The document discusses California's Preston experiment in inmate self-government, inspired by the George Junior Republic model, which aimed to engage youth in decision-making to improve the institution's environment. Despite initial successes, the experiment failed due to staff resistance and corruption among elected inmate officers. A study later concluded that corporal punishment had no effect on reducing escape attempts, leading to its prohibition.

1. www.cjcj.org
© Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice 2013
40 Boardman Place
San Francisco, CA 94103
The search for a better institution: The Preston Experiment in Self
Government
California’s experiment with inmate
self government.
Preston and the George Junior
Republic

2. www.cjcj.org
© Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice 2013
40 Boardman Place
San Francisco, CA 94103
The George Junior Republic Experiment
• Founded by William Rueben George
millionaire who began by sponsoring
summer outings for poor children
• Created long term residential program in
Freeville NY where youths were expected
to work as a form of payment
• Youths established government structure
modeled on United States government
• Inmates elected officiers
• Purpose was to engage youth in decision
making process
• Reduce conflicts between youth and staff
by incentivizing youth to promote a
favorable environment

3. www.cjcj.org
© Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice 2013
40 Boardman Place
San Francisco, CA 94103
Early Experiments in Self Government in American youth institutions
• New York House of Refuge established system of jury trials to decide discipline for rule violators with
youth serving as jurors (1825)
• Boston House of Reformation (1828) Superintendent EM Wells created system where youth could only
progress by a vote of approval from other youth
• de Tocqueville and de Beaumont praised Wells’ system but believed it would not survive without him.
(The system later collapsed once Wells departed)

4. www.cjcj.org
© Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice 2013
40 Boardman Place
San Francisco, CA 94103
George Junior Republic Movement
• California Junior Republic created in Chino (1907)
• Seven institutions established in six states by 1915

5. www.cjcj.org
© Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice 2013
40 Boardman Place
San Francisco, CA 94103
Calvin Derrick recruited for Preston Superintendent
Leading national advocate for George Junior Republic model

6. www.cjcj.org
© Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice 2013
40 Boardman Place
San Francisco, CA 94103
Preston Adopts a George Junior Republic Model
Attempt to govern through motivation rather
than force and threat
Youth elected their own officers to establish
rules
Started with company of older youths
Special privileges were extended to youth
who cooperated
Resulted in fewer escapes and a “changed
attitude”
Harsh discipline, military drill and use of the
lash continued

7. www.cjcj.org
© Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice 2013
40 Boardman Place
San Francisco, CA 94103
A failed experiment
• 1916 - Calvin Derrick resigns and
assumes position as warden Sing Sing
prison
• 1917 – major elected inmate officers are
found to be using their position to extort
money and favors from other inmates and
staff
• State investigations denounces system of
self government as a “howling farce”
• Derrick later acknowledged failure was
the result of staff resistance and lack of
acceptance by inmates

8. www.cjcj.org
© Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice 2013
40 Boardman Place
San Francisco, CA 94103
Preston: Outlawing of the Lash
• Kenyon Scudder requests a study from Dr. Warner Brown of UC Berkeley
• Study looks at the effectiveness of whipping as a deterrent to escaping
• Study demonstrated the lash had no effect on escape attempts
• Study coincided with investigations of abuse by state agencies
• Superintendent Montgomery forbids further use of the lash
• Scudder and Brown conduct follow-up study and found no discernable on youth escape
attempts when lash was outlawed.