On the first page of this issue of The Mirror will be found a brief review
of the volume entitled “Convict Life at the Minnesota State Prison.” Until
recently the publication of matter of that character has been tabooed by
managers of penal institutions. However, there is no harm in such
publicity. Conditions are constantly improving and penologists recognize
that fact. Corporal punishment and the lockstep have been abolished in
many prisons.
The problem confronting wardens is not “how to punish prisoners,” but
rather how to reform them and restore them to society as good citizens.
The Minnesota State Prison is referred to as a model, and, while the
buildings now occupied are old and antiquated, unfit for prison purposes
and manufacturing, nevertheless the morale of the inmates is of a high
grade and credit is due to those who have brought this condition about. As
the author, Mr. W. C. Heilbron, truly states, the first two months of
incarceration for the average prisoners provide punishment enough to last
a lifetime. Of course this does not apply to all inmates, but it is
certainly true of many of them.
It is neither the purpose nor the province of The Mirror to laud any one
in particular regarding the management of the Minnesota State Prison. The
facts speak more eloquently than all the eulogies that could be uttered.
The Mirror, however, desires to direct the attention of the public to the
fact that no harm is done by the publication of such a volume as “Convict
Life at the Minnesota State Prison,” and much good may result from its
compilation and circulation.
There have been prisons and dungeons since the earliest days of recorded
history and no doubt such institutions will be in vogue until the end of
the universe. Great advancement has been made in the treatment of those
who have been so unfortunate as to be segregated from society in general
and the publication of facts instead of fancy will be the means of
clarifying the atmosphere considerably as to what is just and humane and
of the greatest earthly benefit to men and women who have, either through
ignorance, accident, design or viciousness, fallen from grace and become
the wards of the commonwealth in a prison or penitentiary.
To the end that the public may be fully and reliably informed of the facts
in relation to prison life the volume mentioned must prove to be of great
value to all those who peruse its pages with an open mind and a generous
heart—(Prison Mirror, July 22, 1909.)
[decoration, twine ball]
[Minnesota State Fair advertisement]
[Minnesota’s New $2,250,000 State Prison Now in Course of Construction]