Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: F, 1936-1966. A-71, folder 296. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

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like so much so until later please take care of yourself. Best of luck and may God's Blessings be with you in all your undertakings. Am light a candle for my Dad's soul Wednesday and will remember you in my devotion and prayer.

Always your devloted friend

Sincerely Mrs. Ann (Field) McDonnell

Please remember me to Miss O'Keefe and all I know.

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198 Woodrow Ave., Dorchester Mass March 16, 1950.

Dear Dr. Van Waters :

I was very much surprised when I picked up the paper Wednesday and read about more complications at Framingham. They're bound not to let well enough alone are they? What actually burns me up are those peopleopposing to things that don't know the first thing about such matters and they call themselves humanitarians.

The paragraph that interested me mostly was [aware? ?] indenture wasn't practiced in local county jails? What a real big laugh that is and also why it isn't practiced in Men's State Penal Prisons. If they stopped to think before they argue that point they have a losing argument

First of all in County Jails they are only shorttimers and [?] ways of obtaining freedom. In the Boston Charles St. Jail Mr. Grossman the local City

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Commissioner has the [?] to release drunks and [S.?] + D. Cases almost immediately if he so desires and on higher court cases if the inmate has had good behavior and half time of the sentence served Miss [Powers?] the high court probation offer through her superior and the judges signature can also release inmates. So much for County Jail.

Now the Men's Prison. In the first place I don't believe they sentence drunk cases there, nor casual misdemeanors and most unfortunates committed there are for [serious?] felony cases and long timers whereas in the Framingham Reformatory there are all types from stubborn children to lifers and as one that [?] you and your able staff can [coped?] wonderfully well in as much as placement, discipline and individual, analyses of every student that entered under your [?]

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capable, understanding, and humane jurisdiction.

If more institutions would copy your methods of [?] administration there would be more rehabilitated unfortunates and less deteriorating behind closed doors and prison walls.

Indenture is one of the most outstanding, beautiful ideas that one that knows and understands its great benefits could appreciate.

The papers state of how many have been [?] for failure to keep indenture Why don't they print the great amount that has made good and been very successful? That didn't feel lost after they left and what incpired them was to know that the society in general were not a condemning lot. Willing to fully co-operate with the unfortunate that really wanted to be helped.

Why don't they also print how many times two and three[?] broken parolees

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were brought back only to be given parole again? No things like that [are?] kept only [?] file.

I wanted so badly to go on the stand on the last [?] affair but didn't get the opportunity. I didn't care what it might have cost me as far as martial happiness was concerned but it hurts was down deep inside when I know so much of the real facts and can't tell the people off that don't really know a thing, and I'm still a loyal subject to Framingham and if I could get my say in please call on me at any time. Its about time the investigators heard from one who made good [the?] hard bitter way so heres wishing you Dr. Van Waters and the Friends of Framingham all the luck and success in the world to win out on this wonderful [?] of Indenture to make a world worth living for the past unfortunate friend. God Bless you and give you health and strength to carry on. Your most loyal friend Mrs. Ann (Field) McDonald

C B

Copy

[?]

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1167 Boylston St. Boston, Mass. Sep, 17, 48.

Miss O'Keefe.

Dear Miss O'Keefe -

Have been thinking about you + your big family there so decided to write.

I feel sick all over when lies and [??] about the best that insitution ever had.

There are still good people in this state who believe

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