Our whole penal system needs changing. It is a relic of barbarism, and
stands a monument to the early savagery of the human race.
How is it possible for a man or woman to lead an upright, useful life
after they once come under the ban of the law? Society combines to
hound them down. They are forbidden to place themselves on an equality
with others by narrow, human prejudice--the "holier than thou"
attitude of that portion of the public which has not yet been "found
guilty."
We are Pharisees, all, and sit in judgment on our fellowman, because
we do not yet realize the mixture of evil and good that is in every
man--none are exempt--only some are caught and punished.
Men have come to us, desperate, despairing men, crying: "For God's
sake, what are we to do? If we get a job someone will tell our
employers we have 'done time,' and we are fired. If they find us on
the street, we're arrested. Where can we go and what can we do?"
A man may commit murder and not be a criminal, and yet a sneakthief is
always a criminal and every burglar a potential murderer.
Social conditions produce criminals. As well expect a rose to bloom in
a swamp as human nature to flower in the slums.
All our prisons are hotbeds of tuberculosis and most prison physicians
hold their positions through political pull.
In our opinion a greater distinction should be made between the
penitentiary and house of correction. Petty misdemeanants should not
be branded with the prison stigma. We also favor suspended sentence
for first offenders.
The crime and its punishment should be separated. At present the
personal equation does not enter into the case when a judge imposes
sentence. The man's environment, what leads him to break the law, and
how best to help this particular man, all are questions that should be
carefully considered before sentence is pronounced.