Part 2

One of the most important features of our relief work is under the management of our Agent, Mr. Fred J. Pooley, at the Central Station, City Hall. From the forty-two Police Stations throughout the city, there arrive almost hourly at this Central Station van loads of human freight which in some way or other must be quickly disposed of by the Committing Magistrate. Most of these are petty offenders, but also there are numerous cases of arrest on suspicion or for vagrancy, and such as these need special care in order to prevent injustice, and to be saved from criminal associations. Agent Pooley endeavors to have a brief interview with these derelicts or victims of misfortune before they are taken before the Magistrate. In ten months of last year he thus interviewed 15,933 arrested persons, and on their behalf wrote to their friends 1,937 letters. His experience for many years has taught him to distinguish the ring of the true from the sound of the false, so that when the cases come up before the Court, he is ready to interpose a word on behalf of the accused person. Often the unfortunate man or woman, boy or girl, is placed in the care of the agent, who sends them to their homes or friends, or places them in some detention home until he may verify their story or hear from their parents or relatives. No day passes with a blank record in this work of rescue.

In the Agent’s report, an abstract of which is printed in the Annual Journal of which this report forms a part, a number of instances are narrated, illustrating the importance of this service.

During the time of the closing of the saloons on account of the epidemic of influenza, the number of arrests for drunkenness and disorderly conduct greatly decreased, thus clearly demonstrating that a prohibitory law would have a decided tendency very greatly to diminish crime and disorder in this city.

LEGISLATION.

We have delayed the printing of our annual report in order to include in the JOURNAL the Report of the Commission to Investigate Prison Systems, of which the Secretary of the Society is a member. The Legislative Committee of the Society has endorsed the findings of the Commission and has urgently requested the General Assembly to take favorable action on the bills presented by the Commission. A synopsis of these bills presents the following desirable features.

1. The enlargement of the functions of the State Board of Public Charities so as to include the appointment from their number of a Committee on Delinquency with supervisory power over all prisons of the Commonwealth and with authority to condemn unsanitary conditions and provide for betterment, and also to have especial direction over the prison industries. Medical and psychiatric examination of convicts is provided with power to transfer defective criminals to the institution most suitable for their care and restoration.

2. The establishment of State Industrial Farms to which those sentenced to the county jails may be sent.

3. An Amendment to the law of 1911 which deals with the imposition of sentences by the Courts to the extent that convicted prisoners may be eligible for parole when one-third of the maximum sentence has expired.

4. Abolition of the fee system in county jails, a practice universally condemned by all who have studied the problem.

5. The removal of the Eastern Penitentiary to a farm in the eastern part of the State. This suggestion is in line with the recommendation of the Commission of 1915 of which the present Warden was a member. At that time the purchase of a farm for the use of the institution was proposed.

6. The provision that goods and articles made by the labor of prisoners shall be used whenever practicable by public institutions of the Commonwealth, thus insuring a market for such products.

The full report of the Commission is found in the present issue of the JOURNAL, pages 19-46.

THE ROLL OF MEMBERS.

During the last year we have to a considerable extent enlarged the membership of our Society. We presented the matter to a number of our citizens, many of whom had been contributors to our work for some time, who very cordially accepted membership. Seventy-five persons have been added to our membership during the year 1918, and we are deeply gratified to place on our roll the names of so many estimable citizens. The number of members at the present time, including life members, is 252.

MORTUARY NOTICES.

During the last year four of the members of the Acting Committee have been called away by death.

In January our dear friend, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Gormly, who has faithfully visited for many years the prisoners in Pittsburgh, died at an advanced age. She had been a member since 1903. She was also connected with the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, being the State Superintendent of Evangelistic Work among Prisoners.

In August, Mrs. Annie Fassitt, of Philadelphia, also of an advanced age, passed from works to rewards. She had been a member from 1896, and had given special assistance to hundreds of prisoners. She was one of the founders of the “Door of Blessing,” and for many years was prominent in the support and management of this effort for the restoration of erring sisters. She was a real “Angel of Mercy.”

John Smallzell, a member since 1905, also passed away in the month of August. His visits to Eastern Penitentiary will long be remembered. Wherever he went, he took a message of good cheer. He was most sincere and devout, and carried with him everywhere the influence of a devoted Christian life.

