Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1889-05-01
Prison Laws.


changes in the laws governing and
the mode of treatment of the inmates
Of our state prison. The managers
of the prison have been increased
from three to five. The governor no
longer has the power to appoint the
warden, but he appoints the board OF
management. The new law author
ICES the managers to provide for the
employment of the prisoners OH one
of three systems-the "contract,' the
"piece price," or the estate account"
plan.
The general prison bill also aims to
educate the prisoners while they are
in confinement. \ school is to be
established in the prison, and this
school, in management and discipline,
Is to correspond as nearly as practic-
able with the common schools of the
state. The principal teacher Is to be
chosen by the board of managers and
they are to prescribe rules and regu-
lations. The warden is given the
authority to designate which of tie
prisoners shall be instructed. The
common English branches are to be
taught.
The use of intoxicating liquors by
officers is forbidden and the first act
Of intoxication Is made good ground
for removal.
Convicts are to be allowed free
communication with the warden and
with the managers. 1t is said that
heretofore it has been hardship to
convlcts that they have not been al
lowed this privilege. Often they have
wished to say something to the
warden and their only possible way
was to write a note to the warden and
give 1t to some guard or deputy.
These notes have often been read by
the guard and then torn to bits and
thrown to the winds, before the
prisoners very eyes.
Under the new law some officer, to
be designated by the warden is to
visit each cell twice each week for
any communication the convict may
have, and the warden is to acknowl-
edge to the man, the receipt of the
communication. For good conduct,
the convicts term of service is TO be
decreased more rapidly than hereto
fore, the good time deduction being
five days per month, for the first year,
seven days per month the second
year, nine days per month the third
year, and after the third year, ten
days per month.
In order to carry out the instruc-
tions of the law correctly and in
augurate the new system for the en-
ployment and management of the
prisoners, it will require for warden
not only an able man, but IL man OF
experience and one whose heart is In
the right place. A man who will
recognize the fact that criminals are
confined within the walls of prisons
for the purpose of reformation, not to
be tortured; to be made better in
stead of Worse men, so that when
they 60 out into the world again they
will not do so with feeling Of re:
venge for having been punished.
The warden Will have not only the
care OF the prisoner. but OH him will
dsvolye a good deal Of the work and
responsibility Of inaugurating a sys-
tenn of employment. The bill con-
templates this sort of man, for it
describes the man whom the man
ayers shall appoint as one who, from
practical experience possesses the
ability and qualifications NECESSARY to
successfully carry on the industries of
the prison, and who possesses the
executive ability essential to the
proper management Of the officers
and other employees under his juris-
diction, and to the enforcement and
maintenance of proper discipline in
every department. The salary Of the
warden is fixed at $3, 900 a year.