The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-01-22

scriptiOn of the State RefOrmatOry We
Gull the following from the write up:
Each cell is Sx12 feet and each is pro-
vided with closet with sewer connections.
lavatOry with running water, an iron cot
with spring mattress. candle for light at
night. small mirror, pair of slippers and
chair; and on small table IN one corner
will be usually seen periodicals. papers and
school books. Back in the rear building
connected by brick passage way is first a
hall through which the prisoners file to re-
ceive their meals. which are all eaten in the
cells except that first grade prisoners have
dinner at long table where for an hour
they are allowed to eat and talk together,
an unusual privilege which has been found
great incentive to good behavior. The
hall opens into the kitchen, with its huge
range, heated serving table and other ap-
pllances; complete laundry with drying
room, steam wringer, irOner, etc.; store
rooms, where all the supplies of clothing,
shoes, etc., are kept. and mending room,
where the worn clothes are patched, sewed
and darned, and provision room. Every
where in these various departments young
men and boys are fonnd at work cooking,
washing dishes. washing, mending, clean
ing, and doing all the endless things that
are necessary about so large an institution.
Their activity, alertneSS and aptneSs are I'M
consciously noted, and it is not for some
time that the visitor realizes that these quiet
workers are all prisoners. They wear suits
of grey twilled goods that would not be dis
tinguishable from those of the working man
on our Ttreets and which indicate that by
good behavior they have been promoted to
the first grade. Each prisoner on entering
goes into the second grade and is dressed in
blue mackinaw. By good behavior he can
earn five good marks day or $50 month. If
he gets $50 in six consecutive months or $50
for five months cOnsecutively he is promoted
to the first grade and stays there so long as
he keeps his good marks up to 1875 month,
or if he drops and gets $50 the following
month. he is promoted again. If second
grade man fails for two months to get 1875
marks each he drops to third grade and
dOnS red machinaw. A month ago there
was but one red uniform in the prison.
First grade men also have various privileges
as to receiving more frequent visits from
relatives. writing oftener. etc., and having
remained in this class long time and
shown themselves worthy, they become
what are called TRUSTEES" TRUSTEES are
given considerable liberty. They are sent
outside the enclosure on errandS without
attention from the guards. One takes
charge of the stables and is out at all hours,
day or night, without watching; another
acts as assistant DOOkkeoper; others Tag"
for the officers, wait on their table, and go
and come with great freedom. None have
attempted to escape; they have pride in
their trustwOrthneSS and show it in their
manner and bearing. Undoubtedly mis-.
takes will be made sometimes in these men,
but where one proves unworthy probably
hundreds will be benefited. AS soon as a
prisoner has served the minimum length Of
time provided by law for his crime. he can
in the discretion of the Board of Commits
sioners be released on parole. and if for the
first six months after his liberation he OBJ
serves certain rules. his release becomes alb
sOlute. otherwise he is liable at any time to,
re- arrest. On their release each one is
helped to find profitable employment and
given the fund earned during his term, the
first grade being paid at the rate of 1919
cents per day and the second grade cents.
How Signor Blitz Sold a Hen.
In the first quarter of this century. a.
party of travellers was journeying down the
Missouri on fiat boat. The river was COW
cred with floating ice. and provisions scarce.
One evening. two of them, a school,
teacher, and Frenchman whose Occupa-
ton nobody could discover. went ashore to-
buy provisions at farm. house. The
/ u ,ko 20