In April, 1919, our esteemed Vice-President Joseph C. Noblit, in the eighty-sixth year of his life, was called to his everlasting home. He was elected a member of the Society in 1899 and was made a member of the Acting Committee in 1900. In 1916 he was chosen as one of the Vice-Presidents, and on occasion presided at the meetings of the Acting Committee with dignity and a high sense of responsibility. He was a diligent attender of the meetings and his judgment on the many matters coming before the Committee was sound and discreet. He was a faithful visitor to the inmates of our prisons, earnest in the endeavor to bring to them a true gospel message and to induce them to choose the better way of living. He knew the deep principles of experimental religion, and was solicitous that all with whom he came in contact should know for themselves the consolations of a devoted Christian life. “He giveth his beloved sleep.”

On behalf of the Acting Committee,

EDWARD M. WISTAR, _President_.

ALBERT H. VOTAW, _Secretary_.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR 1918.

To Balance January 1, 1918 $1,716 94 “ Contributions 3,439 00 “ Dues from Annual Members 410 00 “ Life Membership (Edw. M. Wistar) 50 00 “ Income from Investments 2,152 60 “ Income from I. V. Williamson Charities 720 00 “ Income from Anna Blanchard Fund 220 50 “ Income from Joshua L. Baily Fund 157 62 “ Income from Henry A. Rogers Fund 25 20 “ Income from Isaac Barton (Tool Fund) 80 33 “ Interest on deposits 42 05 “ Sale of Literature 90 “ Returned by Discharged Prisoners 40 25 “ Refund Account Wardens’ Conference 129 45 --------- Total Receipts $9,184 84

PAYMENTS.

For Aid and Relief Discharged Prisoners $1,408 34 “ Journal and other Publications 650 80 “ Dues, various affiliated Associations 11 00 “ Library, Periodicals 27 35 “ Postage, Printing, Stationery 383 75 “ Office Expenses, Telephone, Incidentals 275 89 “ Traveling Expenses, Secretary and Agent 98 60 “ Rent of Office 480 00 “ Salaries of Officers 3,710 00 “ Life Membership Fee Transferred to Fiscal Agent 50 00 “ Balance, December 31, 1918 2,089 11 --------- Total Payments including balance $9,184 84

REPORT ON FUNDS HELD FOR HOME OF INDUSTRY.

Receipts on Account of Income $361 28 Payments to Home of Industry 361 28

Respectfully, JOHN WAY, _Treasurer_.

We the undersigned members of the Audit Committee, have examined the foregoing account of John Way, Treasurer, compared the payments with the vouchers, and believe the same to be correct.

We have also examined securities in the hands of our agents, The Provident Life and Trust Company of Philadelphia, and find them to agree with the list thereto attached.

Philadelphia January 1, 1919. JOHN A. DUNCAN, ISAAC P. MILLER, _Auditing Committee_.

REPORT OF GENERAL AGENT FREDERICK J. POOLEY.

During the year 1918 the Agent made daily visits to the cell-room at the Central Station at City Hall. Twenty thousand and thirty-nine men and women prisoners were detained there for preliminary trial, 15,933 of whom the Agent visited while at the Central Station and the remainder after they arrived at Moyamensing Prison.

Number visited at County Prisons 2,829 Number of notices and letters written on their behalf 1,888 Number discharged prisoners receiving financial aid 345

The opportunities for helpful service are very numerous. In a large number of cases of suspicion or of a trivial character, the Agent has been instrumental in securing the discharge of the prisoners, or in placing them under the care of the Probation Officer, thus saving their family from disgrace and the County from expense.

It might be of interest to mention a few cases of interest.

No. 1. A young man from the west, arrested as a suspicious character, had been from home nine years, and was held for a hearing. The Agent got in touch with his relatives and he was discharged and sent home.

No. 2. A young man from Pittsburgh, Pa., money all gone, while pawning his watch was arrested; the pawnbroker thought he had stolen it, and when your Agent received word from his mother that it was his own watch, he was discharged and sent home.

No. 3. Two young men from St. Louis, with no money, were held as suspicious characters in order to give the Agent a chance to get in touch with relatives. One mother came on, and the other sent ticket, and they both went home.

No. 4. A young man who had gone from town to town, ashamed to write home, until he landed in our City Hall cell. A few words from the Agent, brought tears to his eyes and he allowed a letter to be written. The magistrate discharged him and he is now at home, and he writes: “I am so glad you found me when you did, for your letter found my mother and brought her to my rescue, and now _I am free_ and expect to keep in the right path the remainder of my life.”

With the close of the year 1918, your Agent completed 20 years of service at the Philadelphia County Prison and eight years of service at the Central Police Station, City Hall, and in all these years your Agent has not lost sight of the fact that it is the kind word and a kindly grasp of the hand, at the proper moment, that may be the means of turning an unfortunate from the wrong to the right path.

