the prison more dan n
'ous characters than when they +,
ered". ~
The committee highly commended :"
Parole Law, as splendid piece r