The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-03-26
THE MONTANA PENITENTIARY.


Justice, the head of which, the Attorney
General, has not only signif his willing
ness to, but has entered into, contract with
the Territory to keep its convicts, other
than United States prisoners for certain
amount per diem-75 cents. 1t follows by
implication that the United States, by its
representative, the Attorney General agrees
to sufficiently maintain, adequately guard
and care for and furnish humane accommo-
dations to couvicts. The present cell room
is inadequate for that purpose, and bad 10
rapidly becoming worse.
In 1867 Congress diverted 5000 Of the
internal revenues, when they should be
collected in Montana, to the building of
penitentiary, which was located, and in
1870 built, at Deer Lodge. or the appre-
priation only $4,000 Vas expended, as
that amount was sufficient to build ono
wing, and $40, 900 inadequate to construct
either the other wing or the central build
ing. Ten thousand dollars was covered
back into the Treasury. The plans pro-
vided for fourteen cells, which were built.
subsequently, when the increase OF prison.
ers demanded it, another tier Of fourteen
cells was placed above the first, the win
dows were grated, iron sta'rways placed,
and the prison corridor separated from the
guard corridor by iron work. The expense
was about $4,000.
he ttv In ahaOlufa that AL
ditional cell room be provided. The num-
Der of cells is %. They are scant 7xS feet
In size. There are now in the prison Al
convicts, two of whom are women. This
necessitates placing two convicts In each OF
IS oells-cells never designed to contain
more than one, and certainly as small
space as il is humane to limit one person to-
All the prisoners whose terms expire this
spring have been liberated, aud It is esti-
mated the jails of the several counties con-
tain AZ least dozen more persons who will
be convicted Of felonIes at the
ensuing terms Of District Courts. 1t is
fair to assume that by autumn all the cells
will have two inmates. The advent OF the
railroad aud the incidental large increase
of population is ominous Of increased fell
| ony. Aside from the unusual influx OF
bad men and women when railroad com
munication Ia established to prosperous
mining country, it follows in the very ma
ture of increased population that crime
will be augmented. What will be done
with our prisoners after the prison is filled
to it's normal capacity? Three men can
not be placed in each cell two should moi
be.
IL being the property OF the United
States, which has CONT acted to keep them
1t devolves on that government to provide
ADEQUATE prison room. This contract. l!
no other refs,n existed, prevented the
Legislature OF Montana from authorizing
the Governor to contract for their incarcer.
alton In the Nsbrs'ka Penitentiary, and
the Montana PenitentiaIy is the only one
to which our courts can sentence for felony.
Under the circumstances it is therefore the
bounden duty OF Congress, Presidential
year or no, to make provision at this Sos
sion for the proper care OF our convicts.
II Ii q matter OF surprise that 1t has moi
been done before. At the December term
of Court, 1878, the United States Grand
Jury for this district earnestly advised 1t
ut the December term OF Court, 1879, the
Territorial Grand Jury for this district
urgently supplemented the United States
Grand jury report recommending 1t, and
the Eleventh r 4 ilas Legislative Session
OF Montena 10 1879, whe the number OF
convicts was only "a, memorialized Con.
gress to appropriate money at the next SEES
sion to complete the building, alleging that
ga kre ter number Of prisoners cannot be
"confned therein without danger to their
sheath and security" Since then the
number has increased to Al without any
additional room. Surely these representa-
lions are entitled to the favorable consider
ations Of Congress. 1t Is self-evident, in
exorable necessity In one Of the most i'm
portant departments of government which
Congress cannot justify itself in ignoring
or refusing to relieve.
There may be some question as to what
should be dtpe. An additional IA cells
might - placsl, third tier on top oil
the Others. This would probably, with
the iron stairways, galleries and gratings
necessary, cost 90, 900. But 1t would throw
the upper tier close to the iron root, which
| Is very hot in the summer, would be IN
healthy on account Of the bad air arising,
would be too remote from the guards, and,
withal, Is not deemed entirely secure.
Besides, the 40 cells thus secured would
barely bridge present requirements. 1.-THE
other wing shall be built as the present one
| 10, % additional cells would be secured,
and, as the prison labor can be utilized for
consider able of the work aud prices have
materially d,er,a. ed since 1870, the entire
wing might be constructed for gel, 1000.
| This would still necessitate the warden and
guards to occupy the exterior log buildings
In the enclosure, but would be vast i'm.
provemept on lie "third tier" plan. The
better plan would be to complete both the
wing aud central building according to
the original plans. 1t has been ten years
since the bdilding was commenced. It's
construction has n 1t k'pt pace with the
requirements Of its purpose. We believe
1t Is the general policy Of the government
to complete all public works commenced,
and in this case there Ii vital need Of
completion. The cost woald probably not
exceed $s5, 900 or $40, coo, and diversion
of the u. s. internal Revenue collected ID
Montana, the larger part of which Is col
lected o, tax ON liquors, whi,h are mos,
productive Of crime, would be fully ade.
qua,e aud eminently appropriate fri m the
stand point Of natural compensations. We
understand the Warden, Marshal and De-,
egate are about to make supreme effort to
accomplish this laudablo purpose, and cv
cry consideration Of public welfare induces
the earnest hope that they win be success
full. Certsiuly nothing should enlist more
active attention or command more favora.
BILE consideration by Congress. III, facts
are indisputaole aud the G Is urgent for