The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-01-23

ture per capita will diminish, of course. a.
the number increases, and 1t does not ap-
pear even now that the cost is very
muca greater than states East having
Below I give comparison approximately
correct between our prison and the states
prison Of Vermont, which last year had 1O5
prisoner in her penitentiary (the number
now ut Sioux Falls):
Total cost OF salaries and labor for two
Total cost .t Sioux Falls for two years, ''-'''' %
not including pav Of directors or war
Total cost oi maintenance Of Vermont 1s'a 70
prison, for two years, not counting
buildines repairs and improvements. s7.2os 90
not inoludine fuel. clothing or Lights. $500 90
Total Gust psr week Per fnmate......... Sl3
Average cost Per inmate At Sioux Falls,
as e Per directors statement: 500
oGss piI Mss1 Pis nate In Vermont
Cost psr week per inmate Il Sioux Fail: y"
for officers and guards. ............... 20e
Average number Of inmates TO each per.
son employed regularly in VERMONT. ia
Average at Sioux Falls. lls.............., 6A
Average amount per year for four years
paid Vermont .. income from prison. lo.oa5 72
prison ut sioux Falls. E,s27 90
Net cost per week per inmate in ver- ' ~
Estimated cost per inmate per week for o.
ensuing two years at Sioux Falls.... 225
These are but hasty figures and based on
insufficient data, but 1t is hoped that the
complete report Of the directors Of the Sioux
Falls penitentiary will show . full statement
Of all expenditures in detail. in order that q
reliable comparison may be made with what
ts recognized a. one Of the most economical
state institutions In the country. The esti-
mate OF the directors of the Southern peni-
tentiary for the ensuing two years Is In
round numbers $68 800. This IL for the or
pf khn
is made on basis Of 13b prisoners. No
calculation Is made for the earnings Of pris-
onera The estimate Of the directors OF the
Bismarck prison for the Same purpose Is
$50, ,652. This is based on an estimaxe Of
two years The directors of the latter prison
also ask for an appropriation to make GER
tain improvements amounting in all to $47, =
800. Some Of these improvements, such as
o Workshop. heating and plumbing, tempo
rary n ~ yard wall, sewerage: etc. are necessary
ors also submit q full report of their expend-
itures in constructing the prison, with such
Recommendation and suggestions as they
have thought necessary. The building
seems to be well adapted to it's purpose. and
be made no Doubt, when the wants of the
territory require it. . structure Of harmo-
NOUS design and finish.
The prison at Sioux Falls Is Of an imposing
design, and would be regarded anywhere as
an admirable structure for the purpose. The
warden's residence adds much to the appear
ance OF the structure. and makes 1t altogether
one Of the most complete penitentiary build
ings In the West The whole edifice is capa-
ble of accommodating two hundred prison
err, but whst disposal will be made of the
10 still uncertain. The directors have been
TN correspondence with the attorney general
OF the United States, with q view to assuming
control OF II, agreeing in return to care for
a.. United States prisoners free Of charge
What will be done, or whether under the law
any contract Of this character can be made.
10 Q matter OF some doubt The whole prison
In capable OF accommodating. two hundred
prisonerA II II can be controlled by the ter
ritory, the accommodations thus furnished,
together with those Afforded with the Bis
sufficient for tho necessities Of the territory
without further enlargement before the next
meeting of the legislature It Is important.
however, that this question be settled and q
careful estimate be made, In order that the
present legislature may make such prepara-
that something definite will be known before
the adjournment, when action can be taken.
One building Of the North Dakota insane
asylum provided for by the last legislature,
and located at jamestown, has been COM
pleted, and the report of the trustees is pre-
sented herewith, This asylum, which is de-
signed on the modern cottage plan. can Of
course be enlarged to any extent The pres
ent building win accommodate fifty patients
The increase In the number of the insane is
very large; and. although accommodations
are already provided In the territory for $50
patients, fear that additional provision
must be made to meet the neceshties of the
next two years. There are already fifty pa
tients or more from North Dakota (the full
capacity Of the Jamestown buildine) in the
institution st YanktOn.. The trustees of the
Jamestown hospital ask for an appropria-
tton foran additional building, and submit an
estimate therefor. They also ask for an ap-
preparation Of $86, 500 for the maintenance
aud Improvement Of the present hospital for