PRISON THAT PARDONS ALL CONVICTS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3334, 16 August 1926, Page 2

PRISON THAT PARDONS ALL CONVICTS.

The .Joliet Penitentiary, the principal prison in Illinois, paroles, pardons. anil discharges as many Chicago prisoners as it takes in, according to a statement by Mr Garrett Chamberlain. I’rector of the Chicago Crime Commission. which is investigating the reasons for the crime wave which is giving Chicago the reputation of being tbo wickedest city in the world.

Mr Chamberlain has compiled statis--I'Vs of the Joliet prison for 1928 —(he ’atest year for which all records arc available —showing that -142 Chicago 'Ylf.iis were pan led, pardoned, or dis- ■ barged. An investigation is now proceeding hv a grand jury into the subject of why so many convicts have.been thus ■leased. Governor Small, of Illinois, "s been summoned to give evidence. Jr W hitman, the Warden of Joliet ” s ' n. li.-is testified before the grand ■ ;, v that he is warden in name only, V- ' aval authorities being tbe Illinois ’ ard of Pardons and Paroles and the •'♦ate Welfare Department. Public sentiment lias cun.e to the conclusion that much of Chicago's crime ■ duo to the ill-advsed and• sentiniend efinrts of self-chosen reformers to r ment with criminals by causing ben- release and condemning vigorons- • Mm sentences imposed as harsh and inhuman.