The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-01-10
THE INSPECTORS RECOMMENDA-
TIONS.


the subject of prison labor by visiting the
principal prisons of the northern states
make the following recommendations:
The number of inspectors should be increased
from three to ive and they should have the power
| to appoint the wardens of the state prisons. In
regard to the question OF what shall be done with
| the convict labor specific interest should be
allowed to interfere with the public good. ALI the
highest authorities on the subject agree that the
labor should be productive, and the product must
20 into the world market on the same footing rs
| any other products Of labor. The only question.
then left to settle is. who shall utilize the labor
We are convinced, by our observations. that where
| the contract system has not been disturbed by
unfriendy legislation the best results obtained
under that system. There is more cheerfulness
and better order, and better results financially.
We, therefore, unhesitatingly recommend the
| reinstating of the contract system. Judge Francis
| Wayland. President of the Rhode Island board
of prison inspectors: Hon. Pillsbury. War.
don of the BlackweIrs island psnitentiary; Col.
Wright. Warden Of the penitentiary at Allegheny.
Pa, and Col. Russell. Warden of the Massachu-
sets psnitentiary, are among the leading experts
this subject in the United states. and they are
emphatic in advising US to continue the contract
system. There must be good faith to the contract
ors. Unfriendly public sentiment and exaggerated
estimates Of the effect Of this labor free labor
have seriously interfered with the making OF con-
tracts in other states The feeling Of insecurity
for the capital necessary to be invested for the
profitable employment Of this labor causes TIM
dity. In view Of the uncertainty Of making salts
factory contract it will be necessary for the legis
lature to place sufficient sum Of money at the
disposal OF the inspectors to enable them
to employ the prisoners on state account
if it should be necessary. From the best infor-
mat on attainable we are OF the opinion that this
sum should not be less than $250000. 1t will be
necessary to give the inspectors authority to
this appropriation as a revolving fund to carry
OF business. We have arrived at this recommen-
dation after thorough and vigilapt examination
of the whole problem.-Pioneer Press.
1t is certainly admitted by all persons
who are acquainted with the subject that
the labor of all men should be productive;
and prisoners, belonging to the human
family, should certainly be made to labor
at something productive, regardless of the
''specific interest," of competing manufac-
turers. This part of the recommendation
certainly will be received with interest by
those who have been advocating hand
labor" and the ''chain-gang" and tread
MILL
By far the most important part of these
recommendations is that relating to con-
tract labor. The question to be considered
by the Legislature is: shall the contract
system be reinstated?" The Inspectors
have recommended it, but they also recon-
mend that sufficient sum of money. be
placed at their disposal to be used in estab-
fishing the state account plan should they
fail to make satisfactory contract. This
looks to us like a strange recommendation.
If the contract system is the best there can
be little doubt of the making of a contract
that will be SUFFICIENTLY SATISFACTORY.
If the state account system is preferable
why not make the direct appropriation and
start in on a basis of confidence and not
one of doubt and uncertainty? Both plans
are in vogue in the prisons of the country,
and it seems strange that Minnesota can
not choose definite plan and follow it out
If the recommendations of the INSPECTORS
prove anything it is, that either plan is good
enough if properly followed out They
show some fear of their ability to make
proper contract, but express more conf
dence in the state account plan by stating
the amount of money necessary to make it
a success. If such sum will make it a sue
cess why not start at once upon that plan?
There seems to be a fear. doubt, and if
we see clearly this doubt must follow the in
Stitution of any system. If the same con-
fidence was manifested in this matter that
is necessary to make any private business