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Editorial
August 30, 1902
The Dickinson Press
Dickinson, Stark County, North Dakota
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes frequent jail escapes in the state, particularly on the Missouri slope, attributing them to excessive leniency by officials who allow prisoners undue privileges, calling for stricter confinement to uphold justice.
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OCR Quality
98%
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Full Text
It has been much the fashion of late in this state for men charged with grave crimes to be allowed to escape from the jails in which they are confined. A few days ago a man, charged with murder in Wells county, escaped, and is still at large.
There have been altogether too many escapes of this sort from counties on the Missouri slope. A man, charged with stealing over $30,000 worth of horses in the extreme western part of this state, skipped out of jail, leaving a note of regret for his jailor to peruse.
He has never more been heard from. Most escapes occur because of the too great leniency on the part of the jail officials. The prisoners, by their smooth conduct, convince the officials, whose duty it is to see that they are kept in jail, that they would under no circumstances violate the confidence that is placed in them.
They are allowed to go down town; to go horseback riding; to do chores around their place of alleged confinement, and when the opportune moment comes, they are missing. These escapes are decidedly demoralizing to the cause of justice, and call for a less soft-hearted method of caring for the prisoners by the sheriffs and their deputies.
—Mandan Pioneer.
There have been altogether too many escapes of this sort from counties on the Missouri slope. A man, charged with stealing over $30,000 worth of horses in the extreme western part of this state, skipped out of jail, leaving a note of regret for his jailor to peruse.
He has never more been heard from. Most escapes occur because of the too great leniency on the part of the jail officials. The prisoners, by their smooth conduct, convince the officials, whose duty it is to see that they are kept in jail, that they would under no circumstances violate the confidence that is placed in them.
They are allowed to go down town; to go horseback riding; to do chores around their place of alleged confinement, and when the opportune moment comes, they are missing. These escapes are decidedly demoralizing to the cause of justice, and call for a less soft-hearted method of caring for the prisoners by the sheriffs and their deputies.
—Mandan Pioneer.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Or Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Jail Escapes
Prisoner Leniency
Law Enforcement
Horse Theft
Murder Charge
Missouri Slope
What entities or persons were involved?
Jail Officials
Sheriffs
Deputies
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Jail Escapes Due To Official Leniency
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Leniency In Prisoner Confinement
Key Figures
Jail Officials
Sheriffs
Deputies
Key Arguments
Frequent Escapes From Jails In The State, Especially On The Missouri Slope
Escapes Undermine Justice
Leniency Allows Prisoners To Gain Trust And Privileges Like Going Downtown Or Horseback Riding
Need For Stricter Methods In Caring For Prisoners