Charles R. Henderson

“ We recommend a laboratory, furnished with the best modern instruments of precision, conducted by a specialist or trained observer, for the scientific study of prison populations, with special reference to obvious practical needs of the administration in the discipline, instruction, and training of prisoners. These studies would be: Physical: the anatomy and physiology of prisoners; measurements of sensation and other manifestations of mind through the body; and the hereditary factors. Psychical: the mental, emotional, voluntary life-activities ”

“ Advanced students who have been thoroughly trained by modern methods in psychology would find a new and enticing field in an institution whose inmates are under the control of the authorities, and become communicative if they are approached in a sympathetic and tactful way. ”

“ For juvenile offenders it is not difficult to discover defects in home environment, hygienic conditions, aesthetic and moral influences, companions, work, and play. In most cases the student can discover and record the facts of nationality, education, religion, moral instruction and ideas, parental influences, occupation, temptations, amusements and games, habits, superstitions, conjugal relations. The correspondence and travel necessary to collect data of this class from police, courts, teachers, pastors, employers, and others, can be done only by persons who reside permanently at a prison. ”

“ In respect to movements, it is possible to measure speed, lung capacity and action, strength of grip, legs, back, and chest. Physiological defects are discovered and measured, as corrugation of face, inco-ordination of eyes, twitching, pallor, mouth-breathing. All of these throw light on the physical basis of mental life, the power to work, the requirements of training, diet, and exercise. A detailed study pf the senses may be made, as of sight, hearing, touch, muscle sense, smell, taste, pain. ”

“ One who should travel throughout the world visiting prisons of different nations and the prisoners therein would be impressed, if an intelligent observer, with the similarity of general appearance of prison populations. The distinguishing characteristics of criminals which, when observed in mass, give such a positive impression, ought to be inquired into, mapped out, and published for the information of the lawmakers and those who administer laws." ↑ See Francis Warner, The Study of Children and Their School Training, The Macmillan Co., 1899. ”

“ If this be an important, perhaps the only important, subject of investigation, it follows that the director must have training in sociology and economics as well as in physiological psychology. For the tyro in these subjects is no more compe- tent to analyze the complex social forces than the quack is competent to diagnose disease as a necessary preliminary to treatment by medicine, surgery, or regimen. The phenomena of social life are more obvious and accessible than those of physical life, but they are far more vast, entangled, and compli- cated. ”

“ It is the desire of the committee of the National Prison Association to cooperate with the departments of psychology and anthropology in universities, and with such bodies as the American scientific associations, and to promote, as far as pos- sible, uniformity in the methods of taking measurements and recording observations. This is highly important in comparison of data and results. It would be natural and easy for all prison directors to agree in advance upon a common system of pro- cedure, in order to give generalizations a higher value. ”

“ In some of our prisons and reformatories physical measurements are already taken for the practical purpose of directing the selection of suitable gymnastic exercises for the cure of defects and diseases, for the development of the body, and for the choice of the kind of employment. All agree that such measurements, even if without instruments of precision, have great value in reformatories for youth and undeveloped young men. ”

“ The importance of having established laboratories is very clear. Miss F. A. Kellor, having had considerable experience with such studies in prisons north and south, says:
In order to secure data, there should be permanent and suitable laboratories in each institution, with a well-trained person in charge. Temporary laboratories with portable supplies have been used, but are unsatisfactory for the following reasons: (1) Delicate instruments are required which are not easily transported. (2) Satisfactory rooms, free from noise and disturbance, are not always obtainable for temporary use. ”

“ Studies of juvenile offenders in Europe and America have already established the fact that they are, on the average, much inferior in height, weight, muscular strength, and vital capacity to the average of children of the industrial classes who are their neighbors. ”

“ Naturally and properly the administrative officers of prisons will ask where competent directors of such institutions can be found. It is vital to the permanent success of this movement that the first appointees be in all respects suitable. The techni- cal qualifications are a training in laboratories of anthropology and of physiological psychology, with a certain additional expe- rience in studies of normal and defective persons in a wider range. The director must be able to formulate and apply sched- ules of questions which will bring out the social forces which tend toward crime. ”

“ But in the United States we have the greatest variety of race types, all of them affected by the peculiar conditions of American industry, climate, and political institutions. The data furnished from Europe cannot apply in all respects under the entirely different conditions of our country. We must make our own investigations with our own material. ”

“ The same committee was continued for another year to prosecute the inquiry and promote the establishment of laboratories. In response to a request from the wardens, some further materials are herewith added to the brief outline which served as a basis for the discussion.
The formulation of investigations must be left to the experts who will be appointed directors of laboratories in prisons; but some further illustrations may be presented here in order to make more clear the scope of the purpose of the report. The causes of crime lie in the nature of the offender and in his environment. ”

“ Sometimes these examinations are made by physicians, teachers, and psychologists for pedagogic purposes. They demonstrate the importance of knowing the capacity of the person who is to be taught, disciplined, and influenced. ”

“ The salary of a young observer might begin at nine hundred dollars, and be increased with experience and PRISON LA BORA TORIES 323
evidence of success to two thousand dollars or more. A common- wealth could employ an able director for all its prisons and reformatories, and supply assistants for detailed work at much lower salaries. While each person must make his own estimate of prospects, it seems probable that we are opening a new pro- fession for well-trained observers, and a new opportunity of advancing science. ”

“ The cost of equipment is not very great. The experts think that five hundred dollars would furnish the most necessary instruments, although additions must be made from time to time, as new inventions come into use. ”

“ Both to prison authorities and to candidates for positions the question of salary must be raised. Prisons are public insti- tutions, and unmarried officers are frequently boarded in the establishment. ”