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ALBERT MORRIS 176 HILLCREST ROAD NEEDHAM, MASS 02192
November 12, 1966
Dear Miriam
Your devotion to the cause of those who need help most and who are the least likely to get it is a source of never ending satisfaction to me as well as an inspiration. I am glad that Hayes has been given a chance and that he seems likely to use it to advantage. For some time I was quite undecided whether to mention narcotics in my report to you and I switched positions in my own mind three or four times before deciding that I had better do so because it would be awkward for his lawyer if the opinion that was expressed to me were to come up unexpectedly in court.
As you may know, I was formally retired because of my great antiquity - we have compulsory retirement at 65 at Boston University - and then they asked me to continue full time, which I am doing. My teaching, however, is limited to three seminars, two of which are open only to graduate students. My very able assistant, Sawyer Sylvester, who has a law degree as well as graduate degree in sociology and an undergraduate major in psychology, has taken over the basic courses in criminology.
However, I also find myself caught up in a new responsiblity as Director of the New England Correctional Manpower and Training Project which is a child of the New England Correctional Administrator's Conference and the New England Board of Higher Education Until next May I can give only part time to it which means that I have the glory and the responsibility and others do all the work. Fortunately I have Edwin Powers as my chief assistant and we are currently doing day-long interviews with Commissioners of Correction and Wardens as one small part of our study effort. If you have any ideas as to how to shake Massachusetts loose from its Alice in Wonderland personnel practices You might write me a book about it.
With all good wishes and warm regards
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE SUPERIOR COURT BOSTON
November 14, 1966
Dr. Miriam Van Waters, President Muscular Dystrophy Associations of America, Inc. 14 Clark Street Framingham, Massachusetts
Dear Dr. Van Waters
Chief Justice Tauro requested that I acknowledge and thank you for your kind letter concerning the defendant, Walter Hayes, presently an inmate at the jail at Dedham and working under the Work Release Program of Sheriff Hedges.
From the reports given to this office, the program is proving to be very worthwhile, and in time we hope to see it expanded throughout other correctional institutions of the Commonwealth. You have always, in your long career, bene in favor of progressive correctional rehabilitation programs, and we are grateful for your continued interest.
The Chief Justice sends his best wishes. It was good to hear from you again.
Yours very truly,
Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice
EJK:ntm
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[Typed]Please be aware: Rules and Regulations require that all letters be written in English and are subject to censorship and SHALL NOT contain criminal information or matters relating to other inmates or Jail Personel.[Typed]
From Walter E Hayes To Dr Miriam Van Waters Date 12-2-67 Address 14 Clark Street Cell No. 60 Relation Friend CityFramingham, Mass.
Dear Miriam
I got your most wonderous letter to me and you sort of gave me a mild lift when you stated how Frank wrote to you. Again to tell you the truth Miriam, I have always found it hard to lie, I am srictly greatful believe me and although I do have my phantasies, I never try to say or create the impression other than I am , which is, a simple and not too bright person. I know that my letter to you dated Feb 2nd was written in somewhat better lines but since then my attitude has returned back to normal, I think I wrote you once of my many moods. Miriam, moods, frustrations and etc, that grow possibly because I harbord many things inside of me along with the fact that Im strictly a loner, possibly all in their way help to contribute. Im sick in the head and I know it, with underlying chacter characteristics and when a person can admit that he has more than half of the battle won, anyway that is the way that I figure it. I hope that Im wrong and that I'm normal but maybe I'm a dreamer afterall because who would believe
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what I just wrote, huh, me who has spent half of my adult years in jails, as one judge put it as bluntly Miriam, I had to laugh though when I heard it coming from him, he put it so morbidly. I really never thought of it that way. Although you didnt quite condon what I wrote (in that bitter letter) I was deeply moved by your very clear understanding of my feelings at the time that I wrote it, that was believe it or not, around the tenth one that I wrote that I didnt tear up but the previous ones all wound up the same way, so I said to myself that if Im going to get a letter off to you, I might as well let this go through, this and this only is why you failed to hear from me prior to this. Ridiculous isnt it. I will be expecting you the last week of this month but if you cant make it, I will fully understand but in any event I really dont want you to put yourself out of your way, there are more things Im sure that are more important that command your attention than coming up here just to see me. It must be quite a feeling when your day is through Miriam. Knowing that you did your very best to help others as Christ did. You refuse to rest on any laurels. Its good getting the feel of writing to you every week and I feel so guilty when I couldnt get myself together and get a letter off to you as I should have done but believe me, I was so confused. God Bless you Miriam Your Friend always with Love Water E. Hayes