These are the months that count. This issue of the REVIEW brings notice
of many bills introduced in various states for the betterment of prison
conditions and for the welfare of the prisoner. Let prisoners’ aid
societies show during these next few months that they can work for
legislation as well as talk, co-operate with other organizations as well
as criticize, get results as well as get out annual reports. Let us not
be discouraged because it may often be said that “there is no hope of
getting a bill like that through this year.” Passing a bill is only one
of the steps in the process of educating public sentiment up to the
acceptance of a new idea. Education must begin somewhere and sometime.
So let us be active in advocating and introducing good legislation, even
though we may not get all we want in any one year.
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=MESSAGE OF THE PRISONERS’ AID SOCIETIES=
We have one of the most important messages in the field of practical
philanthropy. Americans, particularly in the eastern states, are loth to
wear their hearts upon their sleeves. So we hesitate sometimes perhaps,
to emphasize the message we have. Yet—life is short, and the field is
wide. Prisons are still far from solving the problems of the deprivation
of liberty, punishment, the protection of society, the rehabilitation of
the criminal, and the reduction of crimes.
Therefore, let us not forget the missionary nature of the prisoners’ aid
society. But, in spreading far and wide the facts regarding the prisoner
and the duty of society in his behalf, let us not fall into the error of
being fanatical because our field is one of magnitude. Accepting the
proposition that the great public wants definite and impressive
information, not simply emotional enthusiasm or tirade, let us present
honestly and vigorously conditions as they are, and also make
constructive suggestions as to their possible betterment, never
forgetting the many difficulties that prison administrators are forced
to meet which are not of their own making.
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=THE REVIEW=
This number of the REVIEW begins to illustrate the purpose of the
editors. This periodical should be a live news sheet of events and
discussions in the prison and prisoners’ aid field. So we publish this
month a noteworthy article by an Iowa warden with progressive ideas; we
print also Mr. Whitin’s conclusion about the use of prisoners in road
making and about the administrative problems raised by their use.
Several prisoners’ aid societies are described by their own
representatives. This journal’s first purpose is to be a bond of union
between these societies. Then follow a number of pages of notes on
events in the prison field. We hope the Review deserves the co-operation
of all engaged in the prison field. Paraphrasing the Old Farmer’s
Almanac: “Now is the time to subscribe!”