It will be noticed that the book profits shown are often larger than the amounts turned into the city treasurer, but this is due to the fact that minor items of maintenance are charged against the book profits from one end of the year to the other. The fiscal year at the house of correction ends on Dec. 1, therefore the net book profits shown in the table above must be checked against the amounts paid to the city the year following.
“The reason that the house of correction profits are not so large in the years following 1900 is due to the fact that beginning with 1901 we started a system of paying part of the earnings to the prisoners.” said Supt. John L. McDonnell.
“This week we turn over $20,000 to the city from the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 1910. Last July, the poor commission needing funds, we were asked to turn over $5,000 from the probable profits of 1910. We did so, and that sum added to the $20,000 to be paid over this week constitutes the $25,000 profit to the city for 1910.”
An important addition to the newspaper statement is the fact that the products of the House of Correction are disposed of in the open market by the Superintendent.
The Problem of the Home for Discharged Prisoners.—The following statement is from the New Britain (Conn.) Record of February 21st:
34 West 28th Street, New York City.
February 20th, 1911.
To the Editor of “The Daily Record,”
New Britain, Conn.
Dear Sir—In the column entitled “Town Talk,” in the New Britain Record, published February 17th, there is an editorial which contrasts my opinion on the treatment of the one-time prisoner with that of Warden Garvin, of the Connecticut state prison. I should be glad if you will permit me the opportunity of answering this criticism in your columns. Warden Garvin is a friend of mine and has welcomed me several times to his prison. I have much respect for him as a prison warden and I know that he most thoroughly endorses my work. Of course it is quite possible for the best of friends to agree to differ, but I am inclined to think that the statement from Warden Garvin, which was admittedly made several years ago, might possibly be altered now that he knows more upon this question.
It must be remembered that the prison warden speaks from within the walls and that even the most capable and most experienced of them have not been out into the world with these men, watching their careers or fighting their battles. If I were but a beginner in this work with a couple of years’ experience, I might feel nervous in crossing swords in an argument with so well known a prison man, but it must be remembered that I have had sixteen years’ experience and that in that time I have undertaken the future of many thousands of men. I speak not from theory, but from practical fact.