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Condemnation Of Criminals Not Punishment

Condemnation Of Criminals Not Punishment image
Parent Issue
Day
10
Month
February
Year
1897
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

In the amputation of any portion of the body on account of gangrene or otlier morbid condition, there is no idea of punishment. The surgeons who are assembledinconsultation to decide upon the treatrnent of the diseased member do not consider whether the morbid state is the of transgression, but the simple question for them to decide is, "WiH the other parts of the body be better if the diseased portion is removed?" All men of a scientific turn of mind who have made a study of criminal anthropology are fast approaching the physician's position regarding such questions. Every criminal is more or less a diseased portion of the body politie : some can be saved, some must be removed, and some must be destroyed, but the notion of punishment should not complĂ­cate the judgment in deciding what disposition is to be made in either case. The insane were formerly regarded with feelings of hatred and vindictiveness, but to-day this Bi only a shameful recollection. With the advance in the study of criminolog and the more merciful era of humanitarianism that must follow, the like sentiments tovvard the criminal will be eliininated from our courts of justice. Prof. Austin Flint, the distinguished President of the New York State Medical Association, in his animal address to the association said, "Scientific proi gress will lead us flnally to abandon the ancieut iadea of punishment of crime and substitute for it treatment and eoiIrection."

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Courier