Even though all were heavily influenced—negatively
or positively—by the Enlightenment mentality which
is often seen as leaning towards de-emphasizing religion (Deism
being one step away from atheism for some), they believed more in
God's plan and purposes succeeding than in their own ventures proving
fruitful.
Nevertheless, they did hold—notably,
because they saw the Divinity as Benevolent as
well as having endowed them with Reason as a tool to
achieve His purpose—that organizations
or institutions could be formed around Christian
virtues and even be instruments of
grace and religious conversion. As such, they called their penal
system a penitentiary.
First use of the word "penitentiary" is commonly
attributed to John
Howard, the English penal reformer.
Note: How many Americans, today,
would say that the prison system's purpose is
to have the offender repent and be converted? A rare few, if any.
This is part of a larger story whose telling is not necessary at
this juncture.
Continue—What
was "separate confinement"?
