Part 4

“The abnormal man is unfit for methodically disciplined effort in times of peace; in war, where the demands of discipline and the strain of systematic preparations increases, he displays invariably sooner or later a reaction against his surroundings, which manifests itself chiefly in morbid lack of discipline, disobedience, insubordination or even desertion. The moral strain and the violent manifestations of war induce in such men physical disturbances, excitative crises, hysteric and epileptic attacks and acute insanity. They lack the possibility of methodic action, the iron will to respond to the multiple demands of the instant and to the continued physical and intellectual strain.”

* * * * *

_Probation in New York State._--The increasing use of the probation idea throughout the State is shown by reports of the State Probation Commission. More than 9,000 persons are now on probation in the State, including over 2,000 children. Approximately one-half of these are located in New York City; the remainder are scattered in nearly every city and in many of the rural communities of the State. The appointment of county probation officers to have charge of the probation work in all the courts of the counties is rapidly increasing in favor. Twenty-three counties now have such officers.

The use of volunteers to assist the regularly appointed officers is still practiced in many courts. Forty-nine new volunteer officers have been commissioned during the last two months.

Probation officers were shown to have more than justified their work from a financial point of view alone. During the past year more than $77,000 was collected by probation officers throughout the State from husbands charged with non-support, and the same turned over directly to their wives and children. Ten thousand dollars was also collected for fines on the installment plan. This amount went direct to the various cities and counties employing the officers.

The Commission meets every two months in various cities of the State.

* * * * *

_Parole and Other Matters in Rhode Island._--Prisoners who have served part of their sentences at the Rhode Island penal institutions will be admitted to parole if the recommendation of the State Board of Control and Supply, made in its annual report to the General Assembly is carried out.

This recommendation, which the Board seeks to have made into law, would allow a prisoner to remain at liberty as long as he lives up to the terms of his parole. It is pointed out that other States have such laws on their statute books, and that Rhode Island, if it is to live up to modern methods in handling prisoners, must fall into line.

Another recommendation contained in the report, is that one board should be given full control over the management of the various institutions, while the sociological work, such as welfare, admission and probation of inmates, should come under another board.

One of the most important items is that connected with the operation of the new shirt contract, the returns from which show a substantial increase over the revenue obtained by the State from the old agreement.

According to the report, the change from the contract with the Sterling Manufacturing Company has been a most beneficial one.

Under that agreement the State received 30 cents per dozen for shirts, whereas under the new contract with the Crescent Garment Company, the State receives 50 cents per dozen for the same garments.

The result of this during the past year has been an increase in the total revenue derived by the State from $24,185.04, the amount received under a year’s contract with the old company, to $42,930.56, the total received during the year 1913 under the new contract.

The additional revenue to the State from this contract alone, over the year 1912, it is figured, will be sufficient to pay all salaries of the members of the Board of Control and Supply, as well as the clerical staff of the office.

* * * * *

_Chicago to Study Criminals._--Enthusiastic press notices come from Chicago about the proposed criminal laboratory.

The judges of the Municipal court have unanimously voted to establish a psychopathic laboratory for criminal study, thus, it is asserted, placing that court far in advance of any judicial body in this country.

All prisoners who go before a judge of the Municipal court and show indications of being weak mentally or who are believed to have physical defects will be sent to the new laboratory for expert examination in the hope that some way may be found to correct criminal tendencies and restore the victims to normal condition.

If possible, arrangements will be made to send a certain class of prisoners into the country, where they may breathe pure air and come in direct contact with the best there is in nature. Dr. William J. Hickson of Vineland, N. J., who has spent years in psychopathic work, including six months as an assistant in the department of neurology and psychiatry at the Royal Charity hospital, Berlin, has been selected by the judges to take charge of the Chicago laboratory at a salary of $5,000 annually. Miss Mary R. Campbell of Milwaukee was selected as an associate to Dr. Hickson after a committee of judges had made a year’s search for the best experts to be had in this country.

There is an appropriation of $8,500 by the city council available for the work.

In arguing for a psychopathic laboratory Chief Justice Harry Olson and other jurists interested in scientific treatment of criminals have said that under present conditions there was no alternative for the judges except to sentence those found guilty of transgressing the law. Time and again, it is asserted, they have been compelled to deal with prisoners who were not considered actually insane though having mental defects. There was no expert advice available and, in a way, they dealt blindly with the cases. Now it is declared it will be possible to give every such suspect--murder, pickpocket or otherwise--a scientific examination.

