The week before Christmas in 1938, convicted rapist Robert E. Hodges was allowed to walk out the gates of Montgomery's Kilby Prison, escorted only by a photographer from LIFE magazine. He had promised to return in January, and prison officials, backed by Gov. Bibb Graves, took him at his word.

AL.com File Photo

Incredibly, the vast majority of men paroled for Christmas returned to prison voluntarily -- enough so that Graves considered the program a success. Yet, the program ended in 1939, after 12 years.

(The photo above shows men visiting Kilby Prison in 1965. They are, from left, Sen. E.A. Hornsby, Rep. Tom Drake, Sen. Jimmy McDow.)

Don't Edit

Alabama Department of Archives and History

Gov. Graves, shown above in the 1930s, implemented the paroles in 1927 after inmates rioted over conditions. He would later tell the Associated Press, "The way to redeem an erring man is to show him a little kindness." Graves also said the release allowed the men to help their wives and children financially during the holiday season.

Don't Edit

AL.com File Photo

LIFE magazine planned a feature on the program and the photographer had chosen to follow Hodges, age 35, to the home where he lived with his wife and stepchildren, which was within walking distance of the Kilby Prison, shown above in 1928.

Don't Edit

AL.com File Photo

The LIFE pictorial showed Hodges dressed in a suit and tie, walking along the dirt road between Kilby and his home. He was also shown eating dinner with his family, then helping kill one of the hogs raised by the family for income. Above, prisoners at Kilby hung clothes on the line to dry in the prison yard.

Don't Edit

Alabama Department of Archives and History

The practice put the prison system in a good light yet officials were forced to defend it in the press each year. The 1939 LIFE story touted the practice as a success -- only 63 inmates of 3,023 had not returned over the years. The photo above shows the state prison in Wetumpka in the 1930s.

The story also pointed out that fewer inmates were earning the privilege of parole each year and fewer were returning voluntarily. Those who violated parole were caught and returned to prison and given additional punishment.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

AL.com File Photo

By 1935, other states were offering Christmas clemency, including Colorado, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. In some states even violent criminals were freed. In 1935, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that seven convicted murderers had been released: two in Massachusetts and five in Chicago. Above, Atmore Prison is shown in 1970.

Don't Edit

AL.com File Photo

In the fall of 1939, the Alabama legislature voted to create a board of pardons and paroles; one of its first acts was abolishing Christmas paroles. Above, Draper Prison is shown in 1983.

Don't Edit

AL.com File Photo

But Graves would always consider his plan a success, telling the Associated Press, "I believe a man who has sinned is entitled to a second chance ... I believe it is better fir these me to be free and in a position to assist their wives and children than keep them locked up in prison ... I have faith in human nature." Above, Holman Prison in 1983.

Information in this story is from the book "Christmas Tales of Alabama."