Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-08-15
OREGON
STATE
PRISON
Remarkable Sanitary Record
BARS and Stripes
Abolished

A Capital Journal reporter and som,
ladies went through the parts Of the
Oregon state prison that are usually
shown to visitors, and all were very
much pleased at the management Of
this institution. We did not visit the
snops whore iron-mouldings and stoves
we're being made, but saw the different
wards, the kitchen and commissary,
and yards where the men are at work
and exercise. Superintendent James
and his men seem to work in perfect
harmony ind to have the control, con
fdence and respect Of those under
them, while Mrs. James and her daugh-
tiers take a kindly and intelligent in
forest in the care Of the women pris-
oners.
Room for More Prisoners.
On Saturday there were 392 prison.
ers registered as present in the state
prison. There are cells for about a
hundred riore. Init the attendance has
been abont stationary for tho past year.
The number Of women has also remained
Unchanged, .hcEs being stin three, the
most that have ever been in the prison
at one time. Ono Of the women is in
for life on a conviction for murder, one
for nine years for arson, and one for
three years for perjury-a colored wo-
man. There are no prisoners in hos
pital and have not been for some time. d
There has not been a case of fever un- I
der present administration. On OF FIRST u
steps taken was TO drain bull lings and (
and improve water supply. s
Use Of dungeons and capital punish
nent has been reduced TO minimum and
Of prisoners was never bet il
or. Only ono man was in his cell II
the day Of visit. All are in shops, 81
I road work or taking exercise. The e
conditions Of prisoners are inn t.
roved so that practically none are sick. VI
are well, and their habits are 30 W
II would be a blessing IL there er
'ere no other remedy II some persons 4
tho are sick outside Of prison walls nj
'cre committed here. TO this institution. T
Improved BY Oonfinement. IT
The old idea Of the terrible suffer Il
u from confinement in a prison is be- m
Y done away. The morale, health and "a
Of every man sent here is Inn pi
The men are mostly young and CO
,ey lean habits Of regularity, eeono- t
" ana industry that they never would u
ave learned anywhere else. They learn p
, make shoes and clothes, work iron II
MI other metals, 10 break rock and Il
uill roads, and 70 control their tenn p
ers, nnl 90 live and be happy without IL
Iimplants. The old custom Of shaving a
aads aud faces and wearing stripes has p
kept up from time immemorial
AXE aay man and shave him, clip his
AIR and put coarse prison stripes on Il
Ina, and he looks like a william and c
.ould lie taken for a criminal by any a
ne not knowing him. II Is a crime v
/, brand a man with ~criminality and 81
iate prison customs have done a great Il
eRl TO put men beyond the pale Of n
Under thepresent administra- k
on humane ideas have been Introduce r,
nd there is no evidence that the morals "
nd regimen and discipline have been /,
,wered. In fact, some have admitted h
neh progress as has been made in the q
rison would be good in the other insti e
ationz although they might be accom- a
lished without putting Democrats in a
4
Abolisbing Bars and Stripes. 4
The eongregated dining room has /
cen made a success by the present re ,
ime. Two men with winehestors are 4
,ouused in a steel cage over n cor d
Of the dining hall. All prisoners '
admitted to eat together. SO far I
here has never been the slightest at n
ompt az a disturbance. The men, II c
i.