THE HOWARD ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 96, 17 January 1919, Page 3

THE HOWARD ASSOCIATION

During the last seventeen years (says an American' paper) the total number of men who have been benefited by the Central Howard Association efforts has been more than 15,000, according to a statement made by 'F. Emory Lyon, of Chicago, superintendent of the association, in describing the plan of practical help which the association i.i extending to prison inmates.

"This help includes assistance to the inmates of prisons, gaols, and reformatories," said Mr. Lyon, "sftid is accorded them both while they are under' restraint and after they have been released. The association operates in the Central Western States of the v United States, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and lowa. It was named after the famous British prison reformer, John Howard, who did much good work as a pioneer about 150 years ago.

"Tho number given aid during 1917 totalled almost 1000, and this in spite of war .conditions, which greatly handicapped the work of the association, owuijr to the la,rge number of appeals which were made throughout the country for contributions to war objects. Notwithstanding- this, however, employment was found for every applicant,- the • average cost per man of placing and assisting • them being 10:29 dollars. x

It is interesting to mention that in Illinois, tinder the indeterminate-sen-tence plan in operation, 'some 700 men were released on parole in order that they might obtain employment in the Rock Island Government arsenal, and this experiment proved quite successful.

"Meanwhile the association is also working for constructive prevention of crime by instituting measures to provide better home training for children, including trade training as a part of all education, and at the same timo is endeavouring to procure more generally the recognition of the necessity of a living wage. Also, with the ideal of good citizenship ever in view, the endeavour is being made to change the penal institutions into, places of true correction, which will include the elimination of the .loc-.il county gaol through its control by the State, and the establishment of adequate industries in all prisons, managed efficiently for the' support of tho institutions, nwl the self-support of tho inmates. Definite after-care by the State for both paroled and discharged men, is also a goal aimed at by tho association,"