Report of the Judge-Advocate-General, U.S.A., to the Secretary of War for the Year Ending August 31 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 Excerpt: ... reduction have been to the battalion served but to emphasize the fact that this is the right road if we but "keep the faith." The establishment, of the disciplinary battalion and the inauguration of the honor system have had a marked effect in raising the general tone of the whole institution. It no longer seems like a prison. The hardened cases seem to have materially decreased. This is shown clearly by a decrease in the third-class prisoners (the incorrigibles) from an average of about 40, a year ago, to 15 to-day, and their number has even been lately below 10. The following table shows the changes in the strength of the battalion since the formation of the first company, October 14, 1913, to June 30, 1914: Battalion training necessary.--It has been evident for some time that a large number of eligible general prisoners were not asking for assignment to the disciplinary battalion, whose records entitled them to it had they but expressed the desire. It is certain that many of these prisoners desired to be recommended for reenlistment after their release from here. Two reasons are assigned for their avoidance of the training in the battalion: First, fear that they might not make good in the battalion, and, second, distaste for the hard and continuous work which the training In the battalion entails on its members. Realizing that the machinery of the disciplinary battalion exists for the purpose of training and instructing general prisoners who desire further military service, either by restoration or enlistment, I issuer instructions to the effect that all prisoners discharged from the military prison, who have had the opportunity of having military training with the battalion and who have not taken advantage of this opportunity, will not be re...