Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 109, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1904 — TO CONVERT REFORMATORY INTO A BIG SCHOOL. [ARTICLE]

TO CONVERT REFORMATORY INTO A BIG SCHOOL.

W. H. Whittaker, formerly of Delphi, superintendent of the Jeffersonville reformatory, yesterday told members of the prison reform board all aboat a plan he has of abolishing the prison oontraot system and converting the Reform* atory into a big sonool where prisoners may be taught the common branches and useful trades. “My plan is perhaps only one of a number that may be suggested looking to prison reform,” said he, “Whatever report is presented to the next legislature sill probably be agreed upon unanimously by the members of the board.” I Mr. Whittaker told the board that the education of young prisoners was of more importance j than the earning of a few thousand dollars each year through the contract system.

“Prisoners should be educated and taught a trade that will enable them to earn an honest livelihood after they are released,” he said. ‘'At Jeffersonville we already have departments where the men learn to become pi inters, tinners, oarpenters, painters, machinists, tailors and electricians.” Mr, Whittaker said that Prof George B. Asbury, formerly superintendent of the Flora sohools had been engaged to take oharge of th% school work in the reformatory, At present £ls per cent of of the prisoners can neither read nor write, and 60 per cent have had no more than three or four years instruction in the common branches. The prison contracts at the reformatory will expire within two years. They are netting the state about $75,000 eaoh year. Mr. Whittaker wants the proceeds for the next two years to be used in establishing his trades sohool.