On the Uses of Parole Restrictions

Abstract

Dr. Hans von Hentig has achieved an excellent reputation as a criminologist abroad and more currently in this country. His recent article on Degrees of Parole Violation and Graded Remedial Measures2 was undoubtedly intended to be helpful, but was accepted by press as critical, and in one of New York dailies produced following headline-Parole System Attacked as in Demands. There is a whimsical anecdote of a kindly gentleman who gave a lump of sugar to a horse tethered at curb. The horse thanked him and engaged him in a coversation, claiming to be son of Man o' War. Shortly afterwards, gentleman offered a fabulous price for horse, but owner said: That horse has been talking to you; you mustn't believe him. It is no doubt wise for Dr. von Hentig to gather opinions that inmates of penal institutions entertain of parole, and it does those of us who are engaged in rough and tumble business of parole supervision no harm to be reminded of prisoner's reactions. However, we certainly should not render any final judgment which will be based too largely upon how inmates regard parole. One of important points that all advocates of parole have been attempting to make in recent years is that it is a protective process, and that people most interested in its successful administration are public at large. It is perhaps too much to hope that prisoners remaining in institution should express a high regard for Parole Board, and it is not to be wondered at that those who are returned for violation believe that our return methods spoil everything. Accustomed as parole administrators are to fending off attacks alleging super-sensitiveness towards prisoner, it is frankly a novel experience to be charged with harshness in their supervision methods. Nevertheless, not all parolees prefer prison. Because parolees are released under conditions which seek to bring about a closer approach to right living on their part, and because in many cases these conditions are idealistic, or Utopian in character, should we therefore not attempt to enforce them? I can hardly share author's belief that on this account the institution of parole laboriously built up through decades shows symptoms of decay. I doubt if decay is word to use. Looking at it from point of view of public we might say that parole system is 1 New York State Parole Commissioner; President of American Parole Association; Member of Advisory Editorial Council of This JOURNAL. 80 Center St., New York City. 2 See preceding number of this JOURNAL, pages 363-371.