“It is not a theory and it is not an experiment”, said Chief Justice Olson. “It is a practical department. This work is very successful in Germany. Every day almost, subnormal boys and feeble minded tramps appear in the municipal court. All that the boys need is a chance to breathe some real air and get out among the pigs, horses and cows, where they can do chores.

“Many of those boys can be transformed into material for respectable citizens. They need assistance, and we start wrong by sending them to jail and cutting off most of the chances they ever had. The new laboratory will save persons who have something actually the matter with them. They will not be packed off to Joilet when there is a belief that their criminal tendency is caused by epilepsy or other defect.”

Coroner Hoffman several months ago established a psychopathic laboratory in connection with his office. Its mission is to ascertain causes of mysterious deaths. The Juvenile court also has a psychopathic laboratory.

* * * * *

_Five Escaping Convicts Killed._--On April 4th, a carefully planned prison delivery was frustrated at the State penitentiary in Folsom, when five convicts were shot down. Four were killed instantly and one mortally wounded by prison guards who had been stationed at vantage points where they could rake the entire corridor of the incorrigible ward with rifle fire at the least sign of a disturbance.

Only a dozen prisoners were connected with the plot out of the thousand or more convicts in the prison. Previous warning received by the prison officials that a break was to be attempted prevented what might have been a general prison delivery. The most desperate convicts in the State are confined in the Folsom prison.

Folsom, or Repressa, as it is known officially, is a prison without surrounding walls, the convicts being employed largely in the stone quarry and prison farm during the day, returning to the prison buildings at night, but always under guard.

The fact that the prison is without walls has impressed the convicts that it would be comparatively easy to escape at night and several fatal attempts have been made.

* * * * *

_Flogging Convicts._--According to the Chronicle of Charlotte, N. C.:

“The North Carolina supreme court has handed down a decision written by Chief Justice Walter Clark saying that corporal punishment by flogging is not reasonable and cannot be sustained. It is true that this decision refers to whipping convicts by guards, but it is only a little stretch to make the application cover all cases except where used by parents as a corrective method for children, and it is not too big an undertaking to even reach that form. The court now takes judicial notice when the parent becomes too severe with the child.

“Some months ago a Wake county convict was whipped by a guard, and the matter was carried into the courts. The defendant was adjudged guilty in superior court and a fine of $10 was imposed. In this case the defendant raised the point that flogging was necessary for the maintenance of discipline among the convicts. It was shown further that it has been the custom in all camps to use whipping to subdue the unruly. The case was carried to the supreme court by the defendant, but that body affirmed the decision of the lower court.

“Continuing, Judge Clark gives it as the opinion of the court that while the constitution of the State does not directly prohibit corporal punishment in prison discipline, its spirit is against the longer use of floggings for that purpose. The opinion cites the powers of the world which have abolished prison whipping, and says even Mexico by legislative enactment more than a decade ago did away with such punishment for prisoners. In conclusion, Judge Clark says, ‘we have, however, been discussing the legal rights of the prisoners and we find no authority for its longer continuance.’

“It is true that there is a general opinion among many, especially those who have to deal with convicts, that flogging is the only effective way to secure and maintain discipline, and they contend that unless proper methods are used with a certain class of prisoners a condition will soon arise in the camps which will cause a great deal of trouble. With a squad of vicious and unruly prisoners who have a resourceful leader knowing that the courts will protect them from that only dread of convict-flogging--the ingenuity of the officers will be taxed to secure proper results.

“On the other hand the decision will prevent the undue use of the whip by guards, a few of whom are only too anxious for an opportunity to administer corporal punishment to those who are helpless. While cases of the abuse of this power by the guards are very rare, heretofore the opportunity has always been present for the man who was vicious enough to use it.

“What will be the result of the decision upon the convict discipline of the future, time alone can tell.”

* * * * *

_Brick Plant at Elmira._--Bricks for use in constructing highways in New York State will be made at the Elmira State Reformatory as soon as buildings and apparatus are erected, Governor Glynn having signed the Murtaugh bill, appropriating $75,000 for this purpose. The plan is the first step in the Governor’s recommendation to the Legislature that convicts be employed in manufacturing road material.

Governor Glynn pointed out the greatest item in the construction of brick roads is the cost of vitrified brick. “If the State can secure this brick cheaply,” the Governor said, “the road problem would be solved. In a brick road costing twenty-five thousand dollars a mile, the brick itself costs twelve thousand dollars. Those who are qualified to speak inform me that by securing the vitrified brick for New York’s roads in this manner brick roads can be constructed at a cost of $15,000 a mile.

“On this basis the total cost of a mile of brick road for twenty years would be $16,000, including $15,000 for building and twenty years of maintenance at $50 a year. The total cost of macadam road for the same period is $36,000.

