APPEAL FOR A PAROLE LAW.
West Virginia Penitentiary,
Moundsville, Jan. 1, 1901.
Dear Sir: Gratified that the generous people of West Virginia have in response to my letters of appeal to them dated Jan. 20, 1899, for donations of literature enabled me to build up a library for my convict charges to 12,000 volumes of books and magazines, I desire to further trespass on their generosity by asking for your support to bring about another measure of reform, viz., a parole law.
The parole law is in force in a number of up-to-date state penitentiaries with remarkable success, bringing protection and good results to society. It saves trouble to prosecuting attorneys and criminal judges, and enables convicts to gain their liberty solely through their individual efforts. For instance, by virtue of the criminal statutes a convict may be sentenced for the minimum of one year or the maximum of five years. The criminal judge upon conviction of the prisoner on trial imposes an indefinite sentence. The convict after the expiration of one year may become eligible to parole if his record is exemplary. Two reliable citizens are required to become surety for the convict’s employment and future good conduct, then he is paroled.
Upon violation of any of the parole conditions, he is returned to prison to serve the maximum sentence. If the convict is a man of family, he is enabled to provide for them; and if he is a single man, he has a chance to become a respected member of society and no longer a menace thereto. Respectfully yours,
S. A. Hawk.