RULES GOVERNING INMATES ORS DEE Ohio, State Reformatory, ’ MANSFIELD, OHIO 1910 . MANSFIELD, OHIO PRESS OHIO STATE REFORMATORY 1910 Ohio State Reformatory RULES GOVERNING INMATES MANSFIELD, OHIO \ To: CONSECUTIVE No. You have been sentenced under the law to a term of imprisonment in the Ohio State Reformatory for an indeterminate period, which in your case may be extended: {O...25..°>. years. It is within your power, however, by your meritorious conduct, to reduce that imprisonment, but in no case will the term of imprison- ment be less than the minimum time provided by law, which is one year. The conditions under which such reduction can be made are embodied in the reasonable rules adopted by the Managers for the government of your conduct while you remainin the Reformatory, which are hereinafter given. Your conduct record by which this reduction is made is wholly within your own control. The citizens of Ohio, regardful of the welfare of the young men who have been led by inclination or inadvert- ence to commit a felony, of which they are for the first time convicted, have established this institution for your confinement. Here you are removed from all contamin- 2 OHIO STATE REFORMATORY ating influences which surround a common prison. Here vou are surrounded by friends who earnestly seek your *eformation; and here, by their aid, and that of your own will, you can be restored to good citizenship. While the Reformatory in a legal sense is a pena: insti- tution, you were not sent here solely as a punishment for the crime you committed, but rather asa fitting place to give you time to consider with helpful surroundings, the certain results of evil deeds, and lead you to firmly resolve that you wi!l hereafter lead an honest life. While this is the character of a reformatory, it must necessarily be governed by proper rules, to which-all inmates are required to render strict obedience. Some of these rules may seem unjust to vou; but, with due regard to the diversity of human judgment, they are designed to benefit all alike. While at the Reformatory your conduct, will be con- sidered from the three conditions of industry, study, and behavior. You will be taught how and you will be expected to work; you will be given the advantages of school, and will be required to make reasonable progress, and good deportment will be demanded of you at all times. When the record of your conduct, as determined by the rules, shows that you are worthy of public confi- dence, the Superintendent and Chaplain will so certify to the Managers, who have authority to release you on pa- role. When you have lived a sufficient time on such conditional discharge as to satisfy the Managers that you will continue to remain at liberty without violating the law, and that your release is not incompatible with the welfare of society, they will certify these facts to the Gov- ernor, who may, at his discretion, restore you to citizen- ship by granting you a full pardon. RULES GOVERNING INMATES 3 GRADE RULES (CLASSIFICATION ) ‘nmates of the Reformatory are classified in three _ des, as follows: First, which is the highest; Second, or intermediate; Third, or lowest. The following colors will distinguish inmates in the respective grades: Those in the first grade will be clothed in blue; those in the second grade in blue with the figure ‘‘2’’ on the sleeve of the coat. The third grade represents demotion; those demoted to the third grade for less serious offenses will constitute the third grade ‘‘A”’ and will be clothed in gray uniform, Those demoted for more serious offenses will constitute a third grade ‘‘B’* and will be dressed in butter- nut brown. PROMOTIONS On his first admission, each inmate will enter the second or intermediate grade. An account will at once be opened up with him on his individual record, in which he will be charged 360 days—twelve months of thirty days each—the minimum term for which he may be deprived of his liberty by the sentence of the Trial Court. This minimum period may be extended from time to time by penalities imposed by the Institution Court, for misconduct and unsatisfactory work and failure to study. Each inmate will be credited on his account with the actual time spent in the first or second grades. When his record account shows that his credit for good conduct has reduced the balance against him to 180 days, the inmate shall be promoted to the first grade; and 4 OHIO STATE REFORMATORY when his record account balances he shall be deemed eligible for consideration for parole and will be entitled to a hearing at the next parole meeting of the Board of Managers. DEMOTIONS For aggravated cases of misconduct, an inmate may be reduced in grade; all demotions shall be to the third grade, and for periods of from thirty to one hundred eighty days. An inmate demoted to third grade ‘‘B’’ by making a clear record therein for one-third the reduction period will be advanced to third grade ‘‘A’’ for the remainder of such period. An inmate serving one year in the first grade without becoming eligible may be reduced to the third grade for not making satisfactory progress, and shall be ordered before the Superintendent and given an opportunity to show good reason why such demotion should not be made, On being demoted in grade, inmate’s record account will be suspended, and he shall be furnished with a statement of his condition at date of demotion. A sup- plemental account will then be opened up, charging him with the number of days for which he was demoted ; this period may be