Statistics of Probation, Defectiveness, etc., in Pennsylvania Reformatory.—Greater opportunities to secure work and the increased use by the courts of the probation system, are the reasons given by the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory, at Huntingdon, Pa., for the decrease in the number of commitments to that institution during the past two years. This reformatory is designed as a place of confinement for male first offenders between fifteen and twenty-five years of age, who have been convicted of a crime punishable under existing laws in a state prison. During 1907-8 the number of commitments was 1,046, as compared with 938 for 1909-10.
Interesting figures concerning the operation of the probation system are contained in the eleventh biennial report of the reformatory. During 1909-10 there were paroled 639 inmates. Sixty-two of these, or 9 and 7-10 per cent., violated their paroles. Forty-four of these 62 were returned to the institution, so that only 16, or two and one-half per cent. of the total number are still at large as delinquents.
Figures covering the last eleven years show that a total of 2,605 were paroled during that period, of whom 349, or 13 4-10 per cent., violated their paroles. Three and six-tenths per cent. of these are still at large.
Persons paroled with the necessary promise of employment by responsible firms are allowed to go to their places of employment unattended. Of 3,369 inmates so released during the last 14 years, only six have failed to report to their employers.
The report contains a mass of figures concerning the habits and characteristics of the 938 persons committed during 1909-10. Classified as to quality of mind, 17 are found deficient, 226 only fair, and 695 good. Thirty-nine were found to be absolutely without any moral sense, such as filial affection, sense of shame, etc., two hundred and eighty-nine were given the benefit of the doubt, 619 were ordinarily sensitive and 2 were especially sensitive.
During the two years seven inmates were transferred to insane asylums.
In Massachusetts the agent of the state prison commission spent during 1910 the sum of $1,860.56 in aiding discharged prisoners. Aid was given to 163 men, 129 of whom left state prison last year. For railroad fares $352.34 was spent, for board and family stores $1,021.20, for clothing $353.31, for tools $100.21, and for spectacles, medicine, etc., $33.50.
Probation Profitable Here.—A report, prepared by Judge Collins, of the City Court, Indianapolis, Ind., shows that through the probation system started by him one year ago, the city was saved $2,663.70. The commitments to the County Jail and Workhouse numbered 1,619 in 1910, or 50 per cent less than in 1909. Out of the 1,619 commitments during the year Judge Collins estimates that 95 per cent of the victims would have served their time out in the Workhouse, making an expense on the city, besides depriving it of the fines, had it not been for the probation system. Besides saving this amount for the harboring of prisoners, over $8,000 was paid into the probation department by prisoners who were given a chance to settle the amounts in small installments.