Their object is “to aid discharged prisoners in such ways and by such means as will enable them to gain an honest and respectable livelihood,” and also “to adopt such measures as shall seem to be conducive to the prevention of crime.” For the present their efforts are chiefly directed to the maintenance of a temporary Industrial Home for released women prisoners. In 1910 their care extended to seventy women and eight children.
PRISON ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK.
This Association furnishes prisoners when discharged from the County Prisons with clothing if they are in need. The applicant makes personal request for help at their offices. The Association does not maintain an Agent at the County Prison with purpose of determining what clothing is necessary to be supplied. The Association solicits contributions of clothing to be given to deserving ex-prisoners. They make a specialty of caring for those who have been paroled and for those who have been on probation. Their report last year shows an income of about $20,000, of which $1,000 may have been used for clothing.
THE WOMEN’S PRISON ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK CITY.
This Society has an Agent whose sole business it is to keep in close touch with all the women who have been arrested and taken to the sixty-eight station houses in the city where women are admitted.
“The Isaac T. Hopper Home, under our care, is not a prison; those admitted are expected to give a month’s service, at the end of which time they are sent to service in private families; a few remain from choice, and to some of these low wages are paid. During the month of trial, they are not expected to go out. The atmosphere of the house is cheerful; they have good beds and good food.”
CONNECTICUT PRISON ASSOCIATION.
The suit, shoes and hat are furnished by the prison authorities. This Association furnishes under-clothing and overcoats to those discharged from the State Prison. In 1909-1910, they expended for this purpose $1,051. We believe this Association gets an appropriation from the State amounting to $2500 per annum. They assist in the “Parole Work.”
PRISON LEAGUE OF AMERICA.
This organization, under the efficient control of Maud Ballington Booth, in results attained, stands at the head of all Prisoners’ Aid Societies. To all ex-prisoners who apply they give clothing, work and good cheer. In Chicago they have at this time assumed sponsorship for nearly 300 prisoners.