On the first page of this issue of The Mirror will be found a brief review of the volume entitled “Convict Life at the Minnesota State Prison.” Until recently the publication of matter of that character has been tabooed by managers of penal institutions. However, there is no harm in such publicity. Conditions are constantly improving and penologists recognize that fact. Corporal punishment and the lockstep have been abolished in many prisons.

The problem confronting wardens is not “how to punish prisoners,” but rather how to reform them and restore them to society as good citizens.

The Minnesota State Prison is referred to as a model, and, while the buildings now occupied are old and antiquated, unfit for prison purposes and manufacturing, nevertheless the morale of the inmates is of a high grade and credit is due to those who have brought this condition about. As the author, Mr. W. C. Heilbron, truly states, the first two months of incarceration for the average prisoners provide punishment enough to last a lifetime. Of course this does not apply to all inmates, but it is certainly true of many of them.

It is neither the purpose nor the province of The Mirror to laud any one in particular regarding the management of the Minnesota State Prison. The facts speak more eloquently than all the eulogies that could be uttered. The Mirror, however, desires to direct the attention of the public to the fact that no harm is done by the publication of such a volume as “Convict Life at the Minnesota State Prison,” and much good may result from its compilation and circulation.

There have been prisons and dungeons since the earliest days of recorded history and no doubt such institutions will be in vogue until the end of the universe. Great advancement has been made in the treatment of those who have been so unfortunate as to be segregated from society in general and the publication of facts instead of fancy will be the means of clarifying the atmosphere considerably as to what is just and humane and of the greatest earthly benefit to men and women who have, either through ignorance, accident, design or viciousness, fallen from grace and become the wards of the commonwealth in a prison or penitentiary.

To the end that the public may be fully and reliably informed of the facts in relation to prison life the volume mentioned must prove to be of great value to all those who peruse its pages with an open mind and a generous heart—(Prison Mirror, July 22, 1909.)