The Acting Committee meets monthly when reports are received from the
Visiting Committee of the Eastern State Penitentiary, the two County
Prisons, House of Correction, “Associated Committee of Women on Police
Matrons,” General Secretary and from many of the County Prisons of the
State.
It is much to be regretted that the press of our city gives so much
publicity to the time when noted criminals are discharged. The
impropriety of this is especially noticeable where the separate system
prevails, for it undoes the secrecy which is so essential to reform.
By it old crimes are recounted, and no matter how much a man desires
to reform the way is closed for his obtaining employment, and he sees
nothing else than to go back to his former criminal life. Every one
should have an opportunity to reform, and his former career should not
be published to the world. There have been cases where the press told
in advance when a certain criminal was to be released, and I have seen
crowds of men and boys waiting to see such a one come out.