VISIT TO THE PRISON.

chaplain trembles at the very magnitude of his work. He looks up at the ideal man, Christ Jesus the Righteous, then down at these wrecks of humanity. The bridging of the awful gulf that separates the two-there lies

the burden.

VISIT TO THE PRISON.

DR. SMITH, St. Paul: I don't know whether Warden Wolfer intends to make an address at this point in the meeting, but I think it will be a great mistake for Warden Wolfer not to do so before we go out and visit the institution, and I therefore move that he be invited at this point to make an address describing the prison. I think the best warden of the United States ought to be honored in this way, and we ought to be helped by what he has

to say.

PRESIDENT MERRILL: That will be taken as the sense of the conference, and we invite Warden Wolfer to give us an address at this time, and I have pleasure in turning the conference over to him. It will be under his direction the rest of this afternoon.

WARDEN WOLFER: Ladies and Gentlemen: We must have plenty of time to go over the institution and see it thoroughly, and in order to do that, and get back in time to meet the requirements of the program this evening, I must not occupy much time. What few words I have to say I desire to use in explaining some of the features that I hope you will be able to see while passing through the institution.

To commence with, I will explain that the system of labor in vogue here is what is known as the "State Account" and the "Piece Price" system. We have three industries, one of which is conducted under the "Piece Price" system in the manufacture of boots and shoes, in which the state receives a stated amount per piece for all of the boots and shoes manufactured. The contractor or person that contracts to take the product of this factory furnishes the raw material, equipment and machinery to carry on the factory, and accepts the finished product at so much per piece, classified according to the work produced. The other two industries are conducted under the "State Account" system, under which we manufacture cordage and binding twine and high school scientific apparatus. We employ about one-half of the population of the prison on the two last named industries, the balance are employed on prison duties and in the manufacture of boots and shoes. A word of explanation as to the "State Account" system. Under it the state assumes the entire responsibility and management of the industries. Its officers purchase the raw material, superintend its manufacture, and dispose of the manufactured articles in the open market, the state providing the necessary funds to establish the industries and carry them on. Under this system we manufacture binding twine and cordage and high school scientific apparatus. I desire to call your special attention to our infant industry, the manufacture of high school scientific apparatus. Although young in age, it is developing into a very satisfactory industry from a financial standpoint. At the same time it is furnishing a diversified manual training for the prisoners that is very satisfactory, and it does not compete with other manufacturers in the state, as nothing of the kind exists in the Northwest. It provides diversified mechanical training of a high order, which we find very useful for our young and more intelligent prisoners.

The manufacture of binding twine is not so good as regards its effect upon the prisoner, for the reason that it does not provide mechanical training that will be specially useful to him after his discharge from prison, although this industry has been a financial success both to the consumer and the taxpayers of the state, and has enabled the institution to become more than self-sustaining during the past two years. We manufacture about five million (5,000,000) pounds of twine per annum. The manila and sisal fibre used in its manufacture is shipped direct, the former from the Philippine

Islands and the latter from Yucatan, Mexico. We purchase these fibres through brokers in New York and Boston. The twine is sold in the open market. Our present reorganized industrial arrangement has proven very satisfactorily, financially and otherwise, and our earnings during the past two years has been $43,647.40 more than our total expenditures.

The party then visited in succession the five-story cellhouse, the prison library and Mirror office, the building containing the "solitary" (where all punishments are inflicted) and the deputy warden's office. The hospital was also visited, which at the time contained four inmates.

The party then inspected the shoe shops, the central power house (where power is furnished for the diffèrent departments of the prison) and the shop where high school apparatus is manufactured. The twine shop was next visited. All steps of the process of twine-making, from the raw material to the finished product, were examined and carefully explained by the warden and assistants. The visitors then inspected different squads of convicts who were quitting work and marching into the cellhouse.

It was then explained that on first admission prisoners are assigned to the second grade and provided with a checked or plaid suit. Under favorable conditions, or the earning of fifty out of a possible fifty-four credit marks, extending over a period of six months, nine marks per month, they may be advanced from second to first grade; but if more than two credit marks are lost in one month they fall to the next grade below. First grade prisoners are dressed in gray and third grade in stripes. It was further explained that prisoners sentenced on the reformatory plan were eligible for parole after being six months in the first grade, and that prisoners under a fixed sentence and previously unconvicted of a felony might be paroled after serving half the sentence (good time not included) and being in the first grade at least six months preceding application for parole. It was also explained that, where a prisoner broke the rules and was punished in the "solitary," he was lowered to third grade, whatever his previous grade standing. Solitary confinement, reduced diet and deprivation of privileges are the only punishments.

DR. FOLWELL, State University: I have a motion to offer on behalf of the conference, which I am sure we will heartily agree to. It is this, that the thanks of the conference are due and tendered to Warden Wolfer and his as sociates for the hospitality they have shown us in the use of the room for the visit to the prison, and for this splendid repast which we have just enjoyed.

The resolution was seconded and carried with great applause.

PRESIDENT MERRILL: I now take pleasure in turning the meeting over to Warden Wolfer, who will have charge of the exercises the rest of the evening.

