The least of our brethren: library service to prisoners

摘要

These quotes represent the prevailing viewpoint of early penological reformative discourse. Crime was considered a sin. Atonement for evil deeds, reformation of character. religion and reading, especially religious reading, were considered (as they are now) remedies for a sinful nature. The rehabilitation of prisoners, an idea not widely in favor among the public today, was an extension of religion and reflected the cultural ideas of early prison reformers.