“_Criminal Law Reform._”
Judge Martin Dewey Follet, of Marietta, Ohio, gave a brief synopsis of
the report (which was not read).
REPORT ON “PREVENTATIVE AND REFORMATORY WORK,” GEORGE TORRANCE,
PONTIAC, ILL., SUPERINTENDENT STATE REFORMATORY.
It was his personal views, and not those of the committee. Nearly the
whole morning was taken up in its discussion. This was the first time
figures were even given based on the actual investigation of the cause
of crime.
On the matter of heredity and environment, he said in part: “I have no
hesitation in saying that at least 85 per cent. of all men and boys
who have committed crime, if taken charge of in time and subjected
to proper treatment, will become good citizens.” IF physicians and
professors who believe that heredity is the direct cause of crime is
true, then it cannot be done, but their theory is not correct, nor