The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-03-23
THE PENITENTIARY.

DR.. G. 4 Cole, Inspecting Physician of the
Territory, this week visited the penitentiary
and examined into its sanitary condition,
which, we believe, was found as good as
possible under the circumstances. But, in
many respects, the condition of that institu-
ton ls worse than 1t ever has been before
since Its establishment. There are in all
twenty-eight cells and sxty-six prisoners
two prisoners TO each cell available, while
sixteen are confined and sleep In the small
log building in the yard, formerly the Jail
building of this county. This is bad enough,
with the vitiated air consequent on such
budding together of humanity, but it is
liable to be considerably aggravated by the
spring term crop Of prisoners. When these
prisoners are employed at manual labor dur
ing the day, the evil effects of this gregarious
night poisoning would be TO some extent
counteracted by eight or ten hours open air
exercise, but as the number of prisoners in
creases their opportunities direction in this
are circumscribed. \ recent act of the
Legislature prohibits any Territorial pris-
oner from being worked outside the prison
enclosure, and, in addition TO that, the re-
cent contract Of the Territory with the
United States for two years, provides that
the proceeds Of all prison labor shall 90 to
the United States instead of the Territory,
as heretofore. In consequence of this, it
will be seen, the Governor Of Montana, or
the Attorney General cannot make a con-
tract for prison labor in the penltentiary en-
closure for term exceeding two years, from
tween the Territory aud the United States
may not be renewed. The result Of this has
been already that A. J. Davidson 81 Co.,
who had established harness shop in the
penitcntiary enclosure aud were employing
ten mel constantly, have annulled their
contract with the Territory aud will dis
continue operations on the 3lst inst. Con-
victs placed TO a trade are but apprentices,
generally, and their labor for the first year
or two is of but little benefit. Unless it
can be had for at least the time usually
required to learn such trade, there is no
benefit in employing it even at the nominal
price pad. This labor does not bring large
revenues, but It is something toward the
maintenance Of the prisoner; it keeps his
mind ana body employed; it gives him a
healthy condition Of each, and counteracts
the tendency to a morbid condition; and it
makes him better prepared TO become
good citizen AMI TO earn an honest living
after he obtains his freedom. If the prison
is in any sense reformatory institution,
the best and lifelong benefit it can invest
q prisoner with is a trade. And speaking
of this, II IS rarely that a man who as a
boy learned mechanics trade and followed
his avocation is ever found inside prison
walls. That which is good aud safe to
start voting man with inlo the world Is
good and safe tlr0G 10 start an admit with
when he cmerCes again Ia the world from
behind prison bars.
The condition a. the prs"n 4. ,:csrrt is
such that, except the few mem 'I"p'"y+a
in cooking ard policing, ;h"r" is y" "r"u-
phtiOu iOi lI' p'iN'1'I4S "f' ~ VIA NSIi WI
them disastrousiy, mentally and physically.
The day Of iycadmills and packing sand
bags has gone by. They can be marched
for exercise 10 limited cXtert in the yard,
but this will not be suili ,rnt physically or
We repeat, therefore, that the
conditions are worse than they ever have
been, and we trust DR.. Cole will find it
within his province to make bis report
general, conveying his views of the matter.
With an appropriation by Congress or the
Territory sufficient to procure fuel and
stone the prison labor could be largely
utilized on the grounds Of the penitentary
making brick and building wall enclosure,
or for the completion Of the building; but
this cannot be done without money and none
Is available. 1t is best that prisoners should
not be employed in town, but every one Of
them able for duty should be kept constantly
at work at some useful occupation, and any
legislation or complication that prevents this
is an evil to the prisoners and the public.
We hope the authorities will investigate this
matter and see if some means cannot be de-
vised to keep the convicts employed.