Elmira system

Elmira system, American penal system named after Elmira Reformatory, in New York. In 1876 Zebulon R. Brockway became an innovator in the reformatory movement by establishing Elmira Reformatory for young felons. Brockway was much influenced by the mark system, developed in Australia by Alexander Maconochie, whereby credits, or marks, were awarded for good behaviour, a certain number of marks being required for release. To this system Brockway added a new regimen of moral, physical, and...