Elmira Prison System.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 June 1910, Page 4

Elmira Prison System.

The development of the reformatory is one of the most notable achievements of American penology oif late years, says Elizabeth Sloan Chesser (in the Daily Express). It . was gradually recognised' that the only way to protedb society against crime was to reform the criminals, and so prevent the manufacture oi habitual criminals to prey upon the community. Gradually whait is called the "Elmira system" was evolved, and at the present time the prison of Elmira, in the United States of America, is recognised as the model reformatrv of the world. The fundamental idea is not the infliction of punishment for crime committed, but the conversion of the prisoners into industrious and law-abiding citizens. Elmira is a school rather than a prison, as we understand the term. The system is educational; the aim and ideal a training of mind, muscles, and morals up to a certain standard. For this end ample, interesting, useful, and educational work is provided. The reformatory | contains, on a.n average, 1500 young men from 18 to 30 years_ of age. Inside the white walls which surround the, central building the workshops are occupied from early morning until evening with squads of men working earnestly at their chosen trade, while others are gardening, or farming, or attending lectures, gymnasium, or military drill. Tho reformatory is like a commune, where the blacksmith, the bricklayer, the shoemaker, ami the plit'inber are all working for the common good. Each lad has to master a trade to fit him to earn an honest living on his discharge. He enters the reformatory under the indeterminate sentence plan, which moans that lie'must remain until he is fitted by education and moral training to go back to a life of freedom in the world. When a prisoner -arrives at Elmira he is first examined by thy superintendent and doctor, and is 'then "graded" according to his physical, mental, and intellectual standard. He is made to attend certain classes at school, he is put to learn a suitable .'trade, and if he is, if physica-lly fit, recruited to the reformatory's military, corps. All the prisoners are divided into three grades, which, provides an excellent system of classification. A prisoner, on admission, outers the middle grade. With' six months' good conduct he advances to the first grade; by misconduct or lack of progress he sinks to the third grade, where he must re-main until he has served one month with good conduct and obedience to the laws. When be has served bis minimum sentence and been six months in the first grade, ho is eligible for "parole," which mearns that he may leave the prison to work at his trade outside under the guidance of a. probationary officer. The day's routine is one of interesting but fairly hard work. The prisoners work in turn at the school of letters, the military department, and the industrial school. The highest-grade prisoners u'fc the school of letters have lectures in literature, ethics, history, and political economy. They conduct classes, and they run a newspaper, which is edited and printed on the premises, and contains interesting notes of current events outside the orison, and details of concerts and lectures at Elmira. The middle-grade prisoners study languages, arithmetic, literalture, etc., and the third "rade, ■which contains the most illiterate, study under a special adaptation of kindergarten meilhnds. One of the most interesting -features of the Elmira system is the military organisation. All the able-bodied prisoners are enrolled in the regiment, which contains 1200 men, divided into lfi bat'talions. A regimental dress parade occurs every day, with the usual accompaniments of musical bands, salute of the national color, and discharge of a field-piece for evening gun. The mililnrv training ilielps to maintain discipline, and is very popular with the men. Tt. has bir'en found that discharged prisoners arc very ready Ito enlist or join vol'-'iiteer military organisations. Thii'itv-oii" trades are taught, allElmira, and each prisoner receives a thorough training in Ivis chosen tr>do. TVv aro paid in actual coMi, and all work with the knowledge hlm.f tl footer they progress inductnallv. and ip'>rnlly, ,tl>M c--.v>!. e c N*dl thev be dis-cl"ivo-.-j'l. Th"s. idleness is : n\-o"«-flihlo ; fi>,, deadlv wr-nntony of our system does not exist.