The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-05-05
THE NEW JAIL LAW.

The last legislature passed an I'M
portant measure relating to the con-
struction ana management of county
jails.
Section provides that the sheriff
shall keep true calendar of the pris-
oners committed to his care, to con-
tain, with other facts, the names of
all prisoners, place of abode, time of
confinement, the authority that COM
mitted them, and, If they are COM
mitted for criminal offenses, shall
contain a description of their per-
sons, and also the time and authority
of liberation and the time and man
ner of any escapes.
Section provides that copy of
the calendar shall be returned to the
Judge at the opening of each term of
the District court.
Section provides that the sheriff
shall appoint a jailor and matron,
the latter to receive such compenSa-
tion as the district judge shall deter
mine, not to be less than so cents for
each day when there are female prls-
oners confined in the jail. The jailor
is to receive not less than ST per day
when there are male prisoners, and
he is to be appointed with the consent
and approval of the district judge.
Whenever the number of prisoners
for the six months preceding
shall be ten or more the
sheriff shall have authority, with the
consent and approval OF the district
judge, to appoint night Waterman.
Sec. 10 authorizes the county COM
missioners to provide regular labor
for prisoners whenever and however
they may deem it advisable. This
labor shall be compulsory for prison
ers serving sentence, and may be al
lowed as privilege to prisoners held
for trial. The prisoners are not to
work outside of the Jail yard. The
expense Of tools and materials shall
be betrayed by the county and the
county shall be entitled to the earn
ings Of the prisoners.
Sec. Is provides that the keeper of
each Jail shall provide, at the expense
of the county, for each prisoner who
is able and DESTROYS to read, copy of
the Bible or new testament.
Sec. 10 provides that strict care
shall be taken to prevent young Grim
mails from communicating with
hardened criminals. Good reading
matter shall be provided for them.
Sec. % provides that whoever shall
escape from Jail shall serve from six
months to two years in the state
prison in addition TO the original
sentence, if recaptured.
Sec. rs provides that whenever it is
desired to erect a new Jail, the county
commissioners shall raise the money
needed by a tax levy or by issuing
bonds.
Sec. 81 provides that whenever a
Jail is insecure or otherwise unfit for
use the district judge, on the recon-
mendation of the grand jury or his
own motion, may issue his written
order condemning such Jail; or the
state board of corrections and char
tiles, by and with the consent of the
district judge, may issue a written
order condemning the jail; and after
being So condemned such Jail shall
not be used for the detention Of any
prisoner for more than "a hours at
any one time, except pending prelim-
mary examination, or while the court
is in session.
1t will be seen from this that when
jail is condemned, the county board
shall proceed to erect new one. The
Blue Earth county Jail has been con-
demned by all of the recent grand
juries, representing every township
in the county, and the county board
should proceed to have new jail
erected. A desirable lot has been
secured, and work ought to be begun
this year.