REPORT ON “PREVENTATIVE AND REFORMATORY WORK,” GEORGE TORRANCE, PONTIAC, ILL., SUPERINTENDENT STATE REFORMATORY.
It was his personal views, and not those of the committee. Nearly the whole morning was taken up in its discussion. This was the first time figures were even given based on the actual investigation of the cause of crime.
On the matter of heredity and environment, he said in part: “I have no hesitation in saying that at least 85 per cent. of all men and boys who have committed crime, if taken charge of in time and subjected to proper treatment, will become good citizens.” IF physicians and professors who believe that heredity is the direct cause of crime is true, then it cannot be done, but their theory is not correct, nor