ENPages That Mention The State
Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: N, 1949. A-71, folder 327. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
(seq. 30)
Gov Dener - I am a mother of 4 small children who at this present time are being cared for by the City of Boston Their Dad has been out of work for quite some time.
Why I state this to you Sir: Is to show you how much I could of benefitted by day Work if we Women here had not lost that priviledge taken away from us by the present Com of Correction
My story is similar to every woman here, they want to leave here independent, and not look for pity & charity of others.
Is it not hard enough Gov Dever to know that one has done wrong and is more than willing to mend their way of life.
The State does not provide for the Woman Offender after she has paid her debt to society which 9 out of 10 cases is so very severe - the price justice asks.
Gov Dever if more folks would open both their minds and hearts to the Women of Framingham I can guarantee you sir: that there would be less women before the Courts of Mass
Dr Van Waters to each and everyone of us is the Grandest person that God ever put on the face of this Earth. The battle to rebuild these broken lives gets staggering at times and she needs all the help and support that she can receive so that her fight for which she fought so gallantly a few months past will not be in vain.
Gov Dever I make this plead to you, for I know that you are a great Chrisitan & provider of truth & rightness
Please help Dr Van Watersall you can in bringing Framingham the priviledge of restoring us to Day Work for which we all are so badly in need of.
From the Student Body I write this God Bless you & Keep you Forever Our Friend of Framingham
Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: G-L, 1954-1967. A-71, folder 592. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
(seq. 6)
[Stamped]CENSORED SEP 2 1965 CORRESPONDENCE DEPT M. C. I WALPOLE[Stamped]
September 1, 1965 Box #100 S. Walpole, Mass.
Dr. Miriam Van Waters 14 Clark Road Framingham, Mass.
Dear Dr. Van Waters:
Life sometimes takes strange twists and it certainly has for me during the past year.
Two years ago, as a member of the Marlboro Junior Chamber of commerce, I promoted and chairmaned a fund raising drive in behalf of a very worthy cause - Muscular Dystrophy. At that time I had the pleasure of meeting and working with members of the Framingham Chapter MDAA including yourself. Perhaps you now still recall or remember me.
Today I am incarcerated at Walpole State Prison. I made a grave mistake, I was convicted for counterfeiting, and I'm currently serving a 4-7 year term.
Being an outstanding penologist for many years, you fully understand what prison life is like. As for myself, adjusting to the life of an "inmate" has not been easy, especially since this marks the first time that I have ever been in trouble. However, I cannot escape the fact that I'm here and I must make the best of it.
Meanwhile, my first concern is that of keeping my family together. As you probably know, the State operates three forestry camps where certain prisoners are assinged to serve out their time. These camps offer greater visitation privileges than Walpole. This is especially true where children are concerned.
I have three children and my wife is expecting another this month. I don't want to harm them or create any mental blocks by having them continue to visit me here at Walpole. The children are all quite young and I don't think seeing walls, guards, steel doors, etc., does them any good. Therefore, I am writing to you in hopes that you might help me in getting transferred to the forestry camp at Carver, Massachusetts, as soon as possible.
I want to thank you again for your kind attention to this letter, until I hear from you, I remain.
Sincerely yours
Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: G, 1965-1970. A-71, folder 597. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
(seq. 8)
2.
went to court, I was informed that I had other charges placed against me. The charges were, contributing to the deliquence of a minor, & an unnatural act. I wasn't sure just what was what but I was told that if I saved the state the time & money that I would receive a five year sentence. If I tried to fight it I was informed that I would get the maximum of ten years for stealing the car. I knew that they could do this so I did indeed plead guilty. After pleading guilty with the promise of receiving no more than five years, the judge announced in the court - "Have you been promised anything by anyone at all here in this court room"? Naturally I had to say no. Then when I ever heard him read out the sentences to be served on & after one another & the amount of time I was getting. I was completely unable to believe my ears. The sentences handed down were 3 1/2 - 5 years for unnatural act to start after the 6-8 I was serving & 5-8 for using a car without