In caring for the prisoners and juvenile offender, there are many things to be considered. There is the matter of employment which is of first consideration. He must work to live. His health, social opportunity and religious life should be considered, and in some cases, especially among the young, his education should receive careful attention. Another factor that enters into many cases is likely to be overlooked. Prisoners have often come in contact with what they call a “raw deal” from public officials. They may be mistaken in many cases, but this does not change the man’s state of mind. He may still need help and counsel when discharged or released from parole, but he will have nothing to do with the public official. Such men will often come to the organization which works through motives of friendship. It does not solve the problem to say that such a condition should not exist. It is a self-evident fact that such cases do exist. We see a condition that corresponds to this in all departments of society. It is the same principle that causes us to have different sects in religion, different lodges, clubs, etc. The members of each group think that all others ought to be satisfied with their organization and way of doing things, but men differ and express their preference in choice.
We believe that the State should bear as large a portion of the burden as possible, but we are also convinced that there must be organizations which are not handicapped by official connection with the man’s conviction and imprisonment for a certain percentage of cases that need care.
In the fourth place, there should be the volunteer agency to furnish a channel through which the citizen may wisely express his spirit of Christian helpfulness.
The world needs men and women whose harmonious development of character fits them for the best service. To permit our noblest impulses to die for lack of expression is a very serious mistake. No surer way to kill our desire to lift up the unfortunate can be devised than to turn the whole matter over to the State.
The story is told that a friend gave a young minister’s family a cow in order that the new baby might have plenty of good milk. Some time later, when the giver of the cow inquired how she was doing, the good wife said, “Nicely, but for some reason she was drying up. She said she could not understand how it was as they were careful to use only as much milk as the baby needed.” Their fatal mistake was the failure to realize the nature of the cow. So we often fall into this same mistake and find the springs of sympathy and the milk of human kindness drying up because we are saving of the supply, and do not express the natural impulses of the heart to do good and minister to those in need. * * *
In view of the evident need of such organizations as compose this Association, what should be our aim? An extended statement is not needful. It is plain, however, that this Association should attempt, so far as possible, to standardize the work, and by a comparison of results develop the most effective methods in our chosen field.
This cannot be brought about at once, as the spirit and purpose of the various organizations vary to some extent and yet progress can be made if this thought is kept in mind. The result of the questionnaire shows that with a little effort, all organizations might present a fairly accurate report of many fundamental things.
The second aim would naturally follow. A standardized work with accurate reports would enable the members of our Association to have a fuller knowledge of the results accomplished by all. This knowledge of the greatness of our work would cause every worker to have a more profound respect for his own chosen task. It would also convince all men that we do not labor in vain in our effort to save the young from the pitfalls of crime and to redeem and reclaim those whose career has thus far proven a failure.
FOOTNOTES:
[B] Address of the President of the National Prisoners’ Aid Association at New Orleans November 18, 1917.