lyo KANSAS UNIVERSITY QUARTERLY. 



(/;) Moral sense, even such as shown under the examination, either 



filial affection, sense of shame, or sense of personal loss: 



Absolutely none 1,794 or 49.3 per cent. 



Possibly some 1,112 or 30.6 ■ . 



Ordinarily sensitive 553 or 15.2 , T 



Specially sensitive 17.7 or 4.9 



Without doubt this is a better showing by far than can be had in 

 any ordinary prison. Auburn contains a different class of criminals 

 than is found at Elmira. So, also, for the older prisons of Europei 

 there are more recidivistes, or habitual criminals in these prisons. In 

 the West there appears to be fewer of the habitual class and more of 

 the accidental class iri proportion thati are found in older countries of 

 denser population. -Yet much of a helpful nature could be had by a 

 more careful study of individual characteristics' of criminals than- is at 

 present carried on. This means more time, more ielp and more 

 expense, but in the long run it would amply pay. 



An excellent phase of the Kansas system is the shortening of terms 

 on account of goqd behavior within the prison walls. It is provided 

 by statute that three days per month for the first year shall be deduct- 

 ed from the term of sentence of such prisoners as have no marks 

 against them for disobeying the rules of the prison. If the record has 

 been good at the close of the first year, six days per month shall be 

 deducted during the second and eight days per month during the third 

 if good conduct continues. These privileges apply to years or parts 

 of a year.* 



Another timely measure permits prisoners to participate in their 

 own earnings. Five per cent, of each day's labor at the rate of sev- 

 enty-five cents per day, are entered to the credit of each prisoner, f 

 If, on account of good behavior, a sentence is commuted at the end 

 of the first year, the prisoner may have the privilege of sending these 

 earnings to his family. There certainly is no reason why the prisoner 

 within the walls should not support a family, if he has one, rather than 

 allow it to be thrown upon the public. At least part of his earnings 

 should be sent home and part saved for him to the end of his term. 

 A certain per cent, of the earnings may be used by the prisoner in 

 providing himself with a few comforts. (The floor in the cell shown 

 in fig. 5 has a carpet provided in this way.) This, among other rules, 

 suggests that the condition and conduct of the prisoner, as well as the 

 crime, should determine the length of the sentence. If crime can be 

 reckoned as moral insanity, as many specialists hold, then a sentence for 

 a fixed time is similar to sending a sick man to a hospital for treatment, 



• Kansas Statutes. 6421, 1889, - — 



t Ibid. , 6439, ... . . ,: . .-...-.:..: .: _ - '' 