extended by further charges in days as a penalty for further misconduct, while in the demo- tion grade, by the Institution Court. When extension of time is for a period greater than ten days, such extension shall have the approval of the General Superintendent hefore becoming effective. RULKS GOVERNING INMATES Nn REINSTATEMENT The method of reinstatement shall be similar to the rules of promotion above set forth; the inmate shall be credited with the time spent, and when’such time shall equal the total time charged, he shall be reinstated in his former condition ; his regular.account will again be opened up and continued as though demotion had not eccurred, except that an entry shall be made in red ink showing the number of days spent in demotion grade. All reinstatements shall be made direct to the grade from which demotion occurred. PROMOTION BY BANKRUPTCY COURT All promotions shall be made in accordance with the general rules above set forth, except as provided for by action of the Bankruptcy Court, as follows : Any inmate below the second grade who, because of misconduct, has had so much time assessed against him as to render the prospects of his promotion extremely remote, and who, in good faith, has resolved to establish a good record, may make written application to the Superintendent for such exercise of clemency as may come within his discretion under the rules of the institution. If the party making the appeal for clemency has a clearrecord for thirty days next preceding the date of the application the appeal will be referred to the Bank- ruptcy Court, consisting of the Assistant Superintendent and the Chaplain, who will give the applicant a hearing, carefully review his case, and make a report of their findings to the Superintendent. In case the appeal is 6 OHIO STATE REFORMATORY granted, the applicant will be placed in the second grade under the same conditions as app!y to inmates on first entering the institution, and his consideration for parole will not be prejudiced by his former record. Any inmate who shall have served one year in the second grade and who has failed of promotion to the first grade, because of minor acts of omission or comunis- sion, may make written appeal to the Superintendent for promotion to the first grade, and his case dealt with in like manner and on like conditions as stated above. The Superintendent will not remit time lost, or make special promotion except in the manner above indicated. AS TO PAROLES 1. When the inmate’s record account balances he has become eligible as above set forth in the rules of promotion, and he will be furnished with a blank upon which he will give directions for sending out the necessary papers for proper execution, when favorable action has been taken for parole by the Board of Managers. In order to avoid delay and error the Prosecuting Attorney’s Certificate will be sent to the Prosecutor from the Superintendent’s office, and in order that the applications for parole may be promptly published in accordance with the terms of the law, and at the least cost to inmate, the advertising notices will be sent out by the Clerk. On the blank pro- vided therefor, the applicant will give name and address of parties to whom he desires to make application for employment and request for advertising fee. 2. Beginning with January, r9ro, every regular meet- ing thereafter will be open for the consideration of paroles. RULES GOVERNING INMATES 7 The requirements constituting eligibility for consideration for parole are as follows: (a) The applicant must have served one year in the institution, in accordance with provision of law. (6) He mnst have a balance credit of good time of at least three hundred and sixty (360) days. That is, the number of days with which an inmate is credited must be equal to or greater than those charged against him on his conduct record account. — (c) The Prosecuting Attorney’s Certificate must be on file showing that no indictments are still pending against the applicant, but should the Prosecuting Attorney fail or refuse to furnish said certificate within reasonable time, such refusal or delay shall not deprive an inmate other- wise eligible of a hearing for parole. (dq) The advertisement of his application for parole must be properly published in accordance with provisions of law. (e€) He must have the favorable recommendation of the Superintendent and Chaplain as required by law. (f) In order to give necessary time for legally adver- tising applications for parole, and for a thorough exami- nation of the papers of each applicant by the Superintend- ent and Chaplain, and later by the Board of Managers. only those inmates who are eligible on or before the first day of the month in which a parole meeting is held, shall be given a hearing at such meeting. (g) When an inmate’s application for parole is rejected, he shall not be eligible for a rehearing for four months thereafter. This period shall not be extended of reduced except by a majority vote of all members of the Board, four members voting for the same. he) OHIO STATE REFORMATORY (#) Employment is not a necessary condition jor a hearing for parole but is necessary for release on parole. 3. Allinmates who have met the conditions imposed by Jaw and the general rules, and who have received the favorable recommendation of the Superintendent and Chaplain will be considered candidates for parole without making formal application. 