The advantages to the society from its co-operation with the state in this work are many. Perhaps the greatest is the fact that by this arrangement the records of all the commitments and discharges to and from all the prisons of the commonwealth, which are in the office of the prison commissioners, are open to the inspection of the agent at all times. Here the story of an applicant for aid can be verified or disproved immediately. In addition to the criminal records are many others, going more fully into the personal history and home conditions of those who have been in prison; all of this information is useful and necessary in dealing with the ex-prisoner. The saving in administration expenses, rent, and other items, leaves more funds available for the prime object of the society, i.e., help to the prisoner. During the year ending Nov. 30, 1910, this society has helped four hundred and sixty-three men, most of whom had served terms in the jails, houses of correction, and on the state farm. The assistance rendered has been generally in the form of transportation, meals and lodgings, room rent, clothing, tools, taking property from pawn shops, medicines, spectacles, etc. There has been expended during the year about $1,700. Notwithstanding the increase of population in Massachusetts there were 213 fewer prisoners on Oct. 1, 1910 than on the same date in 1909. ---------- =THE MINNESOTA DIVISION OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE FRIENDLESS= The Minnesota Division of the Society for the Friendless is a division of the National Society of the same name. It has been doing active work in the state of Minnesota since January 1st, 1909, when Rev. James Parsons came to the state as superintendent, under appointment of the national society. The work was carried forward for the first fifteen months under the direction of the national society. On April 8th, 1910, the Minnesota Division was formally organized. Its special motto is “education for the prevention of crime, and help for the prisoner.” It aims to arouse a more enlightened and humane sentiment toward the treatment of discharged prisoners, awaken a new interest in the improvement of laws, and show the forces that are at work to make criminals. Along relief lines it aims to do everything possible for the men while in prison, to find employment for them when they are discharged or paroled, and in cases where employment cannot be secured for them at once to furnish them with a temporary lodging place. It also gives such aftercare as each case seems to need.