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the reformatory is that they must be convicted of a felony, and thus legally stamped as "criminals," before they can be sent to this institution. Hence the best sentiment of the state is opposed to sending young boys to Pontiac at all, and other insti- tutions have been provided or are being provided for them.
It is claimed that the discipline of the reformatory is mild, but firm, and there is no reason to doubt that this is true ; at least it is true in the vast majority of cases. No doubt stern measures have to be adopted in certain cases, where an inmate proves to be wholly irresponsive to kindly influences. Such cases are found in all institutions (even in churches!), and rose- water treatment is not effective. Several newspaper attacks have recently been made upon the Pontiac Reformatory, but these attacks were based chiefly on the statements of a few dis- charged inmates, who, it appeared, had been very unmanageable while in the reformatory. The rules of discipline are certainly humane and reasonable in character, and the board of managers and superintendent and other officers of the reformatory are among the most enlightened and humane reformers in the state. Until recently the board of managers had the power to transfer prisoners who might prove to be incorrigible to the state peni- tentiary, but a recent decision of the supreme court has declared this feature of the law unconstitutional, null, and void.
What percentage of those who pass through the reformatory are reformed? Between 1891 and 1900 it received 5,316 inmates ; 3,328 have been paroled ; 624 have been returned for further treatment ; 94 were transferred to the penitentiary ; the sentences of 526 expired ; 30 were pardoned, 53 died, 78 escaped, and 40 were released on a writ of habeas corpus these latter being released in 1899 and 1900, since the juvenile-court law of 1899 went into effect. Making all due allowance for relapses, we seem justified in concluding that at least the vast majority of those who were paroled and some of those who served out their terms, or were pardoned, became law-abiding citizens ; and, if so, the work of the reformatory must be con- sidered a success.
T. H. MACQUEARY. CHICAGO PARENTAL SCHOOL.
