Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-11-08
THE UTAH PENITENTIARY.

u I'EMOCkAI W dSllllbtDu hlop"tN'
states that the Commission appointed
upon the Utah pententiary matter has
reported 1t suggests that an addition
be made to the present building. This is
evidently Il mistake. The Commission
decided that the best manner in which
the $4,000 appropriated by Congress
mot 100000 as enormously reported in
the dispatch) could be expended would
be to build within the present walls
substantial brick structure containing one
hundred and twenty iron cells, capable OF
accommodating two prisoners each. This
would furnish safe and comfortable quar-
ters for two hundred and forty convicts.
In addition to this it was reComme nded
that separate quarters be constructed for
the Warden and officers of the prison.
This work, it was estimated, could
be done with the amount appropri-
ated by Congress. Twas IL question
with the Commission whether or not to
which would cost about 500, 900, leaving
balance of 100000 to be otherwise ex-
pended This would not he sufficient to
make the necessary inside improvements,
50 it was finally decided to report as
above stated. In the DEMoCRAT's opinion
it would have been wise upon the part Of
Congress to have doubled the appropria-
ton, and certainly more economical in
Al 4 4. n. 1 II
would have constructed new wall en-
closing Il larger area than the present
one, and erected builings therein, capa-
BILE OF quartering twice the number OF
convcts that can be accommodated in
the proposed structure. 1t would in all
probability, have answered the purpose
for the next quarter of II century
at least, while the chances are
that in less than ten years an amount
more than equalling the present appro-
priation will have to be expended to in
sure the necessary penitentiary facilities
for the Territory, although the plan
recommended by the Commission was
drawn with II view to future additions.
These expenses will have to be borne by
the general government, as there is but
little likelihood Of Utah becoming State
before more money will have to be APP
propriated Tho plan recommended was
drawn by Richard Kletting, Esq, OF this
city, at the instance OF j. T. Jones,
agent for the 2. j. Pauling Co., OF ST.
Louis, penitentiary and jail builders 1t
is tho best that could have been de-
signed under the restrictions OF the
appropriation. The warden and officers
house will be at the main entrance of the
yard, the principal gate in fact being
under the building. The kitchen. steam
warming apparatus, prisoners dining
hall and other accessories will be in a
building separate but adjoining the pris-
oners' quarters, the former being con-
nected with the latter by an aperture,
which can be quickly and securely closed
when necessary. The iron cells will be
in the centre of the main brick building.
They will be three tiers high and an
equal number on each side. The cell
structure will be surrounded by cor
ridor which will afford ample inside
room for the prisoners during the
daytime. The guards gallery is in the
front, and sufficiently elevated to com
mand view OF the entire prison. All OF
the cells can be locked at the same time
by an improved patented invention,
worked from the gallery of the guards
The plan is as perfect in its details as
could have been designed under the cir
cumstances, and the recommendations OF
the Commission the most iudicious that
could have been suggested, considering
the present necessities and the amount
for their relief.