The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-03-27
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
PRISON LABOR.
BALTIMORE. March IL. 1890

BALTIMORE, March 10, 1886.
The following article deserves attentive reading
it embodies the convictions of gentleman who,
for many years has been identified with Prison
Reform.
When sentenced to confinement in the Peniten-
tiary, it is understood, that far the convict
is physically able, he is to be compelled to hard
labor. Prison ethics secure him wholesome and
sufficient food, comfortable bedding and protec-
ton from cold. He is to be securely confined,
and not to be made worse either in mind or body
from his imprisonment. 1t is due also to the
taxpayer that the convict shall earn by his labor
his proportion of the expense of the prison.
In some states convicts are leased out for min
ing purposes, digging out iron ores, constructing
railroads, farming service and on public works.
In these grades Of employment they, in the imme-
date neighborhood, largely supplant and inter-
fere, man for man, with the humblest and most
helpless of local unskilled labor, hence the riots
within the present month in the mining regions
of Kentucky.
The system of out of prison work, camp labor
it is called, produces a mortality of from 5 to
6 per cent. annually; it affords opportunities of
escape, and it excuses the pursuit of the fugtives
with bloodhounds.
That the convicts ought not to be employed
outside of the prison is obvious and it will not be
possible to work them otherwise without interfer-
ing more seriously than now with skilled or I'M
skilled labor. The latter class of labor from it's
very hepessness, deserves consideration and will,
if opposed by prison labor, suffer far more from
the cause previously given. An appeal is there
fore made to the sober judgment of the General
Assembly not to interfere with the best system yet
divised to carry out the penal laws of the State.
The prison officers have done their best to avoid
conflict with local skilled labor, and feel assured
the result, stated in this paper, cannot be sue
cessfuly controverted.
The Maryland Penjtentary is now more than
self-supporting. Its mortality is but one per
cent. Less than four hundred of its inmates are
employed altogether on contracts. Fully eighty
per cent. of its manufactured products shipped
out of the State. Probably nearly the entire
,ioentD per cent sold in Baltimore wond otherwise
be supplied by factories, or prison shops, of the
New England or Middle States. Hence, by tho
selection of special industries by the directors
comparative harm results, in their opinion, to the
skilled labor interest of this city or State.
Not only no harm, but the industries there give
employment and pay the highest wages for al
least fifty competent employees, both in and out
of the prison, who are citizens of good standing.
The contractors also buy material in this mar.
ket to the extent of, probably, quarter of mil
lion dollars.
Abolish the various industries now existing il
the Maryland Penitentiary much will be lost to
the city of Baltimore, large trade interest, and
all its advantages and the employment of num-
Der Of citizens.
The taxpayer must then meet all the expen
ses. The Legislature must provide one hundred
and fifth thousand dollars for the coming two
years to that end.
The Penitentiary is now sef-sustaining.
Its labor interferes very slightly with local in
| terest.
Its existing system gives employment to many
citizens of good repute
1t causes large purchases in this market.
ts re- indi he ad IN Y
of its labor to the necessities of the situation.
Why not let we'll enough alone?
Why not leave to experienced Directors, whos'
anxious study is to discharge their duties with
the least possible interfering with honest labor
the management of prison labor?
| The effect of idleness under restraint may b
here well stated in the words of report upon tn
| subject made many years ago: ga considerable
number of prisoners fell even after short con
| fnement, into a semi fatuous condition, from
| which it next to impossible to arouse them
| others became violently insane; others still com
mitted suicide, while those who stood enforced
| idleness better, not reformed"
The questions involved in prison management
| are but two
ENFORCED LABOR!
ENFORCED IDLENESS!
| The pains and penalties of idleness can hardly b.
| conceived within prison walls, and labor, if en-
| forced at ALL should there be enforced impartially
considerably and proftably.
The first reproach to an offender against thu
laws protecting is, "Why steal? Why not worl
for your living?" Offended society after convic
ton sentences him to compulsory labor, and en-
forces the sentence to make him honestly carr
,oithin prison ,caNs, what he was reproached fol
not doing, when at liberty-his maintenance
AS a celebrated writer (Burton) put it, 'idlenes
is the chief author of all mischief of the sever
deadly sins, the cushion on which the Devil chief
ly reposes, and great cause not only of melan
choy but of mischief, crime and disease; henc
compulsory employment is not only the penalt!
| but the antidote of crime"