4. Judgment by the Board of Managers as to the worthiness of the applicant for parole will be based on the following considerations arranged in the order of their relative importance: (@) ‘The record and character of the applicant as estab- lished in the institution. (6) Thenature and character of the crime committed. (c) His previous record and environment. (@) Information gained from a personal interview with applicant. (@) Probable surroundings if paroled. (7) Allother facts bearing upon the advisability of parole that the management may be able to obtain. 5. It will be well to observe that while a good record in the institution is the first requisite and of prime im- portance, it is not the only consideration in determining fitness for parole as inmates and their friends sometimes suppose. 6. Since a recommendation to the Board of Managers for consideration for parole is the joint action of the Superintendent and Chaplain, after careful consideration, and the granting of a parole is a like action on the part of the Board of Managers, no individual member of the management can advisedly give any promise or guarantee that an application will be considered or a parole granted RULES GOVERNING INMATES 9 at a given time. Therefore, no such promise, or guarantee will be made. 7. No inmate shall be released from the Reformatory from any other than the first grade. If an inmate’s record is that of general obedience to the rules when he becomes eligible to parole with a minor act or acts of omission or commission still charged against him, the Superintendent may submit such charges with attending circumstances to the Managers, who may authorize him to remit the same. 8. No inmate shall be paroled until the Managers are satisfied that he will conform to the rules and regulations of his parole. g. After the Superintendent and Chaplain recommend, it shall require the affirmative vote of all members of the Board of Managers to grant a parole. 10. No oral argument will be allowed at their sessions by attorneys or others in the interest of inmates who have made application for parole, but such argument may be presented in writing so as to be filed with the application of the inmate to whom it refers. 11. The prayer of no applicant legally eligible for parole shall be unfavorably acted upon unless said appli- cant shall have had a personal hearing before the Board of Managers. 12. No minor on parole from the Ohio State Reforma- tory shall receive his final release froin custody until he has attained his majority. This, however shall not be interpreted to mean that any inmate may he released from custody until he has at least served one year on parole. 13. Noinmate on parole shall be discharged from the custody of this institution until the expiration of the full minimum time provided as a penalty for the crime for 10 OHIO STATE REFORMATORY which he was committed. The time to be counted from the date of his commitment to the institution. 14. In cases where the minimum term prescribed by law as a penalty is greater than one year, an inmate may be eligible for parole at the expiration of one year, if his record is such as to justify the same, but if paroled he shall not be finally discharged until the expiration of the minimum time provided by law for the offense committed, as set forth in section 13, above. 15. These rules shall not be suspended in any case, unless by unanimous vote of the members of the Board of Managers present. 16. No alteration or amendment shall be made to these rules and regulations unless at least four of the Board of Managers vote therefor. 17. The Superintendent shall report at each regular parole meeting a list of all inmates who have served twenty- four months in the institution and have not gained eligibility for consideration for parole under the gen- eral rules of the institution. 18. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent from time to time to make such minor regulations in keeping with these rules as may be necessary to properly carry - them into effect. 19. The parole provided for in said Act shall be in the following farm signed by the President and Superintead- ent, and the period of parole shall be one year. The Board of Managers may, however, extend the period of parole when such action is deemed advisable: FORM OF PAROLE Know all Men by These Presents, That the Board of Managers of the Ohio State Reformatory, desiring to test the abilityof ..... AO cd Sa nT ART RULES GOVERNING INMA‘’TES 11 inmate in said institution, to refrain from crime, and lead an honorable life, do, by virtue of the authority conferred upon them by law, hereby parole the CN a al a ae Los .and allow him to go on parole Satside the yensaiiee: cae enclosure of said institution, but not outside the State of Ohio; subject, however, to the following rules and regulations: 1. He shall proceed at once to the place of employ- ment, provided for him, viz: are 5 aca eee EL there remain, if pracceatie, tor a od of at least Ce months from this date. 2. Incase he finds it necessary or desirable to change his employment or residence, he shall first obtain the written consent of the Superintendent. 3. Heshall, on the first day of each month, until his final release according to law, forward by mail to the Superintendent a report of himself, stating whether he has been constantly under pay during the last month, and if not, why not, and how much he earned, and how much he has expended, together with a general statement of his surroundings and prospects. 