The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-03-22
Public Support Asked
For NeuU Pardon Bill
Connecticut, Minnesota Only Two States in
Union to Demand Unanimous Vote of
Pardon Board - Boundary Lines
Hamper Job Allotments for
Jail Inmates

a life prisoner who behaved well
and did faithful work for Is years
to be eligible for parole; It does moi
mean that he would secure parole
It only means he might have O
chance, and the prospect would
seem to be q great inducement Ia
good behavior and to the recovery OF
self-control which he had lost al
the time Of his crime. A man who
goes out under parole is always un-
der supervision and may be returned
to the prison II he misbehaves in
any way. A number of states includ-
Ing Massachusetts, and Delaware al
low parole to lifers after Is years
and so does the Federal System.
Sponsor Of Bills
Parnassus on Wheels, Inc, put in
two jail bliss. B. 229 and H. B.
449, both approved by the Sheriffs
Of the state. Both have been re-
porbso out unfavorably. Therefore
explanation is required. s. b. 229
will be considered in the Senate
next Tuesday. The object of this Bill
Is to grant to the Sheriffs, with the
consent OF the courts, power to pa
role prisoners for agricultural and
other labor, Sheriff Harding oil
Hartford and Sheriff Slavln Of New
Haven are already exerting this
power under their war emergency
rights, and IN such o beneficial
manner that we hope the practice
may be continued after the emerg-
ency has ended, especially since an
other crisis may be expected at the
close Of the war. Both Sheriff Sla-
win and Sheriff Harding, with the
consent Of the courts, are betting
their men work out at distances
from the Jail, at various kinds Of la
Dor. Sheriff Harding has furnished
100000 work-hours in this manner
His men receive $l,50 q day, recover
their Self-reSpect and are In the
way Of becoming good citizens
Sheriff Slavin'S men receive q dollar
day In wages, and many of them
ere thus brought back into good So
c.cty. The other Sheriffs are adopt
ing other measures In working
their prisoners. Connecticut Is now
blessed with a group of fine re-
sourceful sheriffs, anxious to edu-
cate and retrieve their prisoners.
ParnassuS on Wheels, Inc, has or
tanned the aid of University pro-
fessors and the best possible speak,
ers including attorneys, to teach our
prisoners the meaning of our Amer
lean law and order and to inspire
their loyalty. The Federal govern
ment has proved that work with
individual prisoners, In small groups,
Is more successful than work con-
Quoted In huge institutions. We feel
that the delinquent problem can
best be handled by the continuation
Of county control and the participa-
ton of county people In redeeming
their own offenders.
Idle Energy
We much regret that H. B. 40,
the Bill which would have granted
the Sheriffs the power to transfer
prisoners across county lines, was
defeated In the House March 10Th.
This Bill ought to be revived. Dur
ing the crisis, when Hartford jail
was damned with 600 idle prisoners
q day our judges would have been
willing to place these same men, 200
at a time. in Camp across the line
in New London County, where they
could have chopped wood enough to
relieve the fuel famine this winter.
The SheriffS are capable Of fine
work If their hands are left free
from petty geographical trammels
and they can do team work, to the
benefit Of the whole state.
GENEVIVE COWLES.
p. s. Write to Judge Koskoff, seat
81 the House. The Capitol Hartford,
to support H B. $50.