THE BERTILLON SYSTEM OF IDENTIFYING CRIMINALS.

BY WARDEN HENRY WOLFER.

WARDEN WOLFER: Ladies and Gentlemen: I have been requested to make a few remarks explanatory of the Bertillon system of measurement for the registration and identification of criminals. Most of you, doubtless, have heard something of the system, and I assume some of you understand it quite well, but in order that it may be better understood by those having only a slight knowledge of the principles involved, I will try to explain it briefly, and give something of the history connected with its adoption in this country. The metric system of measurements is used. The system is of French origin, and has been in operation in France a good many years, and has been thor oughy tested in that country, and is pronounced most thorough and practical in its operation. The central bureau of registration is located in Paris, under the immediate supervision of its originator, M. Bertillon. It has been so successfully operated throughout France and the central bureau so perfectly equipped that a criminal arrested anywhere ir. France may be identified with

in a few hours after his apprehension. The system provides for twelve measurements (the bone measurements, so called) taken under this system least liable to natural change or the least susceptible to change by manipula tion. The instruments used for taking these measurements are manufactured in France, and are made with great care and accuracy. The most reliable measurements (the bone measurements, so called) taken under this system are the head (length and width), left forearm, left middle and little finger and left foot. The ear is also one of the most reliable measurements. These calipers which I hold in my hand are used for taking the head measurements, length and width, and are the two principal measurements. This instrument is used for taking the measurements of the left forearm, left middle and little finger and left foot, and this to measure the length and width of the ear. This is used to measure and locate the scars, moles and marks upon the body, all of which are fixed from two locating points. Scales are also provided for measuring the height, outstretched arms and length of trunk. These measurements are recorded on this card. The measurements above and below the photographs, front face and profile, as you notice, and the description of marks, scars or moles on the body, are recorded on the back part of the card. These cards are to be filed in the central bureau. They are classified according to the measurements, starting, for instance, with the length and width of the head, and reclassified and subdivided along down the line as the other measurements are taken, in order, so that it makes it possible to file them in a cabinet something after the principles involved in classifying the words in the dictionary by letters. It is claimed, and has been fully proven, that no two persons out of fifty thousand will give exactly the same results in all of these measurements. Once recorded in the central bureau, if he is afterwards arrested for crime again and the measurements taken, they return to the central bureau, or clearing house, and hence he is reported back to the central bureau every time he is arrested for crime, no matter where in the United States. The principles involved in classifying these records at the central bureau are simple, and divisions and subdivisions are made quite similar to letters in the English alphabet.

The Bertillon system was introduced into this country about twelve years ago, and our experience with it has been most gratifying. It is modern, upto-date, and has been fully tested by some of the most enlightened European nations with perfect success. It has not as yet become complete in its operation in the United States, and cannot become so until it is put in general use and a central bureau or clearing house established into and through which all measurements shall pass for filing and registration and to which all penal institutions and police departments using the system may have free access. In our penal system we have made some progress, but we lack in uniformity of administration, and we have no such definite policy in our penal It is claimed that there administration as may be found in England. has been a marked diminution of crime in Great Britain of late years, owing to superior administration. It is true we have worked out some important problems in penal management which are yielding good results so far as we are able to determine without better statistical facilities, and they promise well. I refer to the Elmira system, now in successful operation in many of our state reformatories, and in a somewhat modified form in our state prisons, which includes the indeterminate sentence; but what substantial progress can be made without an efficient system of criminal identification? The purpose is to accomplish two objects, namely, the reformation of the criminal and the protection of society. It proposes, first, to reform the prisoner and return him to the responsibilities of citizenship, and, second, if he cannot be reformed, to hold the prisoner as a permanent ward of the state; but we cannot do either without the Bertillon system to assist in weeding out the tares from the wheat. However wisely our prisons are run, we cannot make certain of our position unless we can demonstrate by reliable statistics what we are doing. We have no right to expect the public to have faith in the good results of our work if we cannot demonstrate them by reliable figures. But the Bertillon system is of still greater importance as a preventive and repressive measure. The average criminal is possessed of a migratory nature, and when released from prison he may drop out of sight. He may go to some other part of the same state, or into another state, where he may commit crime with

little or no danger of his past criminal record following him. If he were certain in advance that his sins would surely find him out, and that his rearrest for crime would certainly discover his previous criminal history, he would hesitate before committing another crime and thereby subjecting himself to more severe punishment.

