64 JouKNAL OF THE MiTCHELL SociETY [January 



as possible, and in such a way that he is a better man when his 

 debt is paid than when he was convicted. 



Sixth : The attitude of the State toward the convict should 

 be corrective and not vindictive ; to uplift and not degrade 

 him. 



Seventh : To put a man in stripes often so degrades and 

 humiliates him that it is extremely hard, and sometimes im- 

 possible, for him to reform. 



Eighth : Outdoor work is much more conducive to good 

 health and cheerful dispositions than confinement in prisons 

 or factories with no outdoor exercises but what can be obtained 

 in a limited area of a penitentiary yard or court. 



Ninth : There must be an incentive before good work can 

 be expected from most convicts. 



Tenth : There is a great variation in the character and work- 

 ing ability of diiferent convicts. 



Eleventh : In many cases families were dependent upon the 

 convict before his sentence and are, during his sentence, de- 

 prived of that support. 



The first question that presents itself is whether the attitude 

 of the State toward the convict should be to impress upon 

 him that he has committed a wrong and therefore there is no 

 good in him, and that this idea must be impressed upon him 

 continually during the serving of his sentence; or whether the 

 attitude of the State shall be that the convicted man in serving 

 out his sentence is paying a just debt to the State, and that, 

 while she insists the debt shall be paid and that in paying it the 

 convict shall not forget that he is a debtor to the State, yet he 

 may be able to eliminate as far as possible the fact that crime 

 has been committed. Is it possible for the State to have this 

 latter attitude toward the convict when they compel him to 

 wear stripes — which in America universally denote the felon 

 — have their heads shaved, and always walk in lock step when 

 going from one part of the prison ground to another ? These 

 phases of a convict's life were formerly considered necessary 

 in order to prevent his escape and were also considered as part 

 of his punishment. They are degrading, and will wear out the 



