The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-03-05
PRISON REFORM in NORTH
CAROLINA

EJuuge y. w III EleSS plan 1oi PiiSo ~
form in dealing with youthful first ottend-
erS, started a discussion which has eS-
tended over the State and is being given
thoughtful consideration by the press anu
by. many citizens. i..''- Ni-,...
It will be remembered that Judge Pless'
plan, which was first proposed to the civic
clubs of Tryon, and was later endorsed by
the clubs of Hendersonville and other
towns and cities, proposes that youthfui
law breakers convicted of first ottenses
and sentenced to prison, be detained in
specially designated camps and not IN the
camps in which old and hardened crimin-.
ais are doing time. n'; -. ..@
1t is also Judge Pless' opinion that such
camps should be in charge of State officers
who are specially trained and qualified to
engage in reform work and who would
seek to stop the criminal careers of these
young first offenders, with the hope that
when they are returned to civil life it will
be with the determination to lead law abid-
ing and useful careers.
The plan proposed by Judge Pless is,a
plan which probably can be adopted by
the State with little additional cost in car
ing for prisoners. The basis of its effec-
tiYeness would be the segregation of young
first offenders in certain prisons AMI
camps. That would add nothing to the eX-
pense of the prison system. If a definite.
program of reform work was undertakes
some additional expense might be incur
red, but if done in the right way it would
certainly pay big dividends to the State iA
retaining and reforming many youngsters
who probably would otherwise sink deep
er and deeper into lives of criminal activity.
..The Times-News has not investigated
the legal and law administration and en-
foFeement details of the matter, as pro-
posed by Judge Pless. = We have heard il
suggested that the plan could be carried
out without new legislation, and we have,
also, heard expression of the opinion that
some additional legislation would be neces-
Safy. In either case, there is NO sound rea.
sob for ignoring the proposal or delaying
action beyond reasonable limit. Law
SAAAAS viz ySNAS PCOPiC -Liic
State is rapidly becoming one of North
Cardinals most widespread and serious
problems. Hundreds of boys and young
men are listed each wear as criminals, hav-
ing violated the laws of their State in one
orSmore cases. They should be and must
be punished in every case, if possible; bnt
there is no reason why the State should
take position of indifference and ,disre-
gard for the future of many youthful Grim
inals who might be reformed and return
ed to the ranks of law abiding citizens
through systematic and intelligently direct
ed efforts which would add little or moth
ing to the States bill for the cost of crime.
Judge Pless is driving in the right direc-
ton and the people of North Carolina
ought to approve and back his efforts ma
tiEthere is something to show as results ef
the adoption of broad and reasonable
prison reform program dealing with the
young criminals of the State.
Judge Felix Alley has voiced the. opin.
ion that North Cardinals juvenile Grim.
inal system is bad. The Times7News' esti
mate is that all the judges of the Stats
probably agree with Judge Alleys opinion