This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ...a danger to society, more nearly solves the problem than anything that has so far been suggested, and forces the prisoner, whether he will or not, to at least start in the right direction. One of the strongest arguments in favor of the system is the fact that they who have a desire to reform are ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ...a danger to society, more nearly solves the problem than anything that has so far been suggested, and forces the prisoner, whether he will or not, to at least start in the right direction. One of the strongest arguments in favor of the system is the fact that they who have a desire to reform are willing and anxious to avail themselves of the opportunities such a system offers, while chronic offenders are strongly opposed to it; and whatever this class is so strongly opposed to, because of its hinderance to them in their criminal occupation, is reasonably safe to adopt, as a protection to society. The difficulty of keeping these men under observation and surveillance is probably over estimated. With a proper method of identification by the Bertillon or other system, through a central bureau, and with the parole system adopted and intelligently administered by all the institutions, the chronic offender, who has done more to discourage us in our efforts, will either be driven out of his chosen criminal life, or be safely and effectively incarcerated. Viewed from the narrow standpoint of dollars and cents it will be found that fifty can be effectually supervised for what it costs to reconvict one of them. With the fact well settled in his mind that at a certain time he must be absolutely released, without conditions or restraint, his thoughts and actions are entirely different than they would be were he to know that his release depends upon himself, and that his conduct and actions must conform to decency and law in order that he regain his liberty, and without considering the advantage of the system as a disciplinary measure to the man while in prison, commends itself to the rational mind solely because it better fits him for subsequent...
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