The convalescent sick are allowed to walk around the grounds the greater part of the day, when the weather is favorable. The prisoner’s hair is never clipped, except occasionally for sanitary reasons when received. Inmates now receive two shaves a week and one haircut a month _gratis_. They are allowed to smoke in their rooms. They are permitted to converse in a low tone in the dining room. Instead of one letter a month they now have the privilege of writing every ten days. Entertainments are given on July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The dark cell, whipping and cuffing-up have been abolished. Instead of the dark cell a well-ventilated room is now used, in which a bed and a blanket are placed at night. The punishments now in vogue consist of bread and water diet, and the taking away of all privileges, the forfeiture of commutation and in extreme cases, compelling the prisoner who is locked in cell to stand at the door without tension, during working hours. A list is sent to the Prisoners’ Aid Association, on the 15th of each month, so that, if necessary, provision can be made for their care until they find employment. An interne has been appointed, thus giving the institution the services of a physician instantly in emergency cases. This work was formerly done by a prisoner. A steam chest has been installed, so that all clothes from the hospital can be disinfected and washed within the hospital grounds. Surely, where so many and such reforms have been instituted during a year there must have been room for reform, and congratulations for the reforms are due. HUMANIZING A COURT By James A. Collins Former City Judge of Indianapolis. [A paper read before the National Conference of Charities and Correction, Memphis, Tenn., May 12, 1914.] It is not my purpose to present a theory for dealing with the poor and unfortunate who make up the daily toll of police duty, but the actual working of a definite plan. Probation has been defined as a judicial system, under which an offender against penal law, instead of being imprisoned, is given an opportunity to reform himself under supervision and subject to conditions imposed by the court, to the end that if he makes good no penalty will be imposed. The enactment of a law by the legislature of Indiana in 1907, under which courts may exercise the right to suspend sentence or withhold judgment in the case of adults, made possible the application of the probation system in the administration of justice in circuit and criminal courts and courts having concurrent jurisdiction. The probation method of dealing with minor offenders in our State was an attempt to follow the spirit of the constitutional provision that “the penal code shall be founded on the principles of reformation and not of vindictive justice.”