Very truly, FREDERICK J. POOLEY, 1/15/19. _General Agent._

PAROLE STATISTICS--EASTERN PENITENTIARY.

The whole number of prisoners released on parole, including some who have been re-paroled, from September, 1910, to January 1, 1919 2,773

Number thus released in 1918 510 Whole number returned to the Penitentiary since September, 1910 515

Some of those paroled have died, some have been pardoned and some have received final discharge.

Number who should now be reporting 930 Of these, the number actually reporting 728 Number known to be in jail elsewhere 37 Number whose present address is unknown 165 930

Less than six per cent. of the entire number have vanished. It must not be considered that all of these have committed crime. Doubtless many of them have been in the trenches. They have broken connection with the parole officials in order to serve Uncle Sam, who has stated that he will not accept those who have been guilty of felony. From outside sources, we have known that a large number of former convicts have thus endeavored to expiate their former offenses. Much praise has been given to ex-convicts in Canada and Great Britain from which countries many were released in order to join the army or navy. In fact very few of these absconders are supposed to have again committed crime. Nearly every penal institution of the country receives notice of these decampers accompanied by their photographs, so they are easily identified. The few who again committed some crime have thus been detected and either returned whence they came or held with detainers. Probably nearly all of them desire to get entirely away from any restraint or semblance of authority. They make a grievous mistake for they are liable at any time to be apprehended and to be brought back in disgrace. They live the life of hunted animals. Never for one hour can they feel secure. We believe that a penalty should be levied upon those who abuse the privilege of parole. They have violated their word of honor, and should serve additional time.

There are some persons who will argue against the granting of parole because some eight and one-half per cent. of these obtaining this privilege have again been guilty of violations of law and order. Nearly all these violations are of the nature of misdemeanors. Comparatively few have been guilty of felonies. The problem involves a deep study of human psychology. In order to determine who shall be released, there are many elements to be considered. Mistakes are made both within and outside the prison walls. Those on the inside often give the applicant the benefit of their doubts when the logic of the case seems to urge further detention. When the man is on the outside he is often disappointed in the attitude of the community of which he really desires to become a law-abiding citizen. The members of the community assume a serious responsibility when they put stumbling-blocks in the way of the man who is endeavoring to make good. “Woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.”

But the conclusion is irresistible that an argument against release on parole, based on the fact that about eight per cent. have again become lawbreakers, is a stronger argument against release at expiration of sentence.

For a much larger percentage than eight per cent. of those who are released because their terms have expired and therefore can not longer be detained, become recidivists. Often one-half of the prisoners at a penal institution have served previously, and yet a comparatively small percentage are parole violators. In other words, the same argument which is used against release on parole will apply more strongly to any release whatever. Again, it must be remembered that the paroled man or woman is under watchful care, while the person absolutely released is subject to no restraint.

Out of every 100 persons reported January 1, 1919, as being on parole, 74 were making good. Of the remaining 26, barely two have committed felonies. This record is better than Boards in some other States have reported. Our Parole Officials are giving deep study to this subject with a view to increasing the percentage of successful effort.

A. H. V.

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.

REPORT OF COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE PENAL SYSTEMS.

_To the General Assembly_:

Your Commission duly appointed pursuant to Act of the Legislature, No. 409, 1917, “to investigate the prison systems and the organization and management of correctional institutions within this Commonwealth and elsewhere; to recommend such revision of the existing prison system within this Commonwealth, and the laws pertaining to the establishment, maintenance and regulation of State and County correctional institutions within this Commonwealth as it shall deem wise, and to report the same to the General Assembly at the session of 1919,” respectfully submits the following report of its proceedings, together with its conclusions and recommendations and proposed bills for carrying the same into effect.

The Commission was constituted as follows:

Fletcher W. Stites, Narberth, Chairman, Alfred E. Jones, Uniontown, Mrs. Martha P. Falconer, Darling P. O., Louis N. Robinson, Swarthmore, Albert H. Votaw, Philadelphia.

On November 1, 1917, the members of the Commission met in the City of Philadelphia, for the purpose of organization and assigned the work of investigation which had been committed to it to the several members thereof. On July 1, 1918, the Commission retained Dr. George W. Kirchwey, of New York City, as its counsel to direct the subsequent course of the investigation and to aid the Commission with his counsel and advice.

I.

SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION.

