Probation System: Probation and suspended sentence first introduced by act of Legislature, April 2, 1906. Authorizes courts and magistrates to suspend sentence of persons convicted of criminal offenses, to release them on probation and for such time and under such conditions as the court determines instead of imposing penalty provided by the law. Reformatory for Women, N. J. State: At Clinton Farms, Hunterdon Co. Provided for by act of N. J. Legislature, 1910. Opened Jan., 1913. To which the criminal court judges may, at their discretion, send females about the age of 17, who have committed a State Prison offense. Aims to return women to a self-respecting, self-supporting life. All commitments are for an indefinite term limited only by the maximum period of imprisonment fixed by law.
Social Investigation: Investigation of social facts regarding prisoners to be sentenced and circumstances attending Crime was begun in 1908. Made part of probation office work. No sentence is now passed by Essex Co. Court judge until a written statement of all such facts has been presented. Judge no longer tries to make the punishment fit the crime but to make the punishment fit the prisoner and restore him to his normal place in society.
Probation System: See [Delinquent Children]: [Prison Reform]
Public Baths: See [Baths, Public]
Public Comfort Station: See [Comfort Station, Public]
Public Lectures: See [Lectures, Public]
Public Schools: See [Schools, Public]
Public Service Corporation of N. J.: Maintains gas, electric and railway departments. Through its subsidiary companies it furnishes gas, electric light and power, and street railway facilities to most of the people of the state.
See also [Public Service Terminal]; [Trolleys].
Public Service Terminal: Work on new Public Service Terminal, Park Pl., begun June 24, 1914. Opened for street railway operation, April 30, 1916. Cost, $5,000,000. Terminal arrangements and tunnel system are President Thomas N. McCarter's solution of Newark's traffic problem, especially at the "Four Corners". It is estimated that 400 cars, carrying in both directions 50,000 people, may pass in and out of the Terminal during one hour.