The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-25

the yard appeared clean and well cared for; the
cell walls we're whitewashed. and appar ently
every precauton taken for the prevention OF
the spread OF cOntagiOn. The committee was
present at three meals OF the pr iSOnerS ana
tasted their food and found It wholesome. OF
some variety and in plenty. The committee
made personal investigation Of every cell In the
penitentiary and interrogated the prisoners as
to their complaints, and the general reply was
that everything was satisfactory so far as treat
m nt care and food were concerned. gen
eral desire was expressed among the unem-
ployed for work. something to occupy their at
tentiOn and time, the fiabby pale faces, the rest
less eye and the palsed hand testifying TO the
inhumanity of allowing perfect inaction. The
prisoners are taken out for exercise daily, the
weather permitting, but. In the opinion OF your
committee. there should be more employment
allowed. Ii has been possible to use about lJO
able-bOdied long-termed men, In the building OF
the wall. a few men are used by the contractors
at their ranch about a mile from the prison In
raising vegetables, etc, for the use OF thc
pr sou, a few are employed as cooks, etc, YET
there are always in the neghborhood OF 100
men absolutely unemployed. IL was FOUND
that men who we're allowed TO 60 10 the ranch
enjoyed the labor. and many begged for the
privilege. The contract with the state Is silent
upon the subject OF taking the prisoners out
side of the prisen walls to work. or Indeed work
ing them at all. but your committee believe tnat
the Work given Dy the CONTAGIOUS 10 tho Suh-
victs. either on the inside or the outside OF the
walls, has been OF great benefit. Upon their
discharge, the contractors have been IN the
habit OF paying men who have been employed
on the ranch for their time, and many leave the
penitentiary with from $40 to S75, money earned
and granted them by the contractors as q re-
ward for faithful service.
As TO ESCAPED PRISONERS.
An investigation was made by the committee
into the escape OF the three prisoners on the
10Th or 3Oth Of May last, and considerable testl-
mony taken in relation thereto. IL was found
| that 10 men were AT wOIk on the ranch, under
| the supervision OF George savage, a guard, and
| these three men. Russell, Philpot and Good
ness all OF whom had but short terms TO serve
and were known as TRUSTEES while planting
| vegetables, escaped. Ivory effort was mad by
| the contractors for their recovery. They eN-
| pended in cash s57l 81. which does not include
| the time of themselyes and four guards, who
| were out hunting the escaped conVicts. A re-
| ward OF 5000 was offered for the capture OF the
| men, and 1000 dodgers sent all over the coun-
| try The guards, sherifs posse AMI the con-
| tractors were on. hunting the men for six weeks
| and one man is now employed in tracing the
| fugltiyes.
| HEALTH OF THE PRISON.
| The prisoners health, which appeared good,
| is under the care OF a competent physician, who
| takes personal pride In the care OF the inmates.
| A record is kept OF every case treated, the ma
| ture Of the treatment and the result. IL was
| found upon examination that the larger po.sion
| of the diseases were such as wouldb contracted
| outside OF the prison walls. coENc. has been
educated as an assistant 10 the physician IN
| charge, and it was asserted tn { his experience
| and training had fitted him TO treat neariy every
case OF minor degree In the prison.
| THE ''rRUsrIE" SYSTEM.
The "trustie" system is used 10 a largo extent
| In the penltentary. BY this system prisoner
of good behavior is permitted certain privileges
| which are not granted to prisoners OF less eX-
| emplary conduct. These privileges consist in
being allowed greater freedom of action and
speech The TRUSTEES who are employed on the
ranch, who herd and milk the COWS, keep gates
under the towers where the guards are, carry
wood, etc The stables, which are situated out
side of the walls are In entire charge OF the con-
yicts, who there tend the cows and horses. IL
is believed that this system is n practicable and
safe one and that the privileges are seldom
abused; this is evidenced from the fact that
only three prisoners have escaped from the
| prison in hve years. a lruS.ie Is never al
lowed outside the walls after sunset and all
| prisoners employed at the ranch are returned To
the prison at nlghtfal. rhh committee believe
that system such as is in vogue In certain
| other states aud known a, tho 'plrO system
would be OF benefit to Mon lana Under its pro-
| visions a long termed convict who has really
repented OF his crime, is granted u discharge
| from the prison on condition that he lives an
| upright life. lie is not permitted TO leave GER
tain bounds and Is always under the watehiul
| care OF the state IL Is believed thai this sys-
| TEN will be OF incaculablc benefit and save 10
| the state many hundreds OF dollars.
SYSTEM OF PRILON SCHOOLS.
| A great quantity of school books were found
on hand at the prison and the pris
) | oners expressed In many Instances desire TO
learn II is believed that steps should be taken
by tho appointment OF a superintendent OF
| prison schools, who shall have entire caarge OF
the teaching of the prisoners There are many
conyicts capable OF assisting I'm the teaching OF
their fellow prisoners, and with proper head
"A very beneficial system OF teaching and O
schools could be established.
, THE CONTRACT AND THE WARDEN SYSTEM
, The committee found the prison well kep
r and believe that the contractors fulnll thel
| contract and give as good satisfaction and ser
/ | vice as can be obtained under the cOntrae
I system Your committee further believes tina
( | il is the most economical method that can b
3 pursued by tine state in the care OF its convlcts
r | but your committee is OF the opinion that tn
| reformatory part OF our states prison system
| is necessarily entirely neglected under the con
! | tract plan and we recommend that as soon a
I, | the finances OF the state will permit that
/ | warden should b. appointed. in order that tn
a rcformatory Idea may be adopted and so plac
J Montana In line with other states in the lauda
bic effort to reform the prisoners under TN
, | care OF the state. (Signed)
! GEORGE VI. HATCH. Chairman.
Y W. X. FLowERREE,
Y A. l.. LOVE,