The Commission was fortunate in having in its personnel as thus constituted four members, including its counsel, who had through long experience and previous investigations acquired considerable information as to penal institutions and their management in this and other States. The investigation covered:--

(1) A careful study and analysis of the laws governing penal conditions and institutions in this Commonwealth;

(2) An examination of the six correctional institutions directly controlled by the State, namely:

The Eastern Penitentiary, at Philadelphia; The Western Penitentiary, at Pittsburgh; The New Central Penitentiary, at Bellefonte; The State Industrial Reformatory, at Huntingdon; The Pennsylvania Training School, at Morganza; The State Industrial Home for Women, at Muncy;

(3) A similar examination of the Glen Mills Schools--the Girls’ Department, Sleighton Farms, at Darlington, and the Boys’ Department at Glen Mills;

(4) A similar examination of the Philadelphia House of Correction and of the County Convict Prison at Holmesburg, Moyamensing Prison in Philadelphia, the Allegheny County Workhouse at Hoboken and many other county institutions;

(5) A study of the constitution, organization and functions of the State Board of Public Charities, and specifically of those of its Committee on Lunacy;

(6) A study of the powers and activities of the Prison Labor Commission instituted under the Act of June 1, 1918;

(7) A careful survey of the entire history of the penal system of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from the colonial period down to the present time, based on the historical research of Professor Harry E. Barnes of Clark University, Massachusetts;

(8) An investigation of significant correctional institutions in several other States, notably in New York, New Jersey and Ohio.

To supplement and enlarge the range of these inquiries and studies, the Commission was permitted to avail itself of the results of previous investigations conducted by two of its members; on the Employment and Compensation of Prisoners in Pennsylvania, by Professor Louis N. Robinson, as Secretary of the Penal Commission of 1913-1915, and on the county jails and workhouses, made periodically from 1914 to 1918 by Albert H. Votaw, as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Prison Society.

The Commission desires to express its sense of deep obligation to the officials and inspectors of prisons in this Commonwealth for the courtesy and hospitality extended to its members in the course of their investigations. It also acknowledges its indebtedness to the Secretary and members of the Board of Public Charities and to the Secretary of the Public Charities Association for their helpful co-operation.

The Commission has heretofore submitted to the Governor two preliminary reports, one a Special Emergency Report on Prison Labor, bearing date September 1, 1918, and a special report on the State Industrial Home for Women, under date of September 15, 1918, both of which are hereto appended.

While both these reports were called out by war emergencies, the former by the dearth of labor power to man the war industries of the Commonwealth, the latter by the need of providing a place for the detention and treatment of the large number of dissolute women convicted of offenses against Federal and State laws enacted for the protection of the soldiers in the training camps--the Commission believes that they are still pertinent and that the recommendations which they contain should form a part of any constructive scheme for the improvement of the penal system of the Commonwealth.

II.

DEVELOPMENT OF PENAL SYSTEM OF PENNSYLVANIA.

The most inspiring and significant chapter in the history of penology is not the achievement of John Howard in redeeming the common gaols of England from the degradation into which they had fallen, nor of Lord Romilly in his lifelong struggle against the barbarities of the English penal laws, but the leadership which for more than a century the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gave to the world both in prison reform and in the amelioration of the penal code. The two former were the revolt of sensitive and humane natures against hoary abuses; but the latter was all this and something more. It was a bold and imaginative reconstruction of the whole basis of penal discipline. As far back as the last quarter of the seventeenth century the Quaker colonists of Pennsylvania introduced for the first time the practice of employing imprisonment at hard labor as the ordinary method of punishing anti-social action. After the reversion of the American colonies for fifty years to the barbarous criminal jurisprudence of the mother country, Pennsylvania was the first State, the first community in the world, to break with this system and to substitute imprisonment for the various brutal and degrading types of corporal punishment. The Walnut Street Jail in Philadelphia, in 1790, was the earliest institution in America in which these more enlightened principles were put into practice. From this second beginning, for a period of forty years, Pennsylvania was elaborating and perfecting the first of the two great systems of penal administration which were destined to dominate the penology of the civilized world during the nineteenth century--the separate confinement of malefactors. Visited, admired and imitated by large numbers of eminent and enthusiastic European penologists, the Eastern Penitentiary at Cherry Hill was the pivotal point linking American and European penology for more than a generation after 1830.

Then followed that long period of inertia, of lassitude, of marking time, which is so apt to succeed to a period of ardent reforming energy and which to this very day has maintained its spell over the State and the Nation.