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Page 27
The testimony of social workers is, in the main, in favor of probation
as against long prison sentence for men of this type. "We have found a
shortened penitentiary sentence, with release on probation, very
successful in a number of instances." "Sometimes the probation has been
more effective by its being a sort of double probation; that is, having
the case pending in juvenile court as well as municipal or district
court. The fear of having his children permanently taken from him if he
again fails to support them has, in one or two instances, had much more
effect with the deserter than the threat of a prison sentence."
"Probation works very well and occasionally a prison sentence; but
probation is better." These statements come from cities where probation
work is well organized. From another city where the probation officers
are notoriously overworked, comes a pessimistic note: "The theory of
probation is fine, but the practice is poor because the officers have
entirely too much to do."
Probation is simply case work with the added "punch" of the law behind
it; so that when it is at all well done it should have the more lasting
results. Probation officers and other social workers agree, however,
that for certain deserters of the complacent type, an unexpected prison
sentence is sometimes a very salutary dash of cold water.
After having tried one or two short absences, ostensibly to look for
work and finding that nothing serious happened to him, Andreas
Gorokhoff walked out one day and did not come back for five years.
During that time his wife's relatives and the community's family
agency took care of his family while he led the life of a care-free
vagabond. He was ready upon his return to settle down again for a
time; but the family agency and the probation department thought
differently, and succeeded in having him sent to state prison for an
indeterminate sentence of not more than two years. He was released
on parole for good conduct, returned home, went to work, and, during
the four years which have since elapsed, all has gone well.
Good results may, and probably more often do, follow shorter prison
sentences.
A man on probation for intemperance, broke it and deserted. On
account of the children's keen feeling about the consequent
disgrace, the wife made no move until urged thereto by the social
worker interested. Her husband was then arrested in a nearby city
and brought back, much surprised at the firm stand his wife had
taken. He was sentenced to four months, served two, and was released
on parole. Since his return he has not been drinking and has been
contributing satisfactorily toward the support of his family.
* * * * *
The first step taken by Harvey Brand when released from the
workhouse after a short prison sentence, was to stop in at a
furniture store and order a green plush parlor "suit" on the
instalment plan. Harvey had never been conspicuously interested in
his home before, and the district secretary and her committee were
aghast at this new evidence of his irresponsibility. The green plush
was, however, the outward sign of an inner burgeoning, and it warmed
the heart of Mrs. Harvey as nothing else could have done. From that
time, Harvey, with judicious encouragement over a few hard spots,
has become a good family man and a regular provider.
The particular problem involved in the treatment of the family during
the trial and imprisonment of the deserter is that of encouraging the
woman to stick to her guns. If she withdraws her complaint or secures
his release before his time is up, she not only convinces him of her
lack of firmness but the entry in the court record seriously prejudices
her case should she make complaint there again. Unless the social worker
is convinced, therefore, that the sentence has been unduly severe, the
wife should be encouraged in every way to let her husband serve out his
time. If a policy of relief has been necessary, care should be taken
that it be adequate, so that economic pressure will not induce her to
ask for his release. If the home has been broken up and the children
committed, the mother's loneliness and desire to have her home back is
likely to work in the same way. The hope of making her husband kinder
when he returns often leads a woman to ask for his release. The pressure
of relatives and friends, and sometimes of her church is likely to be
exerted in the same direction and unknown to the social worker.
Chaplains of correctional institutions, interested entirely in the man
and with no knowledge of the family situation, are also likely to appear
in the case; and it is well to acquaint them, in the beginning, of our
interest and our hope that no step will be taken without a consultation.
If it is hoped or expected that the man will return to his home after
imprisonment, he should be earnestly cultivated by the social worker
while he is serving his time. Visits and letters will go far toward
breaking down his resentment at the part the worker is likely to have
played in "putting him behind the bars." Now is an excellent time to
introduce a man as volunteer visitor to the prisoner, if he is to be off
probation when released. If imprisonment or: "stay-away probation" does
not have the desired effect of making the deserter willing and anxious
to return to his family and take care of them, or if for any reason
return is permanently undesirable, the advisability of obtaining a legal
separation[32] should be considered at this point. If, on the other
hand, the man evinces eagerness to return home and support his family,
he comes automatically (though belatedly) into the class to be
considered in the next chapter.
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