Crime, and how best to attack it.

Abstract

This short paper is designed to start discussion, but, of course, not to deal in any sense exhaustively with a very difficult subject. Mr. Webb presents one aspect of that subject, most pleasant no doubt for kindly persons to dwell on. I invite attention to another aspect, but I do not pretend that it is at all such a pleasant one - only unfortunately it is, I think, true. You will see that I venture to disagree with Mr. Webb as to the best point of attack and the best method of attacking, to be chosen in a crusade against criminals and crime. I say we should concentrate our attack by Reformatory and preventive methods on child life, and not, as at present, on adult life. I say that so far as consistent with cleanliness and health, adult prisons, especially for all shorter sentences, should be uncomfortable and not comfortable. And in saying so, I have just as much a right as Mr. Webb has to appeal to the truest feelings of humanity and kindness. It is a greater kindness and a truer humanity to make the law a steady terror to the criminal than to lavish on him kindness and culture at the necessary cost of increased suffering from criminals at large to those who try to do well.