“The Sociological Side of Prison Reform.”
He made special reference to the Bertillon system of classifying types of criminals. This Government has already established schools of sociology and hygiene at several different penal institutions. As chairman of a committee appointed by the last Congress to inquire into the advisability of establishing laboratories for the scientific study of prisoners, made a report.
SCIENTIFIC CRIMINAL STUDY.
In it was recommended the experimental establishment of laboratories in selected institutions for the study of the physical, psychological, and social facts of criminal life and nature, such laboratories to be in charge of experts under the control of superintendents. What is proposed for prisons and reformatories is a laboratory conducted by a specialist for the scientific study of prison populations, with special reference at first to obvious practical needs of the administration in the discipline and training of prisoners.
The studies would be (1st) Physical: the anatomy and physiology of prisoners, measurements of sensations, and other mental manipulations, and the heredity of the prisoners; (2nd) Psychological: the mental, emotional, and voluntary life; the tastes, ideas, knowledge, motions, etc.; (3rd) Social: the domestic, industrial, neighborhood, legal, political, and religious environment and culture.
The committee was continued—directed to gather more information for next year; also urged to interest the Attorney General of the United States with the view to establish a laboratory by the National Government at the Government prison.
TUESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 24TH.
“Criminal Law Reform.”
Judge Martin Dewey Follet, of Marietta, Ohio, gave a brief synopsis of the report (which was not read).