4. He shall in all respects conduct himself honestly, avoid evil associations, obey the law, and abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, or frequent- ing places wherein it is sold. 5. As soon as ian after peal his destination EPEAT POT flea fetes ad ene Sides hich chee him this parole, nd. oe once enter upon the erlot ment provided for him. 6. He shall, while on parole, remain in legal custody and under control of said Board. i2 OHIO STATE REFORMATORY 7. Inmates, while on parole, are prohibited from as- sociating or corresponding with other inmates who are or have been on parole. 8. He shall be liable to be retaken and again confined within the enclosure of said institution for any reason that shall be satisfactory to the Board of Managers, and at their sole discretion and shall remain therein until re- leased by law. g. The Field Officer, under direction of the General Superintendent, has special charge and care of young men on parole from the Reformatory. He will visit each paroled man as frequently as possible, and his counsel and advice should be sought by all young men on parole. He will make full written report of every visit. The management of the Reformatory has a lively and friendly interest in the subject of this parole, and he need not fear or hesitate to freely communicate with the Superintend- ent in case he loses his situation or becomes unable to labor by reason of sickness or otherwise. 10. When an inmate is released on parole he shall be furnished transportation to the county whence he came, or where he has found employment; also, with a suit of clothes and five dollars in money, if he has not to exceed that amount in earnings for labor in the institution. 11. After being on parole not less than one year with- out violating the law or the conditions of his parole, and his conduct in all respects being regarded by the Man- agers as meritorious, the inmate will be eligible to full discharge by the Board of Managers, and restored to citi- zenship by the Governor. re 12. On failure to obey the law or the conditions of this parole while on such conditional release, the inmate will be rearrested and returned to the Reformatory where RULES GOVERNING INMATES 13 he will enter the third grade; or he will be transferred tc the Penitentiary, where he will remain until he is dis- charged by due process of the law. 13. Whenever an inmate on parole is returned for alleged violation of his parole, he shall be first heard by the Board of Managers in his own defense before final action is taken by the Board in revoking his parole, mod- ifying or extending or otherwise changing the status of such inmate. 14. He shall abstain from use of cigarettes. 15. He shall not carry concealed weapons. 20. Parole violations are classified into three subdivi- sions, as follows: (a) Recommission of crime. (6) Commission of a misdemeanor. (¢) Violation of the rules governing inmates on parole. 22. Any inmate whose parole shall be revoked because of the recommission of a felony shall not be eligible for a rehearing for parole until he has served at least eigh- teen months on his recommitment. 23. Any inmate whose parole shall be revoked because of the commission of a misdemeanor shall not be eligible for a rehearing for parole until he has served at least twelve months on his recomumitinent. 24. Any inmate whose parole shall be revoked because of the violation of any of the rules governing paroles, or for minor offenses, shall not be eligible for a rehearing for parole until he has served at least six months on his recommitiuent. 25. No parole violator from any of the above classes shall be reparoled from any but the first grade. iy ae OHIO STATE REFORMATORY 26 The niinutes of the meeting of the Board of Man- agers at which any parole is revoked shal] show in each case to which of the above classes the inmate in ques- tion is placed. 27 When any paroled inimate is returned to the insti- tution for recommission of crime on confession of guilt, such confession must be in writing and signed by the inmate and must be witnessed by two or more respon- sible parties. 28. When any inmate, on being returned to the insti- tution, makes the claim that he is unjustly returned and that he is not guilty of the things charged againt him, no reward shall be paid until the Board of Managers have passed on his case. ADVISORY SUGGESTIONS TO INMATES This Reformatory is not only a temporary prison home for those who have committed a felony, and who are thought to be susceptible to Reformatory influences, but it is also a school for instruction. It includes an indus- trial, as well as an educational department, where all are given an opportunity to acquire such skill in one of the various employments as will secure them an honorable position in the imdustrial world, when restored to free citizenship. To enjoy the full benefits of this course of instruction and discipline, it should be your aim not only to secure an early discharge by meritorious conduct, but also to eradicate from your heart all inclination to do evil; and thus, when you are either conditionally or fully dis- charged, secure the merited confidence of all good citizens ~ RULES GOVERNING INMATES 15 with whom you may become associated. Without such real change of purpose, such firm resolve that you will lead a better life, your Reformatory instructions will do you little good. Remember that public confidence once lost can not be restored by the unaided effort of your friends. No precept, no example, will make you a moral, law- abiding citizen, without the aid of your own determined will. GENERAL ORDERS 1.