We also need the Bertillon system to aid us in determining those who are and those who are not fit subjects for parole from our prisons by reason of the varying degrees of criminality, which may be easily determined by the history of previous crimes or convictions. We also need it to aid us in appre hending our parole breakers. The criminal, as has been stated, is a migrating animal. There is nothing more natural in his perverted nature than the easy gait he acquires in moving from one section of the country to another. His dangerous qualities as a criminal are proportionate to his ability to successfully conceal his identity. A fair illustration of the migratory habits of criminals may be found in the large number of old offenders that may be found in every prison posing as first offenders. They go from reformatory to prison, and from prison to reformatory, ever on the alert to get all the benefits and escape all the disagreeable duties. If the harm ended here it would not be so bad, but it does not. This clever rascal loses no opportunity to whisper into the ear of the novice his varied experiences in "beating the game," as he terms it, and informs him how he too may succeed if he will follow his advice. The state owes it to society and to the discharged prisoner to establish such preventive and repressive measures as will discourage crime. First, by adopting such vigorous treatment as will prevent the ex-convict from falling easily again into a life of crime; and, secondly, by having such a perfect system of identification as will certainly reveal his criminal identity if he is ever arrested for another crime, with these certainties so manifest that all wrongdoers must see it. Many more of our young men who go out of prison with good intentions could be saved if more vigorous encouragement for right living were extended; proof afforded that it is at least as easy to live honestly as dishonestly, and that there can be nothing but sure disaster and suffering in a life of crime. The criminal thinks, feels and acts from motives of self-interest, as most of us do, but he has false conceptions of life. He reasons from false premises, rarely conscious of the fact that he is deceiving himself. The causes are not easy to determine, but a good deal is doubtless due to our social imperfections. How much is due to heredity or to environment is a difficult problem to solve, but take the average criminal as we find him, we know that he reasons from false conceptions; that the very atmosphere he breathes is rich with alluring promises of something for nothing, and a rich harvest for the taking; that he can reap where others have sown in comparative safety. Convince him that he is wrong-that he has got hold of the wrong end of life; teach him that, gauged by any rational standard of life, the man who commits a cri ne is a fool or a lunatic, and I think our criminal population will rapidly decrease. But how are we to accomplish this? My answer is, by perfecting the Bertillon system of measurement throughout the United States. As a repressive agency, its relations to our penal system are as essential as the governor to a steam engine. Leav ing out of account the repressive and protective elements of the Bertillon system, we have made progress too hastily in the direction of improvements supposed to have special bearing upon the reformation of the prisoner. If we successfully combine the elements necessary to reduce crime to a minimum and give society the largest degree of protection possible in the treatment of criminals, the three-fold combination of prevention, repression and reformation must be rigidly maintained. I think I am not overestimating its importance when I say that the perfection of the Bertillon system of measurements for the registration and identification of criminals is of vastly more importance than farther attempt at development along the lines now suggested in our modern penal methods. Without it we cannot hope to successfully carry out the designs intended in the scheme of our modern methods of penal administration. Briefly stated, we need and must have the Ber tillon system for its preventive, repressive and reformative effect upon all grades of crime and criminals:

1. In that it will deter the novice who may be tempted thereto from falling into a life of crime.

2. Because it will deter and wean the first offender from falling again into a life of crime, knowing that he cannot escape its just penalty.

3. For the reason that it will deter and tend to reform the criminally disposed, because it teaches him there is nothing to be gained by continuing in a life of crime and everything to lose.

4. It will afford a safe and sure method for the detection of the habitual criminal.

5. For the reason that it will enable us to apprehend the parol breaker or the fugitive from justice.

6. Because it will stimulate the paroled prisoner to keep his parol and deter him from violating his obligations.

7. In that it will have a tendency to check the migratory habit of criminals, as no advantage can be gained thereby.

8. Because it will localize crime and criminals, and admit of local regulation of criminal tendencies.

9. For the reason that it will prevent the escape of the hardened criminal from the consequences of his crime.

10. In that it will protect the novice or first offender from unjust severity of sentence.

11. Because it will protect the innocent and stimulate the erring to paths of rectitude.

12. In that it will distinguish the accidental from the criminal by choice. 13. Because it increases the certainty of punishment for crime, and thereby weakens temptation and facilitates repression.

14. For the reason that it will enable the officers of the law to readily detect the habitual from the accidental criminal as soon as he is arrested for crime.

15. In that it affords the best possible protection against the premature release of prisoners on parol.

16. Because it will yield a larger degree of protection to society than any other measure ever inaugurated.

17. For the reason that it is the most perfect system for the registration and identification of criminals extant, and is so recognized by all who are competent to judge of its merits.

18. Because it will afford a safe and sure foundation for criminal statistics.

19. Because it will tend to dignify prison management into a profession, and tend to raise penology to an exact science.

20. Because it will stimulate wise penal legislation and remove unwise laws.

When we are able to show how many of our prisoners go out into the world and live the right kind of lives, when we are able to prove to a certainty the number of ex-prisoners that are reformed, then the state can know whether wise or unwise laws obtain in the administration of its penal laws and its prison administration. There are 80,000 prisoners in the United States to-day, confined in our various penal institutions. The average sentence is about three years. This vast body of men and women change on an average once in three years. In other words, this vast number of criminals revolves every three years. Some of them return to prison again. Others return to habits of industry and honesty. I mention this fact to give you some idea of the great importance of some system of identification broad enough and compresensive enough to take into its scheme the whole United States.

Judge John W. Willis, who was connected with the State Board of Corrections and Charities for a good many years, is with us to-night. He has had a large experience in criminal matters and in penal management. He is familiar with the work, and all of the improvements in penal administration that has been made in this state. I take pleasure in calling upon Judge Willis for a few remarks.