“I” one year ago began as a solicitor and now his business has so enlarged that he has taken a suite of rooms for his office.
We could easily exhaust the alphabet with such cases. There are failures, but we try to discount our disappointments when we take account of those who are “making good.” The Parole Officers have informed us that seventy-five per cent. are becoming satisfactory citizens. By far the larger part of those whom we willingly assist, in a short time are beyond our ken. They take with them our hopes and our fears—our fears, that they may again yield to the manifold temptations on every hand; our hopes, that they have learned their lesson, and with courage and by the help of divine grace are performing their duty to the community.
A Revolving Relief Fund.
A few of those to whom we render assistance return a part, or all, of the funds which we have advanced to them. We do not press them for payment. Those who are invalids or who have families to support are not expected to repay us. From many years of experience, we have learned that it is not wise indiscriminately to make grants of cash in hand. Old chums are waiting just around the corner for a treat. Temptations of all sorts are manifold. We guarantee bills for board and lodging, purchase tools and clothing, furnish transportation, and provide outfits for those who are sent to the State Sanatoriums. But there are some who should feel an obligation to return the value of the assistance rendered. Thus we hope to create a sort of revolving fund which may be used for cases of need, and when returned is ready for the next man. Many of these released men have some natural pride or self respect, and do not wish to be considered mendicants.
The American Prison Association.
On account of the epidemic of influenza so prevalent in the autumn, the meeting of the American Prison Association was called off. At a meeting of the Executive Committee held recently it was concluded to postpone till next year the sessions of this body. New York had been selected as the place, and it has been decided to meet in the same city, October 20-24, 1919.
The Agent’s Work at the Central Police Station.
One of the most important features of our relief work is under the management of our Agent, Mr. Fred J. Pooley, at the Central Station, City Hall. From the forty-two Police Stations throughout the city, there arrive almost hourly at this Central Station van loads of human freight which in some way or other must be quickly disposed of by the Committing Magistrate. Most of these are petty offenders, but also there are numerous cases of arrest on suspicion or for vagrancy, and such as these need special care in order to prevent injustice, and to be saved from criminal associations. Agent Pooley endeavors to have a brief interview with these derelicts or victims of misfortune before they are taken before the Magistrate. In ten months of last year he thus interviewed 15,933 arrested persons, and on their behalf wrote to their friends 1,937 letters. His experience for many years has taught him to distinguish the ring of the true from the sound of the false, so that when the cases come up before the Court, he is ready to interpose a word on behalf of the accused person. Often the unfortunate man or woman, boy or girl, is placed in the care of the agent, who sends them to their homes or friends, or places them in some detention home until he may verify their story or hear from their parents or relatives. No day passes with a blank record in this work of rescue.
In the Agent’s report, an abstract of which is printed in the Annual Journal of which this report forms a part, a number of instances are narrated, illustrating the importance of this service.
During the time of the closing of the saloons on account of the epidemic of influenza, the number of arrests for drunkenness and disorderly conduct greatly decreased, thus clearly demonstrating that a prohibitory law would have a decided tendency very greatly to diminish crime and disorder in this city.