Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 8.djvu/665

 REFORMATION OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS 645

a livelihood honestly, and his surroundings or environment must be so improved that his temptations will not be greater than an average human being can bear. In our reformatories, therefore, the inmates receive at least the elements of an English educa- tion, which they usually lack when they enter there ; and they are also taught a trade ; and then they are paroled and placed in new and better surroundings, where they have a chance to be- come good citizens.

The results of this method of dealing with criminals have been far more satisfactory than were the results of the old method. But penologists were finally forced to see that even the reformatory method was not perfect, and now they are advo- cating prevention as the best method of eradicating crime.

When a man has become a "hardened criminal," it is well- nigh impossible to reform him. When a youth has pursued a course of crime foryears.it is very difficult to reform him, although our reformatories have accomplished and are accomplishing remarkable results. But if we take the boy who has inherited a predisposition to crime, or a weak will, or an unstable ner- vous system, and is placed in unfavorable surroundings, and by education and a change of environment strengthen his will, train his conscience, eradicate his criminal tendencies, and "give him a chance," he is far more apt to grow up to be a decent and law- abiding citizen. Institutions have been, and are being, founded to apply this theory, and it is the object of these articles to show what Illinois has done and is doing along these lines.

A few years ago Illinois was in the rear of the progressive states, but now she is well up toward the front. Her methods of dealing with criminals, juvenile and older offenders alike, and her schools and reformatories, are representative ; they show what has been done in other states, as well as in this state, and as such they are of general interest.

In this article we will consider the work of the two reform schools and the reformatory which Illinois has had ; and in another article we will consider the schools for dependents, delinquents, and truants.