When consistent good behavior and earnest endeavor in prison duties indicate that the prisoner is entitled to another chance in the outside world, he may be paroled, that is to say, he may be released on certain conditions. Generally prisoners are not paroled until some person is found who will guarantee them employment. In many states the work of the parole board is ably supplemented by unofficial prisoners' aid societies which help the released man to readjust himself to a free life. After a certain period of satisfactory conduct on parole the prisoner is entitled to a full and unconditional discharge. The whole aim of the parole system is to supervise the actions of the prisoner, without adding to his irritation or humiliation, but with sufficient strictness to guard him against temptation and to replace him in prison if he proves unworthy of the trust bestowed upon him.
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
1. What is a crime?
2. In what way may bad economic conditions be connected with crime?
3. What are the social causes of crime? What are the personal causes?
4. In what way are defects of government related to crime?
5. Summarize the remedies for crime.
6. Trace the influence of Magna Charta upon our ideal of justice.
7. How does the administration of our criminal law often result in injustice?
8. Why is it necessary to reform our criminal procedure?