The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-02-12
~ saltwater, Mimi, Thursday Feb. 1891.

cient capacity to accommodate double our
present population, and furnishing greater
convenience at a much reduced cost for fuel,
and producing more uniformly we'll cooked
bread. The prison was entirely without
means for bathing in winter with the ex-
ceptiOn of one bath tub. 1 put in bath
room with five spray baths at an expense of
about one hundred dollars ($1OO) and now
we are able to bathe all our inmates in one
day. l have the retaining wall nearly COM
pleted. and will finish it by Nov. 18th, with
the exception of the coping and gutter, and
a short piece on the north side. near the
north. east corner gate, which should be fin
ished the first thing in the spring. That
you may better comprehend the magnitude
of this work on the retaining walls, 1 will
say that the cost of the stone alone is
$11, 895. 80. and lime, sand and cement
about SO, 50O.0 90; this work, with the excep.
tiOn of an Overseer and two masons, has
been wholly done by convict labor, at saw
ing to the state of 100000. / have com.
menced moving the electric plant over to
the engine-rOOm where it can be run much
cheaper than in the old place. l also
painted all the roofs and cornices. and
much of the inside work of the buildings,
and repainted the roofs again this summer,
so that they are now in good condition.
This department female department. is
under the charge of Mrs. Harriet Walker.
The number of female cOnvicts on August
3. 1889 was four; at present there are five;
one having been discharged and two re.
ceived during the past year, and one will be
discharged in few days. The department
is kept neat and clean, and the inmates are
employed at ironing. mendng, darning
stockings, etc., and are generally as con-
tented and happy as persons we'll can be
under such restraint.
In the matter of discipline my aim has
been to unite frmneSS with kindness. 1
have always borne in mind the fact that
the men in my charge were invested with
the humanity common to us all, and hope
and believe that the result, as shown in the
subsequent lives of those released, will bear
testimony to the good effect of the treat
ment received here. have striven. as far
as possible. to learn something of the life,
history and early surroundings and in
fuences which have affected the lives of
those under my charge, and to treat each
case on its merits. In what l have said, I
proper discipline. believing as do in the
union of firmness with kindness.
The library is in good condition. I have
an order in for about three hundred vol
umes of standard and miscellaneous works,
which when received will give us total OF
about sixteen hundred volumes. The Ii.
brary is supported as formerly by fees col
lected from visitors. the profits of PRISON
MIRROR, and voluntary contributions, and
there is an increased demand for sound
reading by the inmates.
THE PRISON MIRROR makes its
appearance regularly every Thursday. 1t
has paying circulation of four hundred
and fifty (45O), and an exchange list of
about three hundred and thirty $500. and
constantly receives very flattering notices
from papers all over the country. The ex-
changes are distributed among the inmates,
and make an acceptable addition to the
other literature provided by the library.
We have Chautauqua Circle consisting
of thirty members, who read in their cells,
and meet in the afternoon of every second
Sunday. The Rev. j. 81. Albert is present
at those meetings to help and instruct them
in their course of reading.
have a room nearly completed for a
recitation room. and think that you should
employ competent teacher at once. Many
of the younger inmates. being unable to
read or write, if furnished an opportunity,
would readily avail themselves OF it, and
better prepare them to meet the require
ments of self support when discharged.
This room will do for temporary use, but 1
would suggest that there be a suitable
building erected for a school, library. and
reading room. at the south end of the cell
building to cost from four to five thousand
dollars ($4. 900 to $4,000.
The appropriations necessary for running
the prison the ensuing two years will de-
pend upon the system or systems of labor
in vogue. If the contract system is used,
either wholly or in part. less money will be
needed than if the prison is run wholly on
the state account system. The present con-
tract with the Minnesota Thresher Mfg
Co. expires October 1st. 1891. The proceeds
of the prison. labor for the two years ending
at that date, are applied In payment Of the