The new Commissar was determined to learn as much about his job as possible--and in the shortest time. On his first day he visited the prison and began asking the men why they were there.
"I am unjustly accused," said the first prisoner.
"A case of mistaken identity," said a second.
"I was framed for political reasons," replied a third.
Each in turn insisted he was utterly innocent. This continued until he last man was brought forward.
"My name is Boris," began the man, "I am serving my sentence because I stole an expensive silver plate from the village church."
"What," exclaimed the Commissar, "Release this man at once. Turn him out, I say! I'll not have this miserable wretch contaminating the upright, innocent men in this prison ..."