Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 173, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1912 — Modern Method of Treating Prisoners Works Well. [ARTICLE]

Modern Method of Treating Prisoners Works Well.

Less than a decade ago a prison warden who would 'have presumed to grant leave of absence to a “lifer” would have been thought little short of crazy and removed from office. In keeping with progress in other lines, however, the modern idea has also permeated the thick prison walls at Michigan City and now it is no uncommon thing for Warden Fogarty to grant a parole in case the matter is one he deems worthy. One of the most striking cases of the modern parole system is the case of Worley Osborne, of Kokomo, sent to Michigan City for life on a charge of murder. Osborne .was given a week in which to visit his aged father who is dying. Just how well the system works out is well illustrated by this same example. Osborne left Michigan City attired as a citizen, without a guard, with the right to be absent from his melancholy cell a week. In speaking of the action Osborne declared, “Warden Fogarty said only a few words to me. He said I would be expected to return at the minute of expiration of my parole. I would rather break my neck than to break my word to him.” . The greeting accorded the wayward son by his mother was pathetic in the extreme. The aged father, however, was too weak to make any demonstration, hut could merely nod a grateful recognition to his son. ■The system of granting leave of absence to prisoners other than trusties was at first inaugurated about eight years ago. Since that time it has been tried .out in most of the modern places of 'confinement and it has been found that there is “honor even among lifers.” When put upon their honor, almost without exception they would rather “break their necks than their word."

Governor Marshall and Harry B. Darling, secretary of the state prison board, are enthusiastic over the results shown by Warden Fogarty in his method of handling prisoners.