“For some years I have felt that the principles of self-government might possibly be the key to the solution of the prison problem; but as yet I have not been able to see clearly how to begin its application. There have seemed to be almost insuperable difficulties. In this connection Jack” (Jack Murphy, a prisoner) “made a suggestion which supplies a most important link in the chain. “In discussing the various aspects of prison life we reached the subject of the long and dreary Sundays. Jack agrees with all those with whom I have talked that the long stretch in the cells, from the conclusion of the chapel service, between ten-thirty and eleven o’clock Sunday morning until seven Monday morning--over twenty hours, is a fearful strain both physical and mental upon the prisoners. “‘Well, Jack,’ I say, ‘from what I have heard Superintendent Riley say, I feel sure he would like to give the men some sort of exercise or recreation on Sunday afternoons; but how could it be managed! You can’t ask the officers to give up their day off, and you don’t think the men could be trusted by themselves, do you!’ “‘Why not?’ says Jack. “I look at him enquiringly. “‘Why, look here, Tom. I know this place through and through. I know these men; I’ve studied ’em for years. And I tell you that the big majority of these fellows in here will be square with you if you give ’em a chance. The trouble is they don’t treat us on the level. I could tell you all sorts of frame-ups they give us. Now if you trust a man, he will try and do what’s right; sure he will. That is, most men will. Of course, there are a few that won’t. There are some dirty curs--degenerates--that will make trouble, but there ain’t so very many of those. Look at that road work! Haven’t the men done fine! How many prisoners have you out on the roads! About 130; and you ain’t had a single runaway yet. And if there should be any runaways you can just bet we’d show ’em what we think about it.’ “‘Do you really think, Jack, that the Superintendent and the Warden could trust you fellows out in the yard on Sunday afternoons in summer!’ “‘Sure they could,’ responds Jack.... ‘And there could be a band concert.... And it would be a good sight better for us than being locked in our cells all day. You’d have fewer fights on Monday, I know that.’ “‘But how about the discipline! Would you let everybody out in the yard! What about those bad actors who don’t know how to behave! Won’t they quarrel and fight and try to escape?’