The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-19
He Writes With an Easy Enter
tanning Style.
LIFE In THE PRISON.
Routine Existence of a Convict
Is Described.
Right to Smoke and Abolition
of LOckstep Suggested.

John Collins has bloSsomed out as an
author. From his cell at the peniten-
tiary he has just issued a pamphlet
which he calls "A brief description of
the life of the prisoners in the Kansas
state prison"
His description of life in the prison is
as fellows:
Having been asked to furnish some
information concerning the prisoners in
the Kansas state penitentiary, and from
the point of view of the prisoner him
self, the writer trusts that he may do
something to rectify the prevalent er-
roneous ideas concerning these mat
tiers.
Each man who becomes an inmate
Of the Kansas state penitentiary goes
through the same ordeal He is search
ed for contraband articles and ques-
toned concerning his age, nationality,
takes a bath, dons suit of prison
clothes, is shaved and has his hair clip
ped, is examined by the prison physi-
clan, interviewed by the chaplain, and
assigned to place of work.
Some idea of the nature and variety
of the work performed by the prisoner
may be acquired from the statement
that, among other things, he may be
employed a miner, carpenter, tinker,
farm hand, messenger, night watch
man, Quarryman, butcher, baker, bar
Der, janitOr, waiter, nurse, cook, milk
man. painter. laundryman, road maker.
machinist, electrician, plumber, engi-
neer hOstler, teamster, 'roustabout,'
cObbler, tailor, printer, clerk or libra
rian.
After his first day in prison the
daily routine of the convict Is about
the same. He is awakened at o'clock
in the morning by a steam whistle more
noted for its power than for its melody.
He has breakfast at $50 and is at work
by O'Clock. He has dinner at noon
cell and until 9 o'clock he has his time
for himself. At that hour his light is
turned off and he must retire. On Sum
day he has but two meals. On that
day he attends chapel service in the
morning and, If he so desires, he may
attend Bible school afterwards. y
day school is held on Sunday and he
may join this, or, if he is qualified, he
not have to work and some form of en-
tertainment is provided for him.
the nTiso ge nbr MTyA hook and maga
zine TO read in his cell. If he has musical
prison band or choir. Once each week
he receives from the state an amply pro-
Scribe for such papers and magazines as
he can afford. Once each month he may
ana postage are furnished by the state.
He receives his mail each evening. He
see him. If he is i'll, the prison physician
furnishes him medicine and advice, both
If he is guilty of misconduct his. pun
ishment varies as the gravity OF MS Of
cell, or he may be deprived of some of
his privileges for a time, he may be
placed in a solitary dark cell For each
onense he loses a part Of the good, time
ed from the term of his sentence.
For his work he is paid by the state
at the rate of about $12 per year. Within
certain limits these earnings may be ex-
pended by him as he desires.
When his time expires the state fur
nishes him a new suit of clothes, under
wear, a shirt, hat and a pair of shoes:
His citizenship is restored to him. and
he may take with him as much of his
earnings a he has not expended.
Some of the prisoners are very popu-
lar with their fellows, and others are dis
liked with a remarkable unanimity. When
prisoner attempts to escape, the better
class of prisoners condemn him for his
The men, as a rule. read the newspa-
papers with much interest and are unuSu-
ally well informed concerning the events
of the day. They seem to be especially
interested in local political happenings
The opportunities for legitimate con-
verSation between prisoners are limited,
but the men sometimes discuss the latest
prison gossip. or events in the outside
world. or their own respective prospects
The writer has heard from prisoners
few complaints of their treatment. The
reforms for which they seem to be most
lege of smoking, the adjustment Of the
lock step system of marching and the
establishment of a parole law.
WITHOUT doubt there are men here W;;o
some who should have been born here.
On the other hand. there are unQuestiou-
ably sone men here who will make good
citizens some day The writer believes
better man than he was when ne enter
ed there