“An idea of the importance of the economy I propose may be gained from the fact that the total saving in the 7,300 miles of road yet to be constructed would amount to $146,000,000 in the twenty years after their completion, or more than the total cost of constructing our entire systems of highways, and I am gratified that the first decisive step toward this end has been taken in the enactment of the Murtaugh law.”

* * * * *

_Apropos of Brick Makers._--More than 150,000 concrete bricks were made by workhouse prisoners at Minneapolis during the month the new plant has been in operation. Superintendent Frank McDonald says his theory of winter labor and the utilization of the short term prisoner for skilled labor has been justified. The plant is employing 60 men and will continue to operate until May 1 when the clay brick industry will open. Whether it will be operated during the summer is not certain.

* * * * *

_Parole in Wisconsin._--Society’s benefit as the result of the adoption of the parole system for prisoners of the State penitentiary at Waupun is demonstrated in a report that has just been compiled by the state board of control which shows that less than 10 per cent. of prisoners paroled violated it. The percentage of violation among the “lifers” is even smaller.

The Wisconsin parole law has been in operation over six years. It became effective in August, 1907. Up to February 28 this year, 938 applications have been considered for parole at the State prison at Waupun. Of this number 480 were granted; 445 were denied; 8 were continued and 5 were withdrawn.

Of the 480 granted, 345 have received their final discharge, 27 were not discharged on account of not having proper employment, 46 defaulted, 10 applications did not meet with executive approval, 5 died while on parole, 2 were pardoned while on parole and 45 are now making monthly reports.

Of the 45 who defaulted 37 have been returned to prison, 7 are at large and two are in prison in other states and will be returned to Wisconsin penitentiary to serve out their terms as soon as they have completed their other sentences.

Under the Wisconsin law “lifers” are eligible for parole after they have served a certain number of years and have been on “good behavior.” In the time the law has been in effect, the applications of 34 “lifers” have been considered. Fourteen have been granted and twenty refused. Of the fourteen granted, 10 are now making monthly reports, two have died and one returned to the prison voluntarily claiming that he was not fitted for the world and that “prison is a more desirable place for me.” One violated a rule of the board of control, was returned to prison, but when it was discovered that others were probably more to blame for the technical violation than the prisoner, he was paroled. He is now making regular reports.

For the past calendar year 227 applications for parole from the prison were considered, of which 114 were granted, 108 denied, 2 withdrawn and two were continued. Of the 114 granted during the past year 66 have received their final discharge, 33 are now making monthly reports, 13 have defaulted, and 2 were not discharged on account of not having proper employment.

Of the 13 who defaulted, 11 were returned to prison and two are at large. In the six years out of the 480 paroles granted there were only 46 who defaulted. This is less than ten per cent.

“The men who are on parole draw from $20 to $35 a month and some of them more,” said President Smith.

* * * * *

_Honor Camp in Georgia._--On motion of Commissioner Winn the first honor convict camp to be established in Georgia was recently authorized by the Fulton County board of commissioners, recently. A force of negro convicts, who have long been trusties, will be put to work grading. Some of these trusties will take the place of drivers, who are now employed by the county at a cost of $4,000 per year.

Two other resolutions tending toward convict reform were adopted. One provides that the convicts shall not be worked more than ten hours a day at any time during the year, and fixes longer dinner hours than have heretofore been allowed. Another provides that the convicts shall not be forced to walk a longer distance than three-quarters of a mile to their work.

* * * * *

_Up to Father._--We copy the following story from the annual report of the Pennsylvania Prison Society.

James A. Leonard, President of the American Prison Association, relates the following story:

“A man came into my office one day, greatly excited,” said Mr. Leonard. “He appeared to be a hard-headed business man--a live wire. I asked him what I could do for him.

“‘I don’t know whether you can do anything’, he replied. ‘My boy is in the hands of the sheriff over there. My boy has been sentenced to the reformatory. But I guess you can’t do anything for him, because he’s a born criminal.’

“‘If he’s a born criminal, he’ll be the first one I ever saw’, I replied.

“Then this man went on and told me what he had done for his boy. He had bought him a pony and cart when he was little, and later he had bought him a gun and a boat, and so on, and so on, and before he got through I marveled that the boy had not been sentenced to the reformatory much sooner.

“‘You have bought all these things for your boy’, I said, ‘but have you ever been a father to him?’ The man looked surprised. ‘I mean, have you ever been a companion to him? Have you ever interested yourself into the things he was interested in?’ He had not done so because he was a busy business man.

