the twin hells(两个地狱)-第42节
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reduction of crime； it should be done now。 And in any event； and whatever
may be done； certainly our management of prisons should be so modified
or changed that the practical； not the sentimental system of reform； should
be adopted。 I believe that our present system is making criminals instead
of reforming them； and I believe that it is practicable to so classify； treat；
feed； work and uniform these people； as to make better men instead of
worse men out of them。 I have profound respect for the good purposes of
the benevolently disposed men and women； and they are numerous； who
are devoting themselves to the effort of reforming criminals。 Yet their
efforts must be supplemented by a practical building up and the
development of the better instincts of the man； which cannot be done
under our present system。 The surroundings are against it。 We are
constantly developing and stimulating the very worst instincts。 I believe it
practicable to institute methods for this reform； at once creditable to the
State。〃 Who can doubt our statements on this subject when we quote such
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high authority as the above。 The last warden of this great institution comes
out and officially announces that awful fact that our present system of
prison treatment is constantly developing and stimulating the very worst
instincts。 Constantly making men worse； and when a young man enters the
prison he is morally tainted； when he goes out he is completely saturated；
with moral pollution。 After such statements from so high an authority will
the great State of Missouri； so well…known the world over for her
numerous acts of benevolence； continue to have an institution within her
borders for the complete demoralization and ruin of multitudes of her
young men。 Should a youth of Missouri； surrounded by influences and
temptations which he could not resist； once fall from a position of honor
and integrity； although it is his first violation of the law； he will be taken
into custody of the State； hurled into a pit； where for a time he will inhale
the fetid breath of wickedness； then； later on； to be released and sent out
into the free world a moral leper。
The State should not provide this machine for the moral destruction of
her unfortunate youth。 If this be the real and true condition of affairs； what
can be done to change them？ I would suggest the erection； at once； of a
reformatory。 Classify the prisoners。 Let those who are in for the first
offense be separated from those who are professional and debased
criminals。 Give these youthful offenders the benefit of schools； connected
with the reformatory。 Let them have moral instruction； and many of these
young men will be reclaimed； However well a criminal is treated； when
behind prison walls； however good the advantages granted him； all this
will avail but little； if some provision is not made to aid him when he
leaves the prison。 Many prisoners； at the time of their discharge； may be；
in heart； as pure as angels； and resolve to lead good lives； yet they are
convicts； and carry out with them the shame and disgrace of such a life。
They must live even if they are disgraced。 They must have work。 Who will
employ a convict？ Should a man； just from the prison； come to you and
frankly inform you that he was recently discharged from a felon's cell； that
he had been convicted of horse…stealing； for instance； and wanted
employment with you on the farm； how many of you； my readers； would
give him work？ You would be afraid of him。 You would decline his
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services； and who could blame you？ But the convict must live； and it is
easily seen； how； that after applying to several for work and being refused
each time on account of his past trouble； he would； after a time； become
discouraged and return to a life of a criminal。 Hunger drives him to deeds
of desperation； and more especially is this the case if he have a wife or
helpless children depending upon him。 On his discharge from the prison
the State presents him； with a shoddy suit of clothes （very cheap）； buys
him a ticket for the town from which he came； and then lets him shift for
himself。 Disgraced； penniless； friendless； helpless； how is it possible for
anyone of them ever to secure another foothold in life。
Something should be done； to help these men to secure work for a time
after their discharge from prison。 This would prevent a vast majority of
criminals from returning to the prison after their first term。 That my views
on this subject may not be considered visionary； and that I may not be
regarded as standing alone in my suggestions； I will give a portion of the
report of Rev。 J。 Gierlow； ex…chaplain of the Missouri penitentiary
〃The increase of crime is necessarily attracting the attention of all
thinking people； and there is abundant evidence that crime…causes are
increasing； for which there seems to be no adequate prevention。 It has
been said； that nearly all crime originates in the saloon； but this statement
requires discrimination。 Very few professional thieves are inebriates。 That
class of criminals are sober men； they could not ply their trade without a
clear head； nor do they go with those who drink； for they talk too much。
No； intemperance to a considerable extent； is only a secondary cause of
crime which must be reached by well…ordered； sanitary； hygienic and
educational measures。 Diseased bodies and unbalanced minds are largely
characteristic of criminals； and these are two factors in producing crime。
〃There is a numerous class in whom crime seems to be hereditary； a
taint in the blood。 In the same family there are generations of criminals。
Prison life adds another large section to the criminal class。 By the
congregate system the prison becomes a school of crime； where the young
offender is both demoralized by contact with hardened criminals； and
initiated into the mysteries of professional villainy。 It is a question whether
detention in prison； without remedial influences； is not more of a loss than
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a gain。 The critical time of a prisoner； desirous of building up a new life； is
when he crosses the threshold of the prison and goes out into the world。
He is met with distrust wherever his past is known。 He is in constant terror
of exposure if he tries to keep it secret。 And what does the State do to put
him on his feet or to give him a chance？ It gives him a few dollars to carry
him here or there； and bids him shift for himself。 And finding every
avenue of honest employment closed against him； he is driven in
desperation； however well disposed he may be； to renew his criminal
habits and associates。 What； then； are the remedies； as far as the prison
system is concerned？ Chiefly； classification。 Let not one who desires to
reform be compelled to associate with those who are almost sure to
degrade and debase him。 The neglect of discriminating classification of
offenders is a dark stain upon civilization。 Then； again； I believe it to be
the duty of the State to reinstate the penitentiary man in society。 This may
be secured by a conditional discharge； the finding of work for him； and the
obligation to report himself at stated periods to the proper authority。
〃I have regarded it as within the province of my office to thus briefly
set forth what I have gathered from experience in my intercourse with
convicts； as well as from sober conviction； after mature deliberation。 Let
the State consider and act。
TABLE SHOWING SENTENCES OF CONVICTS DURING
THE YEARS 1887 AND 1888。
Years。 Mos。 No。
1 2 1 。。。 14
