The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-10-15
The Wage.Earning System.

The Wage-Earn1ng System.
The management Of the Elmira Reform
atory believe they have discovered 1.-The
missing link of a unified effectual reforma-
tory prison system" A few months ago an
experiment was begun of making the
prisoners wage earners. Accounts were
opened with 200 men. 1t is essentially a
modification of the marking system, and
''dOllars and cents are made to stand for
debts and credits in demeanOr, labor and
school work in place of reports. tasks and
percentages" The experiment has proved
so satisfactory that it has been determined
to put the system into operation. expert
mentally. for the whole institution. The
Summary. published in the RefOrmatOry,
describes the new system as follows:
Each man will be credited with his earn
ings in labor. for every full days work of
eight hours at the rate of IS cents per day
in the second As cents per day in the lower
first. and SIS cents per day in the upper first
grade. Labor for the present will consist
of the daily occupation during the eight
working hours. In the task industries an
additional credit, at the grade rate. will be-
given for all work in excess of requirement,
In the trades school debit will be incurred
by an average marking of less than IS per
cent on the same basis as a debit in study is
made. Reports for dereictiOn in labor will
operate to increase the labor debit on the
same scale as demeanOr reports.
Time occupied by military drill will be
paid at the following rates: Privates, at the
grade rate; corporal, lower first. 4S cents;
upper first. So cents; 3rd sergeant. 60 cents;
2nd sergeant. 60 cents; 1st sergeant. 65
cents; End lieutenent. IS cents; LIST lieuten-
ant, 70 cents; captain. rs cents per day.
In conduct. fines will be imposed on the
basis of demeanOr reports as follows: Third
class (pink) Is cents; 2nd class yellow 80
cents; LIST class (chOcOate) at the discretion
of the General Superintendent.
In study dement, of $1.00 will be incur
red for failure in any subject where the
marking is not below so per cent below so
per cent and not below Is per cent, So. 90;
below 25 per cent, $500.
From his earnings each man will be re-
quired to pay for what he receives: in board
and lodging at the rate of 25 cents per day
in the second. 80 cents per day in the the
lower first, and 40 cents per day in the up
per first grade; in clothing. at an established
schedule of prices (subjOined); and in med
ical attendance, at the rate OF Is cents per
visit. While for the present the prices of
board are inflexible. plan is under consd-
Grafton by which his expenditure in this
direction will be placed in the control of
each inmate.
For the sake of comparison it may be
added that debit of 81. 90 in conduct. study,
or labor is equivent to one mark under the
system of nines and the effect on grade
promotion will be the same. Reduction in
grade will cancel any balance to the credit
of the man reduced.
Debts once incurred may be made up as far
as their effect on grade promotion, restOra-
ton. or reduction is concerned. in exactly
the same manner as marks are regained
under the system of mines.
1t is intended that any total credit bal
ance obtained under this system shall be
placed at the disposal of the inmate earning
it, either as a fund to be paid him on re-
lease. or possibly as means Of ameliOrat-
ing his condition while here.
PRICE.IJST OF CI.OTHING AND OUTFIT