“One year later when that boy was paroled he shook hands with me and said: ‘Mr. Leonard, there is one thing above all others that I want to thank you for, and that is for getting me acquainted with my dad.’

“I wasn’t worried much about that boy after that because he had reached the stage where he called his father ‘my dad.’”

* * * * *

_Prison Earnings in New York._--The convict population of the State of New York at present is 4,604, an increase of 88 over a year ago. The highest number confined at any one time during the year was 4,838. The total cost of maintenance during the year was $814,583. Sing Sing earned $73,371.50, a decrease of $3,513 over the previous year; Auburn earned $29,167.45, decrease of $39,954; Clinton earned $36,963.72, decrease of $7,811.

* * * * *

_The Views of Boston’s District Attorney._

To the Editor of the Boston Post:

Sir--The morning Post states that in a speech last night I said that in 10 years there would be no prisons. This is far from what I said and I would ask you to make due correction.

With the fullest hope and confidence in human nature I must confess that I have not as yet reached the point where I could express the belief that Utopia would be realized within the next decade. What I did say was that within that time courts would no longer pronounce definite sentence upon those found guilty of crime, but that the sentence or length of time during which a guilty man should be deprived of his liberty for the safety of the community would be determined by some competent board of men appointed for that purpose, with all the power and dignity of a court, who, after the fullest investigation, would determine where the person should be sent and for what length of time, subject to modification thereafter.

I said that the distinction between felony and misdemeanor would be abolished and the State Prison and House of Correction would be abolished under those names and that all institutions would be known as Houses of Reformation only, the added sting and stigma of felony and State Prison being removed.

I do feel that the prison of the future will differ from the prison of to-day as much as ours does from the dungeons of yesterday, even as the thought of punishment of a guilty man is disappearing from the theory of advanced thinkers in criminology and in its place reformation and development of the convicted man is becoming the principal consideration.

Yours truly, J. C. Pelletier, District Attorney.

Boston, December 18, 1913.

* * * * *

_Not Stripes, But Uniforms._--The fourth State Legislature of Oklahoma provides modestly colored jeans--gray jeans for the regulars, brown jeans for trusties in the State Penitentiary. The “ring-tailed” stripes are still found in the store rooms of the penitentiary, but they are used only as a means of punishment, to be worn only by prisoners who have escaped and been returned after capture. Suits of novelty goods, various colors, but neat, though cheap, business cuts, are provided when prisoners have served their terms.

* * * * *

_“Dope” in Magazines._--A prisoner recently released from Stillwater Prison, Minnesota, has been arrested by post office inspectors in New York.

According to the inspectors, Chessman has been sending sulphate of morphine to prisoners in the Stillwater Prison for several weeks, inclosed in magazines. Single copies of a current periodical often contained as much as 30 grains of the “dope”, it is alleged, and the inmates professed an amazing fondness for reading.

The warden became suspicious when magazines not ordinarily read by criminals began to pour in by every mail, and directed that some of the packages be opened. It was found that the pages were literally covered with “dope”, which had been carefully distributed between the leaves. One of the magazines was forwarded to the government chemist for analysis and it was discovered that 28 grains of sulphate of morphine had been secreted in the package.

* * * * *

_Prisoners’ Wages in Iowa._--Under date of February 6th the Des Moines Register states that the method of paying prisoners for their work within the State Prison walls has been tried long enough to prove the venture successful. The corps of salary-earning convicts are those employed on the new cell house, including electricians, wirers, plumbers, plasterers, steam fitters, mechanics and iron workers. Just now the working force is somewhat reduced, though the weekly payroll amounts to $69.

An effort is on foot to secure a wage allowance for the men employed upon the construction of a new reservoir, to be followed by compensation to prisoners for all work on strictly prison industries. As an ultimate possibility in this direction is the plan to put all prisoners upon a salary, charging them for their care and living, with opportunity given for earnings.

At the same time, throughout the city of Fort Madison is being circulated a petition to Governor Clarke to halt the employment of prisoners to do laboring work about the city. Such work as papering, plastering, painting and carpet cleaning is specifically mentioned. The petition has nearly a thousand signers.

* * * * *

_At Duluth, Minnesota._--Although the joint city and county work farm had been in operation little over a month by February 9th, prisoners sent there have already cleared the underbrush from nearly 20 acres. It is expected by spring over 200 acres will be cleared. During the summer the men will prepare the land already cleared so that it may be plowed in the spring of 1915.

According to Superintendent Fred Ward of the farm, all men now at the institution are apparently satisfied with conditions and appear willing to work. A few have been encountered, he says, who at first refused to do their share.