East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-08-18
IMPROVEMENTS IN State PENITENTARY

The Capital Journal of Salem,
prints the following complimentary
and thorough review Of conditions in
oGegon's penitentiary under Cover
ror Chamberlain's administration;
A Capital Journal reporter and
some ladies went through the PARTS ~
the oregon state prison that are usu-
ally shown to visitors, and all were
very much pleased at the management
Of this institution. We did not visit
the shops where iron mouldings and
stoves were being made, but saw the
different wards. the kitchen and COM
missary, and yards where the men
are at work and exercise.
Superintendent James and his men
seem to work in perfect harmony and
TO have the control, confidence and
respect of those under them, while
Mrs. James and her daughters take
kindly and intelligent interest in the
care of the women prisoners.
Room for More Prisoners.
on saturday there were S92 pris-
oners registered as present in the
state prison. There are cells for
about 100 more, but the attendance
has been about stationary for the past
year. The number of women has also
remained unchanged, there being still
three, the most that have ever been
in the prison at one time.
One of the women is in for life on
conviction for murder. one for nine
years for arson, and one for three
years for perjury--a colored woman
There are no prisoners in hospital
and have not been for some time
There has not been a case of fever
under the present administration.
One of the first steps taken was to
drain buildings and premises and I'M
prove water supply. Use of dungeons
and capital punishment has been re-
duced to minimum and conduct o.
prisoners was never better. Only one
man was in his cell on the day o.
visit. All are in shops, at road worl
or taking exercise.
The sanitary conditions of prisoner
are improved so that practically nom
are sick. All are well, and thei
habits are so regular, it would be
blessing if there we're no other RENE
dy if some persons who are sick out
side of prison walls were committe,
here to this institution.
Improved by Confinement.
The old idea of the terrible suffer
ing from confinement in a prison
being done away. The morals, healtl
and habits of every man sent here
improved. The men are mostl
young and they learn habits Of regu
larity. economy and industry tha
they never would have learned any
where else. They learn to make shoe
and clothes, work iron and othe
metals, to break rock and build road
and to control their tempers, and t
live and be happy without stimulant!
The old custom of shaving head
and faces and wearing stripes ha
been kept up from time immemoria
Take any man and shave him, eli
his hair and put coarse prison stripe
on him, and he looks like a Villa
and would be taken for a crimini
by anyone not knowing him. 1t is
crime to brand a man with crimina
ity and state prison customs ha'
done a great deal to put men beyor
the pale of reform.
Under the present administratic
humane ideas have been introduce
and there is no evidence that Il
morals and regime and discipline ha
been lowered. In fact, some ha
admitted such progress as has be-
made In the prison would be good
the other institutions although tn